Last month, the Landfairs found out that Ken has been diagnosed with and is battling stage 3 lung cancer. Obviously, this is a devastating diagnosis, but their focus right now is an aggressive approach with regard to his treatment, hoping he ends up in remission, cancer-free.

It started as a cough... Then it continually progressed and got much, much worse. After months of wondering, Ken had an appointment with the doctor and had an X-ray of his chest before the appointment. They called the day after, telling him to go in for an urgent CT scan. Once that was completed, he was diagnosed with lung cancer the very same day. He’s been through every test available, from the PET scan, biopsy, brain MRI, and more, to make sure it hadn’t “traveled.” Although the cancer has spread, its area is still within the lungs.

Unfortunately, with the size and location of the tumor, it’s completely inoperable. It rests on his carina, which is the place our airway splits from one into two, going to each lung. The cancer has spread from that location on his carina into his right lung, so he spends most of his time coughing, wheezing, and just feeling exhausted.

The doctors will use a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy for treatment, with hopes of shrinking the tumor, hopefully eradicating it completely.

Anyone who knows Ken & Patricia knows they would do anything for someone who’s suffering, and they have done more than most.

Every time they’ve learned about a friend or a law enforcement family member needing some financial relief, they started GoFundMe accounts/various fundraisers without hesitation so they can ensure the families could focus on what they needed to focus on... Healing, not money!

They’ve raised a shocking amount of money for so many law enforcement families who are struggling, both locally and also across the nation.

Can we do the same for them?

As most all of you know, Patricia is disabled from a surgery 10 years ago that left her with migraines and seizures, so this stress is a lot for both of them. Ken has diligently spent the last decade taking care of her and making sure her needs are met. Now it’s his turn to be the focus of our attention to ensure that they’re both okay, and that this diagnosis won’t financially burden them.

Ken has spent his entire adult life protecting and taking care of other people. He spent 6 years in the Marine Corps, then eventually became a law enforcement officer. He retired in October of 2022, after serving about 24 years as a corrections deputy with the Jackson County Oregon Sheriff’s Office.

This diagnosis for Ken is worrisome on so many levels. He’s worried about his wife, he’s worried about his family, he’s worried about his friends, and he’s obviously worried about the future. What is he NOT worried about? Himself!

They already have many unexpected expenditures, and more coming up in the near future. Let’s help do for them what they’ve done for so many others in the past.

Ken had a chemo port placed and he began radiation and chemotherapy treatments this past week. He will need to go to radiation every weekday and will receive chemo for 3 hours every week, plus there are many additional doctor’s appointments that are already set up every week. This treatment plan will last for the next 7 weeks, then he will begin immunotherapy treatment for 12 months after.

The most important thing for Ken right now is to focus on his treatment and self-care.