COVID diagnosis helps find brain tumor in Long Island child

[anvplayer video=”5162061″ station=”998132″]

William Long, 2, has a smile to light up a room.

It’s a smile that makes his parents feel lucky despite the struggle they have just endured.

The toddler underwent brain surgery two months ago to remove a cancerous tumor. That tumor was discovered because of COVID, said doctors.

After William contracted COVID in 2021 at 8-months-old, his fever caused him to suffer a seizure.

After a year of testing and monitoring, that abnormality was diagnosed as an egg-sized brain tumor.
The devastation came with a glimmer of hope. Thanks to COVID, the tumor had been caught early. If it hadn’t been caught right away, there are concerns it would have been inoperable.

Doctors will have to monitor William’s brain for the next 10 years to make sure the tumor doesn’t return, but he’s expected to have a normal life.

See William in action now as a happy 2-year-old by watching the video from WNBC in New York City.