Brian's Epic Battle Against Cancer
Donation protected
Hello Friends and Family,
At the end of September, Brian was admitted to the hospital for abdominal pain and was told by doctors after surgery that they had found a tumor in his abdomen, that it had spread, and that it was stage four cancer. After a multitude of tests and many nights in the hospital, Brian officially received his diagnosis: Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), an aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancer which had also spread to his stomach lining. He was swiftly transferred to Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City to receive treatment in hopes of battling back the advanced cancer.
Brian began his fight for recovery on October 6th with his first Chemotherapy (a three week cycle). After he has gone through three cycles of treatment, the doctors will once again scan to see if the treatment has been successful. We hope and pray that he will get some great news when those results come back.
Brian has been blessed with a flood of support and prayers from family and friends. Unfortunately, his family members live across the country and though they all wish to be close to him as he goes through treatment over these next 2 months, travel and lodging is both costly and hard to find in New York. To help take care of expenses for his support system, we are hoping to raise $20,000. This money would go directly toward airfare and housing for his family members as well as additional medical supplies and expenses not covered by insurance.
Brian completed his PhD in May at only 32 years old and had just started his career as a professor in September, two weeks before his diagnosis. He teaches master’s level counseling courses and directs the school counseling program. He continues to teach his classes, hoping that he can keep giving back to his profession by training mental health and school counselors to aid others in the community. He also hopes to continue his research on gifted children and how to best support their academic and emotional well-being. Brian’s love for life, learning, adventure and helping others is his inspiration to kick this “unbeatable” cancer in the ass and get back to business. Thank you for your support as Brian and his loved ones start this long journey to recovery!
Much Love,
Kaitlin, Brian and the Team
At the end of September, Brian was admitted to the hospital for abdominal pain and was told by doctors after surgery that they had found a tumor in his abdomen, that it had spread, and that it was stage four cancer. After a multitude of tests and many nights in the hospital, Brian officially received his diagnosis: Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), an aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancer which had also spread to his stomach lining. He was swiftly transferred to Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City to receive treatment in hopes of battling back the advanced cancer.
Brian began his fight for recovery on October 6th with his first Chemotherapy (a three week cycle). After he has gone through three cycles of treatment, the doctors will once again scan to see if the treatment has been successful. We hope and pray that he will get some great news when those results come back.
Brian has been blessed with a flood of support and prayers from family and friends. Unfortunately, his family members live across the country and though they all wish to be close to him as he goes through treatment over these next 2 months, travel and lodging is both costly and hard to find in New York. To help take care of expenses for his support system, we are hoping to raise $20,000. This money would go directly toward airfare and housing for his family members as well as additional medical supplies and expenses not covered by insurance.
Brian completed his PhD in May at only 32 years old and had just started his career as a professor in September, two weeks before his diagnosis. He teaches master’s level counseling courses and directs the school counseling program. He continues to teach his classes, hoping that he can keep giving back to his profession by training mental health and school counselors to aid others in the community. He also hopes to continue his research on gifted children and how to best support their academic and emotional well-being. Brian’s love for life, learning, adventure and helping others is his inspiration to kick this “unbeatable” cancer in the ass and get back to business. Thank you for your support as Brian and his loved ones start this long journey to recovery!
Much Love,
Kaitlin, Brian and the Team
Organizer and beneficiary
Kaitlin Jones
Organizer
Richmond, VA
Brian Kooyman
Beneficiary
