Care for Clinton
Donation protected
When someone you love is diagnosed with cancer, everything you know about life and how it’s supposed to go is thrown into question. It’s not what you imagined—not for your loved one, or for those whose lives are woven so deeply in with theirs. Suddenly, in the face of this cruel and devastating upheaval, you realize how all along, you’ve been subconsciously dreaming up so much for them and for their future. An illness obviously wasn’t a part of those dreams. It feels impossible to make sense of it.
My brother-in-law, Clinton, is 33 years old. He is young, smart, funny, has a generous heart and mind, and is deeply kind. He would probably like you to know that he is also very edgy. He has been married to my sister, Ashley, for four years and they have plans to live a long and beautiful life together. Ever since joining my family, he has made us better as a whole. He enriches my sister’s life, my life, and the life of all who know him. I wonder sometimes when thinking about Clinton how it’s possible for someone to be full of so much good. He’s really a special guy.
He was not supposed to get cancer.
Earlier this year, Clinton developed a cough that would not go away. Considering the pandemic, it seemed likely that he had coronavirus, but after testing negative twice, his doctor began to consider other possibilities. After a chest x-ray and CT scan to rule out cancer, he was told he had pneumonia and was placed on a week of antibiotics. However, his post-antibiotic chest x-ray showed no change and his cough persisted. During this time, my sister would call me with updates – the news progressively getting murkier and more perplexing. Pneumonia was ruled out, so a chest x-ray was performed to determine what was causing the cough. The x-ray revealed a mass in the lower-left lobe of his lung. A biopsy was taken and the results confirmed what we desperately hoped it wasn’t: cancer – stage 3 non-small cell adenocarcinoma (NSCLC).
Because of the unlikeness of this diagnosis at Clinton's age, he was admitted into a clinical trial in which he would receive additional PET scans right before, in the middle of, and at the end of his treatment plan. Treatment (six weeks of radiation and two of chemotherapy) was scheduled to begin on September 2, 2020, but on August 31st the first PET scan in the trial revealed that the cancer had spread a bit further, altering his diagnosis to stage 4. While it is discouraging news that Clinton’s diagnosis has progressed further, the silver lining is that he is eligible for an enhanced form of treatment. Rather than receive chemo and radiation, which kills all the cells (cancer cells and good cells alike), he will be taking an oral drug called Alectinib – a therapy that only targets the cancer cells, leaving his good cells to do the important work that his body desperately needs them to do.
It has been many weeks since he, my sister, and our families have been struggling to accept this life-altering news, and yet it still seems impossible. Time doesn’t seem to help. Even as I write this, a part of my heart and mind is fighting to resist the truth. This isn’t the way it was supposed to go for my sister and Clinton. This wasn’t supposed to be their story.
But here we are. It is their story now, and they could use our help.
Unlike too many in this country (I believe he would want me to mention that), Clinton is fortunate to have health insurance. Even so, cancer treatment is incredibly expensive, and there are costs that will have to come out-of-pocket and will become stifling for him and my sister in a small amount of time.
Many of you have asked how you can help. In times like these, it’s difficult to know exactly what to do – even I am at a loss most of the time. That’s where this GoFundMe comes in. Please give what you can, if you can. If there are remaining funds, Clinton and Ashley would like them to be donated to an organization supporting cancer/healthcare for underserved, BIPOC communities. We are searching for one – so if you have any recommendations, please send them our way.
Here is a break down of the costs:
• $8,000 out of pocket/year
• $2,000+ for fertility
• $2,900/month for Alectinib, Clinton’s medication. (Note: This cost may change. Clinton was approved for co-pay assistance which covers the medication up to $25,000/year. If he needs to be on it long term they will be responsible for $12,000/year) .
• $200/month for help around the house, deliveries and tips (Ashley is a nurse in the NICU and works nights, so they will need an extra hand from time-to-time).
• $380 to cover GoFundMe processing fees (this is roughly 2.9% of the total $13,100 that we estimate they currently need for medical costs).
Despite how impossibly difficult this is, Clinton and my sister remain hopeful. They are beyond grateful for each other, more in love than ever before, and are living each precious day at a time. They are so fortunate to have a wonderful support system and be receiving the best possible care at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. There are many blessings to count – including you.
