My Dad's Cancer Battle

My name is Hannah. My Dad, Farrell Silverberg, is a distinguished psychotherapist who has devoted his long career to helping other people live better lives. For more than 40 years, he has cared for his patients and guided other therapists as they began their practices. Now he needs help in continuing his own struggle with a deadly cancer of the esophagus. This GoFundMe is an appeal for the financial help that my Dad urgently needs to treat his disease, sustain his work, and pay exorbitant medical bills.

My father was diagnosed with late-stage cancer in the Spring of last year. At this point, his only treatment option was to remove his esophagus and part of his stomach. He underwent challenging chemotherapy, immunotherapy, lengthy hospitalization, and more procedures to address his inability to swallow and breathe. He has been unable to eat normally, needed a feeding tube, and now struggles to get enough nourishment.

Though he remains mentally strong, he is currently underweight and weak. It hurts so much to see him like this, and I miss the charming, tango-dancing, reliable rock that he had been for our family, his patients, and his students.

He continues to battle against all odds, given this is a highly fatal cancer from which few survive. The out-of-pocket costs of my father’s medical treatments have been enormous. He can only work very limited hours and is losing crucial income. Your support would allow him to continue treatment. Thank you in advance for your generosity and kindness. We are so appreciative of your help and empathy.

Along with his dedication to his patients and students, my father’s devotion to his children (myself and my brother) has further given him the will to survive while I finish graduate school and my brother finishes high school. My Dad had been actively involved in psychotherapy education as well as in other communities ranging from Buddhism to tango (to which he dreams of someday returning).

By giving as generously as you can, you will help my Dad to be able to continue to afford life-saving treatments. Your gift will also express your encouragement for my father and your appreciation of a life well spent helping and healing others.