2 Cancers, 1 Fight: Len's Battle for Recovery

Our family is walking a road we never imagined. 3 months ago (in May, 2025), Len, my dad, was diagnosed with what we thought was an early-stage throat cancer. It wasn't until his throat surgery to remove what we thought was a small tumor did we learn the devastating truth: it was stage 4.

Len has already fought through the first phase of treatment—weeks of daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy. The side effects have been grueling: difficulty eating and swallowing, tube feeding (first through the nose, now in a stomach port), changes to his voice, and exhaustion from the sheer toll of treatment. Wendy, my mom, has been by his side through it all, becoming his caregiver basically overnight. And yet, through it all, they have pushed forward with courage and determination.

We are optimistic that the treatment for this cancer has been effective and we have early indicators to celebrate. We are also deeply thankful to the American Cancer Society and Hope Lodge - where Wendy and Lenny have been able to stay (for FREE) - while Len has undergone his daily treatment at the Perelman Center at Penn Medical. The doctors, nurses, and medical professionals at Penn have become an important part of our lives. I can't tell you how thankful I am to them for saving Len's life.

But alongside this fight, Len is facing a second, unrelated cancer: chondrosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, evident on his left scapula and humerus. Unlike his throat cancer, this one does not respond to radiation or chemotherapy. Treating it will require the surgical removal of one of his shoulder bones, followed by a long and difficult recovery. There are many unknowns still ahead.

Right now, neither Len nor my mom is able to work. We have sought out and applied for every program we can find, and counting. We are waiting for Social Security Disability benefits to process, but that could take several more months, even with a compassionate allowance that omits the waiting period once approved. The processing time alone (before approval!) averages over 150 days in Pennsylvania. Our family has come together to cover housing, food, medical, and transportation costs as much as possible, but the financial strain of ongoing treatment is simply too heavy to carry alone.

We're faced with thousands of dollars of medical bills (even including a helicopter ride to an emergency surgery following a complication), mounting monthly bills, etc.

We are asking for help so Len and my mom can focus on what matters most: getting through treatment and recovery. Your generosity will go directly toward essentials in this order: rent, utilities, food, and medical bills.

Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. It not only lightens their financial burden but also surrounds Len and our family with hope and community during this fight. If you’re unable to give, sharing this campaign or offering your prayers and encouragement means the world.

From our family to yours, thank you for helping us shoulder this weight. With your support, Len can continue his fight with strength, dignity, and hope for healing.