Doug’s Ongoing Battle with Cancer

In April of 2020, during the height of the pandemic, my dad, Doug Williams, was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, metastatic to the lymph nodes and surrounding region. He was deemed ineligible for surgery and instead received hormone therapy and radiation therapy through the entire summer.

Unfortunately, complications arose from the radiation which affected his lower gastrointestinal tract and caused further complications with his urinary tract. He had been suffering for months working with his doctors to try to improve his quality of life. Ultimately he ended up in the hospital earlier this month due to massive infections and bleeding.

Last week, after 3 weeks at Stony Brook, we were told he had developed a secondary leukemia called APL. While APL is very treatable and has a high response rate, it also has a devastatingly high mortality rate due to the high risk of infection and hemorrhage. Unfortunately, at this time my dad is not doing well. He is receiving treatment, along with daily blood transfusions, but his condition has not improved.

If he can handle the continued treatment, my dad will be in the hospital for a very long time . Every single dollar donated will go towards his medical bills, eventual hospice care, and if necessary, afterlife arrangements. Anything to help take some financial burden off my mom would be a blessing. He and my mom just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary last week.

My dad, aka PopPop, has 4 granddaughters all under the age of 3. River, Maggie, Bernadette, and Maeve would love to grow up with their PopPop and have him teach them to play guitar, or how to sing, or how to change the oil in their car. We pray everyday that he will be okay, and be able to go home to be with his family and his dog Harry.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Its not easy to ask for support in this manner. None of this is easy.
Jackie