Our Friend Dean's Cancer Fight
Donation protected
Our friend Dean (and a beloved friend of so many) is 47 years old, married to his love, Stacy, and father of their 17 year old son, Nathan (we call him Dean’s “mini-me”). Dean was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on October 12, 2017. He has also lived with type 1 diabetes most of his life, though you would never know it as Dean’s conversations are always upbeat, filled with fun or philosophical musings. He’s not one to let a disease of any kind hold him down.
If you know Dean, you know that he is a very special human being. A long-time member of PM&L Theatre in Antioch, he has delighted audiences (and his fellow cast members) with his talent, his positive spirit, and sense of whimsy. Along with being a “triple-threat” performer, he plays piano and organ for both the theatre and his church, has a Master’s Degree in teaching, with a concentration (and a passion!) for middle school Science. Dean has no enemies – he is a positive, child-at-heart yet wise spirit, who makes friends wherever he goes, adults and children alike.
He underwent surgery to remove the tumor that perforated his colon on October 12, which is when he received the cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, the surgery was successful. But after other tests, it was discovered on October 17 that the cancer had metastasized in the liver. As a result, Dean has begun to undergo up to 6 months of chemotherapy.
Because of this, he has been able to work only part-time, and cannot yet apply for his full teaching license with all of the expenses and time needed for his cancer treatments. His wife Stacy has also had/has to take a great deal of time off work, some of it unpaid, in order to support Dean through surgery and chemo treatments. They were hit with two $5,000 deductible payments within the last few months, along with other bills and lost pay. The family’s money is getting tighter and tighter, and they need our help. (They didn’t ask – we offered.)
Dean is one of the most selfless and truly kind people I have ever met. He volunteers a large portion of his time and talent at the theatre and at church (along with Stacy and Nathan), and would give both his family and his friends all that he is capable of.
Now, it's time that we give back some of that love and support to Dean. Anything you can donate – whether it’s $5 or $100 -- will be truly appreciated. Everything we can do to help them and surround Dean and the Griffiths family with love is what is most important so he can focus on beating this thing. Please spread the word.
We, Dean’s friends, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. <3
#cancersucks #fuckcancer
If you know Dean, you know that he is a very special human being. A long-time member of PM&L Theatre in Antioch, he has delighted audiences (and his fellow cast members) with his talent, his positive spirit, and sense of whimsy. Along with being a “triple-threat” performer, he plays piano and organ for both the theatre and his church, has a Master’s Degree in teaching, with a concentration (and a passion!) for middle school Science. Dean has no enemies – he is a positive, child-at-heart yet wise spirit, who makes friends wherever he goes, adults and children alike.
He underwent surgery to remove the tumor that perforated his colon on October 12, which is when he received the cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, the surgery was successful. But after other tests, it was discovered on October 17 that the cancer had metastasized in the liver. As a result, Dean has begun to undergo up to 6 months of chemotherapy.
Because of this, he has been able to work only part-time, and cannot yet apply for his full teaching license with all of the expenses and time needed for his cancer treatments. His wife Stacy has also had/has to take a great deal of time off work, some of it unpaid, in order to support Dean through surgery and chemo treatments. They were hit with two $5,000 deductible payments within the last few months, along with other bills and lost pay. The family’s money is getting tighter and tighter, and they need our help. (They didn’t ask – we offered.)
Dean is one of the most selfless and truly kind people I have ever met. He volunteers a large portion of his time and talent at the theatre and at church (along with Stacy and Nathan), and would give both his family and his friends all that he is capable of.
Now, it's time that we give back some of that love and support to Dean. Anything you can donate – whether it’s $5 or $100 -- will be truly appreciated. Everything we can do to help them and surround Dean and the Griffiths family with love is what is most important so he can focus on beating this thing. Please spread the word.
We, Dean’s friends, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. <3
#cancersucks #fuckcancer
Organizer and beneficiary
Donna Abear
Organizer
Antioch, IL
Stacy Griffiths
Beneficiary
