David's Battle with Melanoma
Donation protected
Around two years ago, my brother David went to the doctor to get a mole removed from the top of his head. When the biopsy results came in, his life was changed forever. At the age of 33 he was diagnosed with cancer.
My big brother – who had looked out for me when we were growing up, who loves fishing, who is kind and humble and generous, who is an incredible father to his daughter Sadie, and an amazing husband to his wife Lorrie — has locally advanced melanoma.
When the cancer was found it was stage 2. David underwent a major surgery, participated in a clinical trial, and we all hoped that it wouldn’t come back. Unfortunately, the cancer returned earlier this year. Since then, David’s had 6 months of targeted drug therapy, followed by another major surgery. And after all of this treatment, he still has cancer.
Melanoma is an aggressive, terrifying disease. Right now David is undergoing an entire month of daily radiation therapy and IV immunotherapy every 3 weeks for the foreseeable future. With an incredible team of doctors, he is fighting this thing because he has so much to live for.
But it’s hard on him in every way imaginable. From side effects from treatments, to nerve pain from the surgery, and now radiation on top of everything — David would much rather be fishing with Sadie than having bad days from cancer treatments.
HOW MUCH IT COSTS
Despite David having health insurance throughout his treatment, there is still so much that hasn’t been covered. Here’s a summary of his medical bills and out of pocket expenses:
—Over $21,000 outstanding bills for surgery costs, hospital stays, scans, and more (with his recent surgery and new treatments, we anticipate this number will get up to $40,000 soon)
—Regular travel to and from Moffitt in Tampa (4 hours drive away from his home)
—Travel and accommodation costs for participation in a clinical trial in Tennessee
—Accommodation in Tampa for 2 major surgeries and 5 weeks of radiation
—Travel to Tampa for Lorrie and Sadie so they can visit with David on weekends during his treatment
—Ongoing physical therapy costs
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Through all of this, our entire family — my parents, Lorrie’s parents, my sisters and many others — have been doing everything we can to rally around David and Lorrie and offer support. But we can’t do it alone.
It’s so hard to know how to help, wishing that we could take some of the stress, fear, and pain away. Which is why I’ve started this GoFundMe.
We’ve already had so many generous friends reaching out offering support. None of us want David and Lorrie spending a moment of energy thinking about medical bills, they need to focus everything on his health right now.
No amount is too small, any donation you make will go directly to David to help ease some of this burden. It takes a village — and I know we have a big one. Thank you so much.
Much love,
Danielle & The Deckard Family
My big brother – who had looked out for me when we were growing up, who loves fishing, who is kind and humble and generous, who is an incredible father to his daughter Sadie, and an amazing husband to his wife Lorrie — has locally advanced melanoma.
When the cancer was found it was stage 2. David underwent a major surgery, participated in a clinical trial, and we all hoped that it wouldn’t come back. Unfortunately, the cancer returned earlier this year. Since then, David’s had 6 months of targeted drug therapy, followed by another major surgery. And after all of this treatment, he still has cancer.
Melanoma is an aggressive, terrifying disease. Right now David is undergoing an entire month of daily radiation therapy and IV immunotherapy every 3 weeks for the foreseeable future. With an incredible team of doctors, he is fighting this thing because he has so much to live for.
But it’s hard on him in every way imaginable. From side effects from treatments, to nerve pain from the surgery, and now radiation on top of everything — David would much rather be fishing with Sadie than having bad days from cancer treatments.
HOW MUCH IT COSTS
Despite David having health insurance throughout his treatment, there is still so much that hasn’t been covered. Here’s a summary of his medical bills and out of pocket expenses:
—Over $21,000 outstanding bills for surgery costs, hospital stays, scans, and more (with his recent surgery and new treatments, we anticipate this number will get up to $40,000 soon)
—Regular travel to and from Moffitt in Tampa (4 hours drive away from his home)
—Travel and accommodation costs for participation in a clinical trial in Tennessee
—Accommodation in Tampa for 2 major surgeries and 5 weeks of radiation
—Travel to Tampa for Lorrie and Sadie so they can visit with David on weekends during his treatment
—Ongoing physical therapy costs
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Through all of this, our entire family — my parents, Lorrie’s parents, my sisters and many others — have been doing everything we can to rally around David and Lorrie and offer support. But we can’t do it alone.
It’s so hard to know how to help, wishing that we could take some of the stress, fear, and pain away. Which is why I’ve started this GoFundMe.
We’ve already had so many generous friends reaching out offering support. None of us want David and Lorrie spending a moment of energy thinking about medical bills, they need to focus everything on his health right now.
No amount is too small, any donation you make will go directly to David to help ease some of this burden. It takes a village — and I know we have a big one. Thank you so much.
Much love,
Danielle & The Deckard Family
Organizer and beneficiary
Danielle Deckard
Organizer
Margate City, NJ
David Deckard
Beneficiary