- S
- N
- A
Hello. I'm Marian Green , Nathan's mom. On October 20, 2020, Nathan heard what no leukemia survivor wants to hear, “the leukemia is back”. It had been in remission for 8 years and returned just when his life was beginning to take flight. I’ve created this campaign so that Nathan doesn’t have to worry about the cost of recovering. So that he can focus ONLY on beating leukemia...again, once and for all…forever.
It’s hard to believe that only a year ago, Nathan attended an event for StupidCancer.org. (#StupidCancer is an organization that provides support and resources for a unique group of cancer patients and survivors: the Adolescent and Young Adult community.) Nathan was finally feeling healthy and strong, and he was ready to dive into moving his life forward. That trip to NYC got him going! This past year has been brilliant! Nathan embraced every opportunity (like volunteering as production assistant for the movie #We Burn Like This), was loving his life, protecting his hard won health, and making plans for the future. He was finally able to hike with his friends, was learning how to play golf (he loves it), play the guitar, and had become a valuable member of the production team of the TV show #Yellowstone. He has plans to move to a new city and progress with the career and life he imagines.
It’s hard to believe that, on October 20th, his life turned upside down and back around.
Nathan (aka #NateTheGreat, his childhood moniker) was first diagnosed with ALL, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, in 2011 at age 17. He was a junior in high school. He kept smiling through 2 and a half years of chemotherapy, and then battled for health after particular chemo drugs crippled him with AVN (avascular necrosis), a debilitating and painful degeneration of the bones in his hips, his knees, his elbows and his shoulders. He smiled through a double knee replacement, surgery on his elbows, and lives with degenerated shoulders. His smile has broadened to a grin this past year! Through it all, this young man, my son, #NateTheGreat, has maintained his keen sense of humor, brought joy to everyone around him, endured chronic pain without complaint, and has stayed in remission for 8 years.
At the beginning of October, Nathan had a week off of work from the set of Yellowstone. He was tired. He attributed it to 12-hour days creating memorable sets for the TV show. He came back to Billings and was exposed to COVID. He quarantined. He got tested. Negative. After the 14-day quarantine, he got ready to go back to work. He was still tired. Had an occasional fever. But…he had tested negative. He took a second COVID test, required before going back to work on the production team. Results: negative. He packed to go. But he was still tired and weak. Nathan called his doctor, a complete blood panel was done, and then he called me. “It’s not COVID. The leukemia is back.”
Why is it that this talented, funny, hard-working, wonderful young man has to do this again? Put his dreams and plans on hold again? That’s what went through my mind. Nathan, however, just got to work. He quickly set the tone for the days and months ahead: “I’ll get through it. I’m not worried.” He told his 7 and 8-year-old nephews, who love him deeply, about the cancer in a way that they didn’t worry. His courage and confidence infuses everyone around him.
#NateTheGreat
Nathan’s first appointment with his oncologist was scheduled for a Monday, 6 days after the diagnosis. But, his blood counts were doubling every day, so his oncologist here in Billings quickly contacted UCHealth in Denver, got everything in order, and directed Nathan to be at the hospital in Denver “in 24 hours.” He is in the best of care at University of Colorado Health Center. He spent 2 and a half weeks in the hospital, where he began his 28-day 24/7 immunotherapy of Blincyto. He completed the 28-day regimen as an outpatient in Billings. He's learned to change the bag and the pump battery when it’s time. He rests and perseveres through his discomfort and fatigue. He goes back to Denver two or three more times in December, which is difficult because he’s very uncomfortable and requires a wheelchair. The next step, if he’s gone into remission (prayers), is a bone marrow transplant, after which he’ll stay in Denver for 3 to 4 months. Two of his siblings are potential matches. If they cannot serve as his donor, the transplant center will begin a national search for an unrelated donor. As I write this, I don’t know exactly the schedule for his transplant: it depends on the results of his bone marrow biopsy. He must be remission. It’s currently scheduled for December 23rd. But I do know, if all goes as planned, this will be the first Christmas without Nathan opening presents by the tree; he’ll be at UC Health Center, and due to COVID, he’s allowed one visitor per day.
The bills and travel costs are already mounting, and I’m reaching out to you for help. Nathan’s so amazing! He will beat this, and any help you can give will help – even a dollar. The Blincyto immunotherapy alone costs $1000 per bag, which is changed every 48 hours. Bone marrow transplantation procedure costs average between $100,000 - $300,00 per patient. Other expenses include transportation expenses to and from Denver prior to the transplant; housing, food and incidentals in Denver after his bone marrow transplant; food, travel and lodging expenses for the bone marrow donor, who will need to be in Denver for 6 days; and help with travel expenses for family members so that Nathan has family around him.
