Support Steve Balzer: Brain Cancer Relief Fund
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My name is Erin Schlosser. I am starting this GoFundMe on behalf of my sister, Kerry (Brennan) Balzer and her 39-year-old husband, Steve Balzer. Steve is a beloved husband, father, son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend who is rapidly losing his battle to brain cancer. In the same year that Steve and Kerry welcomed new life (their first son) into their beautiful family of four daughters, Steve and Kerry received news no young family should ever have to hear—that Steve had a high-grade glioblastoma (brain tumor) and that he would begin the fight for his own life.
Throughout his diagnosis, Steve has fought faithfully, bravely, and without complaint. Despite all that he was going through, Steve remained determined to provide for his family; unfortunately, that is no longer possible. Steve was recently placed on hospice care as his health continues to decline.
During this extremely difficult time, Steve, Kerry and their five incredible children need to focus on each other and the time they have remaining together. I am asking that we lift up this family and rally behind them as they face the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Let us do everything we can to help remove the financial burden of Steve’s substantial healthcare costs and the dreaded expenses associated with end-of-life. When the time comes, Kerry and the children will need to make many difficult decisions about their future; our ability to lessen the immediate need for this family to worry about where they will live, how they will pay for health insurance, and the emergent need for Kerry to support her family will never be forgotten—this is truly the best way to honor Steve and everything he represents as a husband and father.
On May 31, 2020 (just before his 39th birthday) Steve suffered a seizure while working in his basement; although she did not know it at the time, my sister’s life would forever be changed. She took Steve to the local hospital where they discovered a brain tumor roughly the size of a golf ball. Steve, who was otherwise healthy, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital via helicopter and days later underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor. For friends and family, the tiniest of joys occurred just before Steve’s surgery—Kerry and Steve announced from Steve’s hospital room that they were expecting their fifth child.
Since his brain surgery in June 2020, Steve has endured 6 weeks of radiation followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. Steve was hospitalized in December of 2020 and then again in March of 2021 after experiencing increased confusion and fatigue. Each MRI revealed “swelling” where the tumor had been. Over time the swelling has become increasingly difficult to control. The treatment for the brain tumor and the resulting swelling has dramatically affected Steve’s short-term memory, body strength, and overall quality of life. On May 19, 2021 Kerry was told the most recent MRI indicated Steve’s glioblastoma tumor had returned; with great sadness, Kerry was told Steve may only have an estimated one month to live.
Steve and Kerry vowed to love each other “for better, for worse…in sickness and in health” on a beautiful Fall day in October of 2004. Since their oldest daughter was born, Kerry remained home to care for her family and home while Steve was the sole supporter of the family financially.
I have witnessed Steve and Kerry honor their vows to each other in numbers of ways over the years, but none as much as my sister has done during the past 12 months. Despite her personal pain, all of Steve’s doctors’ appointments and treatments, triumphs and setbacks, my sister has tirelessly and selflessly cared for Steve and their children.
Every day she continues to push through her fear and heartache as she slowly watches the “Love of her Life,” and their children’s adoring daddy slip further away. Over the last year this precious family has maintained hope while endlessly fighting the agony of grief by placing their trust in God, praying for a miracle and clinging to the support of family and friends. For reasons unknown to many, God may not answer our prayers to restore Steve; perhaps through this campaign, however, we can still be a part of answered prayers.
I have offered to start this campaign for Kerry and Steve many times over the last few months. However, this is a family that has always been the first to “give” and the last to ask for help. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this. Your financial support is so greatly appreciated and gratefully received.
#supportstevebalzer
Throughout his diagnosis, Steve has fought faithfully, bravely, and without complaint. Despite all that he was going through, Steve remained determined to provide for his family; unfortunately, that is no longer possible. Steve was recently placed on hospice care as his health continues to decline.
During this extremely difficult time, Steve, Kerry and their five incredible children need to focus on each other and the time they have remaining together. I am asking that we lift up this family and rally behind them as they face the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Let us do everything we can to help remove the financial burden of Steve’s substantial healthcare costs and the dreaded expenses associated with end-of-life. When the time comes, Kerry and the children will need to make many difficult decisions about their future; our ability to lessen the immediate need for this family to worry about where they will live, how they will pay for health insurance, and the emergent need for Kerry to support her family will never be forgotten—this is truly the best way to honor Steve and everything he represents as a husband and father.
On May 31, 2020 (just before his 39th birthday) Steve suffered a seizure while working in his basement; although she did not know it at the time, my sister’s life would forever be changed. She took Steve to the local hospital where they discovered a brain tumor roughly the size of a golf ball. Steve, who was otherwise healthy, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital via helicopter and days later underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor. For friends and family, the tiniest of joys occurred just before Steve’s surgery—Kerry and Steve announced from Steve’s hospital room that they were expecting their fifth child.
Since his brain surgery in June 2020, Steve has endured 6 weeks of radiation followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. Steve was hospitalized in December of 2020 and then again in March of 2021 after experiencing increased confusion and fatigue. Each MRI revealed “swelling” where the tumor had been. Over time the swelling has become increasingly difficult to control. The treatment for the brain tumor and the resulting swelling has dramatically affected Steve’s short-term memory, body strength, and overall quality of life. On May 19, 2021 Kerry was told the most recent MRI indicated Steve’s glioblastoma tumor had returned; with great sadness, Kerry was told Steve may only have an estimated one month to live.
Steve and Kerry vowed to love each other “for better, for worse…in sickness and in health” on a beautiful Fall day in October of 2004. Since their oldest daughter was born, Kerry remained home to care for her family and home while Steve was the sole supporter of the family financially.
I have witnessed Steve and Kerry honor their vows to each other in numbers of ways over the years, but none as much as my sister has done during the past 12 months. Despite her personal pain, all of Steve’s doctors’ appointments and treatments, triumphs and setbacks, my sister has tirelessly and selflessly cared for Steve and their children.
Every day she continues to push through her fear and heartache as she slowly watches the “Love of her Life,” and their children’s adoring daddy slip further away. Over the last year this precious family has maintained hope while endlessly fighting the agony of grief by placing their trust in God, praying for a miracle and clinging to the support of family and friends. For reasons unknown to many, God may not answer our prayers to restore Steve; perhaps through this campaign, however, we can still be a part of answered prayers.
I have offered to start this campaign for Kerry and Steve many times over the last few months. However, this is a family that has always been the first to “give” and the last to ask for help. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this. Your financial support is so greatly appreciated and gratefully received.
#supportstevebalzer
Fundraising team: Balzer Family Support Team (4)
Erin Schlosser
Organizer
Decatur, IL
Kerry Balzer
Beneficiary
Brea Balzer
Team member
Chris Dausman
Team member
Bill Brennan
Team member
JAMEY WARE
Team member