Huntington Beach Boy with Rare Brain Cancer Finds Community Support

7-year-old Ryder Yaccarino's resilience and positivity inspire 'Ryder's Fight Club' in his hometown.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:22pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Ryder Yaccarino, a 7-year-old boy from Huntington Beach, California, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer called DLGNT on his fourth birthday in 2022. Despite the challenges, Ryder has remained resilient and outgoing, inspiring his community to rally around him through fundraisers, events, and an online support group called 'Ryder's Fight Club'.

Why it matters

Ryder's story highlights the power of community support for families facing devastating health challenges, especially for children with rare and difficult-to-treat conditions. It also showcases Ryder's inspiring spirit and the way his positivity has touched those around him, even in the face of such adversity.

The details

Ryder was diagnosed with a diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor (DLGNT), a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer, shortly after his fourth birthday. The tumor is solid and covers his spine and brain, making it challenging to treat. Despite this, Ryder continues to undergo chemotherapy and is in stable condition, with a focus on maintaining his quality of life. His family has created the 'Ryder's Fight Club' support network, which has organized fundraisers, fitness challenges, and other events to help cover Ryder's medical expenses and provide emotional support.

  • Ryder was diagnosed with DLGNT on his fourth birthday in June 2022.
  • Ryder's latest scans, taken earlier this month, show the tumor in stable condition.

The players

Ryder Yaccarino

A 7-year-old boy from Huntington Beach, California, who was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer called DLGNT on his fourth birthday.

Tara Jaggard Yaccarino

Ryder's mother, who has been documenting his journey and advocating for her son's care.

Ritchie Yaccarino

Ryder's father, who has been supporting the family and the 'Ryder's Fight Club' community.

Indy Yaccarino

Ryder's fraternal twin brother, who has been a supportive sibling throughout Ryder's battle with cancer.

Michael Sperling

The owner of She Rocks Fitness, a local gym that has organized fundraisers and events to support Ryder and his family.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're just trying to do the best that we can to create the most comfort. We just have to survive, right?”

— Tara Jaggard Yaccarino, Ryder's Mother

“I want to do it, because I'm in the position to do it. We're a family ... [Tara] is such an awesome person. She is one of the angels in this world, incredible, to be as positive as she is. She is so uplifting, and I think a lot of people gravitate toward that.”

— Michael Sperling, Owner, She Rocks Fitness

“He's definitely got a strong personality, which is great for someone going through that. He's full of life, and he pushes the envelope and sees what he can get away with. But that's part of being a kid too. He probably gets away with more, because of his condition, but that's better than sitting there being meek or whatever.”

— Sean Wiggins, Ryder's Uncle

What’s next

The family continues to focus on Ryder's quality of life and maintaining his stability through ongoing chemotherapy treatment. The Huntington Beach community will likely continue to rally around the Yaccarino family through additional fundraisers and events to support Ryder's care.

The takeaway

Ryder's story is a testament to the power of community support and the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of devastating illness. His positivity and zest for life have inspired those around him, and his family's determination to provide him with the best possible quality of life is truly inspiring.