Crush Cancer With Terry

Lara Burns Maxwell is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Darlene Ford.

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Please help Terry Ford, who has started a clinical trial at MD Anderson to battle malignant melanoma (skin cancer). Terry was once my minister, but will always be my close friend.

HOW I MET TERRY FORD

In 2010, our church was searching for a new minister. One evening, my husband took a prospective minister(Terry) and his wife (Darlene) to dinner, along with my young son, as I was out of town. My husband was impressed with them immediately and even spoke about how well they handled our young son trying to steal the show with silly and embarrassing stories. We made a plan to have them at our house the next evening when I returned from my trip.

We met with Terry and Darlene and introduced them to our daughter, who was 5 years old at the time. While our son was very talkative and didn't know a stranger; our daughter was reserved and a quiet observer, not one to warm to people immediately.

But God was working His plan... after just a few minutes, Ava cuddled up on the couch next to Terry, and carried on a conversation with him, like they were the only 2 people in the room.

What we knew is that Terry and Darlene had flown to our area to meet with our church, as well as another church the following morning. My husband had been given the go-ahead by his committee to offer Terry the job if he felt it was a good fit; which is exactly what he did. After they left our house that evening, my husband was giddy. He knew Terry was the minister we had been searching for, for 2 years. If he was good enough to earn Ava's trust right away, he could do it with our church, as well.

As God's plan was continuing to unfold, Terry called my husband bright and early in the morning. He informed my husband that he had already spoken to the other church and let them know that he wasn't going to interview; he felt he was being called to minister with us at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Liberal, Kansas.

Fast Forward to today...

Terry ministered to our church for 8 years, until he was ready to retire in 2018. He baptized both of our children, and he and Darlene are like another set of Grandparents to them. They have made many lifelong friends in Liberal, KS, the same as they did when he ministered in Decatur, IL; Arcola, IL; Lima, Ohio; and Lemoyne, PA. Terry is a graduate of Lima Senior High, Ohio State University, and Lexington Theological Seminary. Terry is an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan, but we don't hold that against him. :) He and Darlene have 2 grown children, Drew and Melissa.

DETAILS OF THE CANCER AND CLINICAL TRIAL

A few short months after Terry retired, he went to our local dermatologist to check a spot that he had on his shoulder. They did a biopsy and determined a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. It was recommended and arranged for Terry to see a melanona specialist at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, TX. The doctor Terry was assigned to is world-renowned in this field. Surgery was scheduled for October 2019 followed by Infusion Therapy to fight this aggressive cancer. Terry and Darlene continued to make trips back to Houston for regular checkups.

Early June 2021, Terry went back to MD Anderson for his check-up. He did not get the results he was hoping for; cancer had spread. There is no cure for the rare and aggressive type of skin cancer that Terry has. Thankfully Terry was admitted into a clinical trial, that started this week on June 29, 2021.

Terry and Darlene are staying at the Rotary House in Houston, right next to the hospital for 2 months during the start-up of his trial. Beginning with the third month of treatment, they will fly back and forth, once each month, as he continues the clinical trial. Terry will be taking some medications that are not approved by the FDA, with the hope that they will learn about healing his cancer. The clinical trial is using Chemotherapy vs Infusion Therapy which works differently in treating cancer.

EXPENSES FOR THE NEXT 3 MONTHS

Housing and utilities for Houston and their home in Amarillo: $18,500.

Food: $2500

Air Transportation and other expenses: $4,000

HOW YOU CAN HELP

I am grateful for the lives that Terry has touched. He is a faithful servant of God and has dedicated his life to helping others; now we have a chance to help Terry. I cannot thank you enough for caring about Terry and Darlene. This clinical trial is Terry's chance to beat this cancer, and you can help make it possible! My goal is to help the Fords so that they do not have to worry about finances while Terry is going through the clinical trial, and he can concentrate his positive energy on healing his body.

Please don't think that any amount of money is too small. $10 is enough, I believe there are enough people who care about Terry and his fight, that with each $10, we will make this goal easily!

I am so grateful and appreciative of your support for Terry! If you are not able to help financially, please consider sharing this so we can get the word out.

Please help us reach others who would want to help Terry fight cancer! Share the link to your Facebook Timeline! And of course, prayers are always welcome.

If you have any questions, I am happy to answer them.
Thank you and God Bless!
Lara Maxwell