The COVID-19 pandemic is not only taking a toll on people who contract the virus, but also those who have been fighting a disease prior.  

9-month-old Kian Finnegan from Syracuse has been battling brain cancer for four months now.

“My new mantra has been 'just try to be as tough as Kian,'” said Kian’s mom, Adrienne Finnegan. “When you see the strength he puts into every day, it helps you kind of buck up and say, ‘alright, we’ve got this. We’re going to do this.’”

Kian Finnegan was dealt a tough hand in life, but he won’t let it define his future, even at 9 months old.

He’s been trying to beat a cancerous brain tumor called Ependymoma since January at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.

“He’s getting more and more awake and aware every day,” said Adrienne. “It’s wonderful to see he’s using his hands and smiling. It’s been a battle. We’ve had a number of trips back and forth to the ICU.”

Adrienne said he’s currently in the ICU.

He just had an emergency surgery after getting an infection and will have one more. Then, he’ll go back to receiving chemotherapy.

But Kian’s journey to recovery has become harder because of the pandemic.

“The hospital has been great at helping us feel safe,” said Adrienne. “But, it’s a whole new level of anxiety.”

Besides fearing Kian’s safety, Adrienne said they lost most of their support system because of social distancing.

The pandemic also put Kian’s discharge process on hold, the chance for the Finnegans to reunite.

“We’re going to and it’s going to be wonderful,” said Adrienne. “I miss my family. I miss us being together. This was a really horrible turn of events.”

But it’s just another obstacle the Finnegan four will overcome.

For the latest on Kian’s journey and to support the family, go to their GoFundMe page