On behalf of Nathan’s family, I thank you for your generosity, for caring through your kind gift. For allowing Nathan to concentrate only on beating Leukemia, Again and Forever. Your support will have a positive impact on my son’s life.
#GoNateGreen !
It’s hard to believe that only a year ago, Nathan attended an event for StupidCancer.org. (#StupidCancer is an organization that provides support and resources for a unique group of cancer patients and survivors: the Adolescent and Young Adult community.) Nathan was finally feeling healthy and strong, and he was ready to dive into moving his life forward. That trip to NYC got him going! This past year has been brilliant! Nathan embraced every opportunity (like volunteering as production assistant for the movie #We Burn Like This), was loving his life, protecting his hard won health, and making plans for the future. He was finally able to hike with his friends, was learning how to play golf (he loves it), play the guitar, and had become a valuable member of the production team of the TV show #Yellowstone. He has plans to move to a new city and progress with the career and life he imagines.
It’s hard to believe that, on October 20th, his life turned upside down and back around.
Nathan (aka #NateTheGreat, his childhood moniker) was first diagnosed with ALL, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, in 2011 at age 17. He was a junior in high school. He kept smiling through 2 and a half years of chemotherapy, and then battled for health after particular chemo drugs crippled him with AVN (avascular necrosis), a debilitating and painful degeneration of the bones in his hips, his knees, his elbows and his shoulders. He smiled through a double knee replacement, surgery on his elbows, and lives with degenerated shoulders. His smile has broadened to a grin this past year! Through it all, this young man, my son, #NateTheGreat, has maintained his keen sense of humor, brought joy to everyone around him, endured chronic pain without complaint, and has stayed in remission for 8 years.
At the beginning of October, Nathan had a week off of work from the set of Yellowstone. He was tired. He attributed it to 12-hour days creating memorable sets for the TV show. He came back to Billings and was exposed to COVID. He quarantined. He got tested. Negative. After the 14-day quarantine, he got ready to go back to work. He was still tired. Had an occasional fever. But…he had tested negative. He took a second COVID test, required before going back to work on the production team. Results: negative. He packed to go. But he was still tired and weak. Nathan called his doctor, a complete blood panel was done, and then he called me. “It’s not COVID. The leukemia is back.”
Why is it that this talented, funny, hard-working, wonderful young man has to do this again? Put his dreams and plans on hold again? That’s what went through my mind. Nathan, however, just got to work. He quickly set the tone for the days and months ahead: “I’ll get through it. I’m not worried.” He told his 7 and 8-year-old nephews, who love him deeply, about the cancer in a way that they didn’t worry. His courage and confidence infuses everyone around him.
#NateTheGreat
Nathan’s first appointment with his oncologist was scheduled for a Monday, 6 days after the diagnosis. But, his blood counts were doubling every day, so his oncologist here in Billings quickly contacted UCHealth in Denver, got everything in order, and directed Nathan to be at the hospital in Denver “in 24 hours.” He is in the best of care at University of Colorado Health Center. He spent 2 and a half weeks in the hospital, where he began his 28-day 24/7 immunotherapy of Blincyto. He completed the 28-day regimen as an outpatient in Billings. He's learned to change the bag and the pump battery when it’s time. He rests and perseveres through his discomfort and fatigue. He goes back to Denver two or three more times in December, which is difficult because he’s very uncomfortable and requires a wheelchair. The next step, if he’s gone into remission (prayers), is a bone marrow transplant, after which he’ll stay in Denver for 3 to 4 months. Two of his siblings are potential matches. If they cannot serve as his donor, the transplant center will begin a national search for an unrelated donor. As I write this, I don’t know exactly the schedule for his transplant: it depends on the results of his bone marrow biopsy. He must be remission. It’s currently scheduled for December 23rd. But I do know, if all goes as planned, this will be the first Christmas without Nathan opening presents by the tree; he’ll be at UC Health Center, and due to COVID, he’s allowed one visitor per day.
The bills and travel costs are already mounting, and I’m reaching out to you for help. Nathan’s so amazing! He will beat this, and any help you can give will help – even a dollar. The Blincyto immunotherapy alone costs $1000 per bag, which is changed every 48 hours. Bone marrow transplantation procedure costs average between $100,000 - $300,00 per patient. Other expenses include transportation expenses to and from Denver prior to the transplant; housing, food and incidentals in Denver after his bone marrow transplant; food, travel and lodging expenses for the bone marrow donor, who will need to be in Denver for 6 days; and help with travel expenses for family members so that Nathan has family around him.
On behalf of Nathan’s family, I thank you for your generosity, for caring through your kind gift. For allowing Nathan to concentrate only on beating Leukemia, Again and Forever. Your support will have a positive impact on my son’s life.
#GoNateGreen !