My name is Don Stahl and I'm creating this GoFundMe page in hopes that we can come together to help one of my oldest and best friends, Steve Burns.
First, a little back story-
I've known Steve since 1995 when I moved to Clearwater, FL and was working at Linens n' Things in Tampa. Steve was (at that time) the Store Manager of the Clearwater location and we developed a friendship over the phone when requesting product to be transferred from store to store. It was evident to me from our very first conversation that he is a "one of a kind" with a sense of humor like nobody else I had ever met. (Everybody who knows him will say the very same thing.)
I ended up working with him in Clearwater for a couple of years until that store closed and we both transferred to different stores in Florida.
And although miles separated us, we always stayed in contact with each other. Those of you in retail know how rare that is..
Steve decided to move to Colorado in 2005 (on my recommendation) and not long after, in 2006, I followed behind. Steve was working as a Corporate Store Manager with Hallmark Cards and upon his recommendation, I soon found myself working for the very same company, a job that I held for the next 9 years. I'll be forever grateful to him for putting his reputation on the line for me.
A few years ago, Steve left Denver and moved to Portland, then to D.C., followed by his most recent move to Dallas, TX.
Recently Steve was diagnosed with Melanoma, which rapidly spread to his lymph system. After scans from every machine in the Oncology dept, he had an extensive surgery in August where the surgeon had to remove a portion of his head on his left side and also required him to cut down past the left ear down into Steve's lymph node. A skin graft also had to be removed from the top of one of his thighs to cover the piece taken out of his head.
I was down in Dallas with him when the surgeon took the bandage off of his head. His surgeon felt very confident that he had found it all and removed it. That was great news and we left relieved.
The next part is this-Interferon treatment. Injections5 days/week for 4 weeks at his Oncologist's office. Then 3 days/week for another 48 weeks They have to surgically install a port in his body before this all can start. (Yes, this means another surgery.) Then he'll have to have a PET scan every 3 months for a year then every 6 months for the rest of his life.
Steve is, without a doubt, one of my oldest and dearest friends on this earth and there's nothing I wouldn't do for him. I'm asking for each and everyone of you who've been touched by Steve's humor and spirit to give something to help him get through this. His hospital bills are already reaching an astronomical level. Much more than anyone could imagine.
Please give. Please share. If you can fly down and visit or help in any way, please do.
And please keep Steve and his recovery in your thoughts and prayers.
I look forward to seeing what we can do together to help our friend who is in very desperate need at this time in his life.
We love you, Steve Burns, and we're going to help you get through this and support you in any way we can.