anni's story
Anni's Army Foundation was started by Mark and Lynn Meier to honor their daughter Annika. Annika
(Anni) was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor on June 30, 2021. Medulloblastoma is a
brain tumor of the cerebellum, which controls balance and coordinated movements, and is found
near the brainstem in a region called the posterior fossa at the back of the brain. This fast-growing
tumor can spread to other areas of the brain and spinal cord through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). About
500 children in the United States per year are diagnosed with a medulloblastoma tumor. To us, that is
500 too many.
After a 12-hour brain surgery on July 2, 2021 to remove the tumor, Anni developed posterior fossa
syndrome. Children with posterior fossa syndrome usually have a collection of symptoms. The most
prominent symptom is limited or loss of speech. Although children lack expressive speech, they may
be able to process and understand information. Other symptoms of posterior fossa syndrome include
changes in speech, movement, emotions, and behavior. The syndrome develops in roughly 25% of all
children who have brain surgery. Posterior fossa syndrome is not completely understood. Doctors
don’t know exactly why this condition affects some children and not others. Although certain factors
may increase the risk, posterior fossa syndrome cannot be predicted ahead of time. There is no known
cure for posterior fossa syndrome, and the course of recovery varies widely.
After brain surgery, 31 radiation treatments, six intensive chemotherapy regimens and learning how
to swallow/eat, talk and walk again Annika was unfortunately diagnosed with radiation necrosis in
May 2022. Radiation necrosis is a very rare, but devastating side effect of high-dose radiation that
results in permanent death of brain tissue. Annika’s necrosis site was at her brainstem and has caused
severe deconditioning and a permanent quadriplegia diagnosis. After another inpatient admission at
Mary Free Bed during the fall of 2022, we transitioned her to intensive outpatient rehab. After two
years of homebound schooling, Annika was THRILLED to return to in-person schooling for 8th grade in
August 2023 on a modified school day, taking core and elective classes and continuing with outpatient
rehab.
Unfortunately, recurrence was confirmed in May 2024. There is no cure for recurrent
medulloblastoma, only maintenance therapy. Annika had a chemo port placed in her chest as well as
an Ommaya reservoir in her head and in June 2024 started on MEMMAT chemo (a yearlong treatment
protocol that is designed to prevent new tumors from forming by cutting off their blood supply). She
was grateful to be able to be in school for her freshman year, continuing a modified school day taking
core and elective classes and was amazingly supported by the staff at Rockford Freshman Center and
Rockford High School.
Treatment was completed in June 2025 and as of September 2025, significant progression was
confirmed in both the brain and spine. Unfortunately, since recurrence was confirmed in May 2024,
we lived with the painful understanding there was no stopping this train altogether, but we were
successful for a long while in slowing it. We were so fortunate to arrange to get her to her first big time
concert (Nate Smith and Jason Aldean) in September 2025, a Michigan football game (with sideline
passes) in October 2025 and perhaps most exciting, she was able to fly on a plane piloted by her
brother Cam in October 2025. Annika continued to shine her light on all and remained peaceful,
optimistic, sassy and grateful, with the most beautiful quality of life until her passing at home on May
5, 2026.
Annika will forever be desperately missed by her loving parents Mark and Lynn and her brothers Cam
and Bode, her grandparents, many special aunts, uncles and cousins, friends, teachers and caregivers
and thousands of supporters across the world along with her golden retriever, Tucker.
She is now free from pain and disability, running and dancing with those that have gone before. We
gaze forward to the time we will be reunited in the beautiful kingdom of heaven. Until then, we know
Annika is with us and her kind, funny, energetic, empathetic, warrior spirit lives on! When you see a
rainbow, a snowflake, a puppy or a baby think fondly of our girl because she will be thinking fondly of
you!
Anni's Army Foundation was formed to raise money for the research of medulloblastoma tumors and
other pediatric cancers and make a positive impact on the community.