JEFF'S MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FUND
Donation protected
We're trying to raise money to help pay escalating medical cost of my friend Jeffrey Rodd's treatment. Our goal is to raise $25,000.
Jeff, who is married to his wonderful and supportive wife Joanne, is battling a fairly rare form of cancer called GIST (Gastro Intestinal Stromal Tumor). It fallsunder the sarcoma umbrella and in this case has spread so fast surgery is no longer an option. Jeff has gone through four different types of medications including a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. The decision was made to end his participation in the trial in mid May when the scheduled scan so much more growth that it was felt the treatment wasn't working.
The trail was a physical, emotional and financial strain as it required flying to and from NYC every three (3) weeks for 12 weeks. The trail only covered mediation, all tests, blood work, scans, etc. are Jeff's responsibility. He is also working with a naturopath who specializes in oncology. None of the supplements prescribed are covered by insurance. Currently, he is waiting to find out if his insurance will cover a new medication. The new med has a history that offers some optimism, but no coverage could make the expense prohibitive.
He is also expanding his horizons and hopes to see different reputable practitioners with expertise in oncology who are known for thinking outside the box. Some of this may require additional travel and hotel/living expenses.
Jeff and Joanne have two grown children, Evan and Hanna. As you an imagine, cancer hits the entire family. This has been a time of much disappointment: when Jeff's tumors seemed to explode all over three months after his last surgery to the point they were no longer operable; when a scan three months after that showed nearly 100% additional growth; and, more recently being discontinued from the clinical trial. It has also been a time for hope, wanting each treatment to work and holding optimism for successful outcomes.
Hope unfortunately isn't success but new drugs are on the horizon. One is being developed that will be the first specifically engineered for GIST. Up until now, the drugs approved for treatment were developed for other cancers but found to work to varying degrees with GIST. Jeff's first, gleevac, irked well for 14 months. The next three didn't work at all.
Through it all, Jeff has struggled to remain optimistic and as you can imagine, it's been as hard or harder for his wife Joanne. Any help you can see fit to offer will be deeply appreciated. One of the things cancer teaches is humility, as friends, family, and sometimes people you never knew you had a connection to come out and provide comfort and aid. So in advance, thank you for your help. Thanks from the entire Rodd family.
Jeff, who is married to his wonderful and supportive wife Joanne, is battling a fairly rare form of cancer called GIST (Gastro Intestinal Stromal Tumor). It fallsunder the sarcoma umbrella and in this case has spread so fast surgery is no longer an option. Jeff has gone through four different types of medications including a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. The decision was made to end his participation in the trial in mid May when the scheduled scan so much more growth that it was felt the treatment wasn't working.
The trail was a physical, emotional and financial strain as it required flying to and from NYC every three (3) weeks for 12 weeks. The trail only covered mediation, all tests, blood work, scans, etc. are Jeff's responsibility. He is also working with a naturopath who specializes in oncology. None of the supplements prescribed are covered by insurance. Currently, he is waiting to find out if his insurance will cover a new medication. The new med has a history that offers some optimism, but no coverage could make the expense prohibitive.
He is also expanding his horizons and hopes to see different reputable practitioners with expertise in oncology who are known for thinking outside the box. Some of this may require additional travel and hotel/living expenses.
Jeff and Joanne have two grown children, Evan and Hanna. As you an imagine, cancer hits the entire family. This has been a time of much disappointment: when Jeff's tumors seemed to explode all over three months after his last surgery to the point they were no longer operable; when a scan three months after that showed nearly 100% additional growth; and, more recently being discontinued from the clinical trial. It has also been a time for hope, wanting each treatment to work and holding optimism for successful outcomes.
Hope unfortunately isn't success but new drugs are on the horizon. One is being developed that will be the first specifically engineered for GIST. Up until now, the drugs approved for treatment were developed for other cancers but found to work to varying degrees with GIST. Jeff's first, gleevac, irked well for 14 months. The next three didn't work at all.
Through it all, Jeff has struggled to remain optimistic and as you can imagine, it's been as hard or harder for his wife Joanne. Any help you can see fit to offer will be deeply appreciated. One of the things cancer teaches is humility, as friends, family, and sometimes people you never knew you had a connection to come out and provide comfort and aid. So in advance, thank you for your help. Thanks from the entire Rodd family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Gary Nass
Organizer
Seattle, WA
JOANNE RODD
Beneficiary