Thank you for your prayers and endless support. It means everything to us.
Check back here for updates on how things are going.
My brother-in-law, Clinton, is 33 years old. He is young, smart, funny, has a generous heart and mind, and is deeply kind. He would probably like you to know that he is also very edgy. He has been married to my sister, Ashley, for four years and they have plans to live a long and beautiful life together. Ever since joining my family, he has made us better as a whole. He enriches my sister’s life, my life, and the life of all who know him. I wonder sometimes when thinking about Clinton how it’s possible for someone to be full of so much good. He’s really a special guy.
He was not supposed to get cancer.
Earlier this year, Clinton developed a cough that would not go away. Considering the pandemic, it seemed likely that he had coronavirus, but after testing negative twice, his doctor began to consider other possibilities. After a chest x-ray and CT scan to rule out cancer, he was told he had pneumonia and was placed on a week of antibiotics. However, his post-antibiotic chest x-ray showed no change and his cough persisted. During this time, my sister would call me with updates – the news progressively getting murkier and more perplexing. Pneumonia was ruled out, so a chest x-ray was performed to determine what was causing the cough. The x-ray revealed a mass in the lower-left lobe of his lung. A biopsy was taken and the results confirmed what we desperately hoped it wasn’t: cancer – stage 3 non-small cell adenocarcinoma (NSCLC).
Because of the unlikeness of this diagnosis at Clinton's age, he was admitted into a clinical trial in which he would receive additional PET scans right before, in the middle of, and at the end of his treatment plan. Treatment (six weeks of radiation and two of chemotherapy) was scheduled to begin on September 2, 2020, but on August 31st the first PET scan in the trial revealed that the cancer had spread a bit further, altering his diagnosis to stage 4. While it is discouraging news that Clinton’s diagnosis has progressed further, the silver lining is that he is eligible for an enhanced form of treatment. Rather than receive chemo and radiation, which kills all the cells (cancer cells and good cells alike), he will be taking an oral drug called Alectinib – a therapy that only targets the cancer cells, leaving his good cells to do the important work that his body desperately needs them to do.
It has been many weeks since he, my sister, and our families have been struggling to accept this life-altering news, and yet it still seems impossible. Time doesn’t seem to help. Even as I write this, a part of my heart and mind is fighting to resist the truth. This isn’t the way it was supposed to go for my sister and Clinton. This wasn’t supposed to be their story.
But here we are. It is their story now, and they could use our help.
Unlike too many in this country (I believe he would want me to mention that), Clinton is fortunate to have health insurance. Even so, cancer treatment is incredibly expensive, and there are costs that will have to come out-of-pocket and will become stifling for him and my sister in a small amount of time.
Many of you have asked how you can help. In times like these, it’s difficult to know exactly what to do – even I am at a loss most of the time. That’s where this GoFundMe comes in. Please give what you can, if you can. If there are remaining funds, Clinton and Ashley would like them to be donated to an organization supporting cancer/healthcare for underserved, BIPOC communities. We are searching for one – so if you have any recommendations, please send them our way.
Here is a break down of the costs:
• $8,000 out of pocket/year
• $2,000+ for fertility
• $2,900/month for Alectinib, Clinton’s medication. (Note: This cost may change. Clinton was approved for co-pay assistance which covers the medication up to $25,000/year. If he needs to be on it long term they will be responsible for $12,000/year) .
• $200/month for help around the house, deliveries and tips (Ashley is a nurse in the NICU and works nights, so they will need an extra hand from time-to-time).
• $380 to cover GoFundMe processing fees (this is roughly 2.9% of the total $13,100 that we estimate they currently need for medical costs).
Despite how impossibly difficult this is, Clinton and my sister remain hopeful. They are beyond grateful for each other, more in love than ever before, and are living each precious day at a time. They are so fortunate to have a wonderful support system and be receiving the best possible care at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. There are many blessings to count – including you.
Thank you for your prayers and endless support. It means everything to us.
Check back here for updates on how things are going.
Organizer and beneficiary
Alyson Redding
Organizer
Seattle, WA
Ashley Ring
Beneficiary