Derek’s Colon Cancer Treatment & Recovery

Hi everyone, Jessica here–

To know Derek is to love him. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of sharing space with him, you know this to be true. Whether he was taking care of you at Sun Liquor, Zig Zag…or building you beautiful pieces through his woodworking projects, I’m sure that there has never once been a time where you haven’t felt his warmth and kindness.

Derek has found himself in a really complicated health crisis and could use our help.

He has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer as a rare complication stemming from his Crohn’s disease. What started as a routine medical check-up has escalated into an urgent, intensive medical intervention that could amount to 6-12 months of treatment.

All of this has him expecting to miss work for the entirety of 2023.

Right now, Derek is stuck in a San Francisco hospital. During a hellacious flight delay, he found himself in a lot of pain and had to go to the ER. Tests revealed some complications and progression from his original diagnosis, and he’s being held there until he can stabilize and safely travel. We’re not exactly sure when he’ll get back to Seattle, but when he does, he will immediately receive his first surgery.

Being sick in the U.S. is really expensive, and so it’s essential he has a soft landing without having to worry about the cost of basic necessities and medical supplies for as long as he needs to receive treatment and heal.

Please join me in supporting our gentle, brilliant friend. Please believe me when I say that every bit makes a difference, and sharing this fundraiser has an impact even if a financial contribution isn’t possible at this moment.

Thank you so much, any support you can offer is deeply appreciated.

Updates will be added below with greater details of Derek’s condition and needs as new information comes to light. You can expect to hear from Derek himself as well as loved ones as this process unfolds. Thanks again!