My name is Erik Wildanger and I have started this fund for my brother, John Van Putten who was diagnosed in March with Renal Carcinoma which affected both kidneys and lungs. He underwent surgery immediately to remove one of his kidneys and is using immune therapy medicines to treat the other kidney and lungs which have terrible side effects that landed him in the ER.
With the medicines John is using to treat his cancer he has to go off island every 1-2 weeks for tests and infusions. Just recently scans have shown the tumors on his kidney, lungs, and liver have now traveled to his brain. He will be starting radiation therapy to attack these tumors in his brain, also additional treatments for his other organs. Before his diagnoses John has always been very active. He has worked for Stop & Shop in the meat departments for 29 years, has played on the Brewha’s in the Men’s island Softball League for many summers and is always willing to help people with that infectious smile. Since this illness has taken over, John has lost that smile, has stopped playing softball and is unable to work. With all that being said, the financial burden is taking a toll, both physically and emotionally. Between the cost of the medications (some costing as much as $1000), and traveling to Beth Israel Hospital for regular treaments John is having a hard time keeping up financially.

We are looking for your help. John has enormous love and support from his family and friends, but unfortunately that’s not enough.

We are turning to the community to please help my brother, John Van Putten.