Donate for Nate: Father fights rare cancer

Up until two weeks ago, Nathan Abrams was a healthy, busy 33-year-old man. A father to three adopted children, one with learning disabilities and one with severe autism, he was the sole breadwinner for his family and worked 50+ hours weekly to ensure his family was provided for. Now, he faces the diagnosis of a rare cancer, risky surgery, prolonged hospital stay, and four months of required recovery - all without pay, and with significant medical costs. The total need is estimated at $30,000.

Known for his broad back and huge heart, Nate worked as a maintenance man for retreat centers through NJ. Two weeks ago, he was admitted to the hospital following a prolonged period of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. A series of tests yielded results that no 33-year-old should ever hear: cancer. Nate was diagnosed with a rare form of abdominal cancer called Pseudomyxoma Peritonei.

This cancer affects two in one million people, and is an incredibly difficult cancer to identify and treat. Growing around the organs of the abdominal cavity, cancer cells line the walls of the peritoneum and secrete malignant mucus into the abdominal cavity. This mucus can eventually invade organs such as the appendix, intestines, and spleen, making these organs prime locations for recurrence.

Nate now faces an incredibly daunting, and experimental, treatment. On October 21st, he will undergo a 12-hour surgery to permanently remove his appendix, spleen, and portion of his large intestines. His internal organs will be lifted and “cleaned” to remove any cancerous mucus, and his abdominal cavity will be flooded with heated chemotherapy drugs to kill the cancer cells in the lining (a process called HIPEC). The recovery from this invasive surgery and treatment requires two weeks in the hospital, followed by three months of modified bed-rest.

He is very fortunate to have been referred to one of the leading experts in the treatment of rare abdominal cancers, who himself helped pioneer this technique and HIPEC. Nate will have his surgery an hour from his home at Morristown Medical Center, allowing his wife, children and immediate family to be with him before and after the surgery.

He is now home in the days before surgery, although unable to return to his physically demanding job as the diagnostic testing left him bruised and stitched. He and his family now face potentially three to four months of lost income, as well as innumerable medical costs. While Nate has insurance coverage, it is very limited in what it will cover and most expenses following his hospitalization (including prescriptions, over the counter medications, medical equipment, and home health services) will need to be covered out-of-pocket.

Any gift you can offer is appreciated. Monthly expenses, including mortgage, car, gas, insurance, and food for their three children total approximately $3000/month. The medical bills are as of yet an unknown amount, however they anticipate at least $15,000 in uncovered expenses. This means their family will need approximately $30,000 in donations to provide for their immediate and projected needs.

The burden of caring not only for her children, but now her husband, will fall to his wife Bethany, and therefore any donation, financial or otherwise, would be welcomed. If you are unable to give monetarily but live in northern New Jersey, any assistance would be most welcome. There is no reward we can offer in return, but please know you will have the enduring gratitude of Nate, his parents, siblings, wife and children. Thank you in advance for your generosity and your prayers.