Caleb Steffen Medical & Travel Expense Support
Anyone who has faced a cancer diagnosis, or who has had a loved one that has fought the battle, knows first hand how emotionally and financially devastating it can be. Now, think about what it must feel like to be going through it for a second time. That is exactly what Caleb Steffen has been confronted with at 20 years old.
At just 4 years old Caleb was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL T Cell), and endured two years of treatment. In 2007, Caleb was considered cured of Leukemia. He is now 20 years old and has led a full life since treatment concluded. At Redding Christian School, Caleb graduated as valedictorian of his 2019 class, was active in the performing arts, played football, threw shotput and discus in track and field, and was a student council leader. He has also served his local church in a variety of ways including through several short-term mission trips to Mexicali, Mexico. also has an incredible knack at baking, and if you've never had his homemade biscotti, you're missing out!
After moving with his family from southeastern Wisconsin to northern California in 2014, Caleb continued to attend Camp One Step near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin every summer. Since first attending at age 7, he has made life long friends with several pediatric cancer survivors and counselors/mentors. He hopes to still serve as a virtual counselor-in-training this summer.
Caleb is presently enrolled nursing school at George Fox University near Portland, Oregon. He is a great student and last year was invited to be a teaching assistant in Anatomy and Physiology. He was recently asked to also TA Pharmacology starting next fall.
Imagine the shock and awe of Caleb's 2nd cancer diagnosis?!! For anyone who knows and loves Caleb, this news has been hard to absorb because he has been so healthy and strong for the past 14 years. Caleb had oral surgery on May 12th in Redding. It should have been routine but there has been nothing routine about a toothache that started during finals week in late April. After having 2 teeth (a wisdom and molar) pulled, they now suspect a type of sarcoma lurking in his sinus cavity had the space and blood flow it needed to really take off. After follow-up with his periodontist and then a biopsy with a local oral/maxillofacial MD, Caleb had a cancer diagnosis by Monday May 24th.
By Friday May 28th, a team of ENTs at UC-Davis removed a little less than a baseball size mass that had rapidly grown in his upper right jaw filling his sinus cavity and much of his mouth. Currently they are staging a series of procedures and additional tests to ready Caleb for his first chemotherapy treatment, while simultaneously attempting to keep his pain controlled. He remains inpatient at UC-Davis for the time being as they work with his oncology team to develop a treatment plan expected to last upwards of 36+ weeks.
Caleb's parents, Brian and Nancy, have been alternating staying at UC Davis with Caleb, and the expected treatment plan will require bi-weekly trips to Davis. In addition to some substantial out of pocket medical expenses, the Steffen's will have to travel to Davis from Redding on a regular basis, and when Caleb is able to return to college it is anticipated that he will require some extra help.
Please help us lighten the load for this amazing family! The money raised with this campaign will be put towards out of pocket hospital and medication expenses, travel expenses, hotel costs, assistance for Nancy and Brian with anticipated time off work and of course support for Caleb once he is able to rejoin his peers on his college campus. This is going to be a long journey for the Steffen's, and although they are incredibly strong and resilient, we want to return to them all the love and support they have given their family, friends, and community for as long as we have known them. Please keep Caleb, Brian, Nancy and Audrey in your thoughts. If you'd like to keep updated on Caleb's treatment and progress, please sign up for regular updates here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calebsteffen