Help Brian Beat Cancer
Donation protected
You may know Brian from his stints in Chicago bands such as Rights Of The Accused, Triple Fast Action, or most recently his 14 year gig as the drummer of Local H.
You may also know that Brian has been fighting aggressive prostate cancer since his diagnosis in March, 2014.
Brian began hormone treatment in April, 2014, then underwent chemo every three weeks from June through November, and most recently received daily radiation from January through March of this year. He will remain on hormone treatment indefinitely, as at this stage his cancer is hormone dependent.
The good news: Brian feels good and the cancer has responded well to treatment. At this point his cancer is “inactive” (they don’t say “remission” until it remains inactive for 5 years), and though it was detected in some lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis, it has not spread outside the prostate to adjacent organs or bones, which is great. This is something that will have to be monitored and managed for the rest of his life, but between the systemic treatments and radiation, Brian and his doctors are hopeful.
If you follow him on facebook you know that he’s tolerated treatment extremely well, and has been able to maintain a rigorous tour schedule. He was often on a plane en route to a show the day following chemo, and left for a month-long tour in Australia the day after his final radiation treatment.
The bad news: Even with health insurance, the premiums, co-pays, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses over the last year have become staggering. And even worse -- the Health Insurance Marketplace (where Brian purchased his health insurance as he’s self-employed) had incorrectly signed him up for 2 policies this year, then instructed his health carrier to cancel the wrong policy, leaving the plan he was using, and had paid in full, terminated. While this error is being sorted out, which could take 30 days or longer, Brian, his wife, and their 5 year old twin boys are uninsured, and must pay for necessary prescriptions, doctor visits, and treatments completely out of pocket.
Brian is very appreciative of the support and contributions he’s received so far.
“I would like to thank each and every one of you that have sent messages, downloaded the “Exit Stage Right” video, or offered support since my diagnosis. It really means a lot knowing that people care enough to reach out and offer assistance. Cancer was not in our plans, but the support of our family and friends, makes it much more bearable. I plan to pay it forward…and I thank you!”
Let’s help Brian and his family get through this. Any amount will help. And please share this page with your friends on facebook!
You may also know that Brian has been fighting aggressive prostate cancer since his diagnosis in March, 2014.
Brian began hormone treatment in April, 2014, then underwent chemo every three weeks from June through November, and most recently received daily radiation from January through March of this year. He will remain on hormone treatment indefinitely, as at this stage his cancer is hormone dependent.
The good news: Brian feels good and the cancer has responded well to treatment. At this point his cancer is “inactive” (they don’t say “remission” until it remains inactive for 5 years), and though it was detected in some lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis, it has not spread outside the prostate to adjacent organs or bones, which is great. This is something that will have to be monitored and managed for the rest of his life, but between the systemic treatments and radiation, Brian and his doctors are hopeful.
If you follow him on facebook you know that he’s tolerated treatment extremely well, and has been able to maintain a rigorous tour schedule. He was often on a plane en route to a show the day following chemo, and left for a month-long tour in Australia the day after his final radiation treatment.
The bad news: Even with health insurance, the premiums, co-pays, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses over the last year have become staggering. And even worse -- the Health Insurance Marketplace (where Brian purchased his health insurance as he’s self-employed) had incorrectly signed him up for 2 policies this year, then instructed his health carrier to cancel the wrong policy, leaving the plan he was using, and had paid in full, terminated. While this error is being sorted out, which could take 30 days or longer, Brian, his wife, and their 5 year old twin boys are uninsured, and must pay for necessary prescriptions, doctor visits, and treatments completely out of pocket.
Brian is very appreciative of the support and contributions he’s received so far.
“I would like to thank each and every one of you that have sent messages, downloaded the “Exit Stage Right” video, or offered support since my diagnosis. It really means a lot knowing that people care enough to reach out and offer assistance. Cancer was not in our plans, but the support of our family and friends, makes it much more bearable. I plan to pay it forward…and I thank you!”
Let’s help Brian and his family get through this. Any amount will help. And please share this page with your friends on facebook!
Organizer and beneficiary
Wes Kidd
Organizer
Rochester, MI
Laura St. Clair
Beneficiary
