At just 14, Zoee Foster was diagnosed with Leukemia in August 2023.
Over the next two years, the Palm Coast girl faced life-threatening complications, including septic shock that led to brain abscesses and hydrocephalus.
Zoee spent nearly 100 days in the hospital, fighting to survive and relearning how to walk, speak, and write.
In March 2024, a French Bulldog puppy named Chunk was donated to Zoee through Grey’s Superhero Foundation, a nonprofit that connects pediatric cancer patients with emotional support dogs.
Chunk comforted Zoee in her darkest hours and became a vital part of her recovery, offering comfort and joy through grueling treatments.
But this summer, the roles reversed when Chunk fell gravely ill, according to a GoFundMe post.
After months of emergency vet visits and inconclusive tests, doctors at the University of Florida Small Animal Hospital diagnosed him with severe airway obstruction.
Last month, Chunk underwent surgery to correct his palate, open his nasal passages, and remove tissue blocking his airway. The procedure saved his life but came at a significant financial cost.
With the foundation still growing, both the Foster family and Grey’s Superhero Foundation founder Tari Pacifico of Green Cove Springs—herself the parent of a pediatric cancer survivor—paid out of pocket for Chunk’s care.
Combined medical and travel expenses totaled nearly $5,000, straining families already rebuilding their lives after cancer. Donations are now being sought to help cover veterinary bills, follow-up care, medications, and recovery supplies for Chunk.
Grey’s Superhero Foundation was founded in January 2024, inspired by Pacifico’s son Greyson, who battled aggressive brain cancer with the support of his own French Bulldog, Chip.
His dream was to help other children find the same healing bond he shared with his dog, and that mission continues through stories like Zoee and Chunk’s.
Zoee is scheduled to complete her final chemotherapy treatment next month, at Nemours Children’s Health in Jacksonville.
When she rings the bell to mark the end of her cancer journey, Chunk will be right beside her—her loyal companion and the little dog who helped her heal.
