Eric Suender - Glioblastoma Cancer

This is Eric's wife, Katherine. Eric and I have been a team together for over 20 years. The song that most reminds me of Eric's personality is Madonna’s song, Where's the Party? Eric is always bringing the fun wherever he goes. When I met him, he was a science teacher at Mundelein High School. That year he organized a ski trip to Winter Park, Colorado for the ski team and a behind-the-scenes trip to Disney World for his A.P. Environmental Science students.  In every position he has worked as a teacher, administrator, teacher, coach or for scouts, his overall goal was always about planning fun, meaningful events for children.  His most recent STEM event he planned for over seven counties had over 1,000 people attend and over 60 area businesses who were program partners. Eric became ill two weeks before this event, but due to his dedication, he insisted on working from the hospital room until 10:30 p.m. the night before his surgery. His previous efforts paid off.  STEMQuest in Kalamazoo was a huge success for area children and their families!

Eric has always been very passionate about everything he does, always doing his 110% best. He shows this at work, but he also shows this to our children. We have two children, currently ages 11 and 14. Some days our boys seem very grown-up, and other days they still need a hug from Dad. Eric has always been very involved with our boys, giving human horsey rides, finding treasures on the beach, letting the kids bury him in the sand and training the boys to be good citizens. His motto has been to teach the kids to always ask adults, "How can I help?" When we visit a relative's house, the kids do a chore before the visit is over. As a family, we always practice the “family first” about leaving a place better than we find it.

Scouts and running have been the two big family events in our lives. Eric started running with the boys when they were three and four years old.  The boys eventually started running too fast for him, so Eric rode his bike while they ran to make sure they stayed safe. This past week was an especially emotional moment for our family because our oldest child earned his varsity letter for being on the cross-country team as a freshmen. Eric was there to see our son receive this honor. As a past cross-country runner himself, Eric was so happy and proud! I'm hoping Eric can attend next year's cross-country banquet, but with this kind of cancer, probably not. Eric is hopeful though and has kept a great attitude. Just surviving

After being diagnosed with a Grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumor in mid-October, Eric had emergency surgery to remove 80% of the tumor.  Since the surgery, he has been going to therapy and will be starting chemotherapy and radiation in December to help eliminate additional growth.


Due to this unexpected illness/cancer, Eric is not able to work. Currently, he is on disability with his job. I just retired from teaching last June. This switch in my status has changed our insurance. Our maximum copays are per person now, and they are a lot higher than when I was a teacher. I am also working at Western Michigan University as a graduate assistant and a research assistant while studying full time as a Ph.D. student in literacy education. With this new change in Eric’s medical condition, my future as a student is uncertain since I might have to stop going to school to make enough money to pay for his medical expenses and our mortgage. Eric has life insurance, but only through his job. Once he goes on long-term disability, he won’t have life insurance. We just moved to Portage, Michigan in July so I could attend college at WMU, and now even being able to stay in our home is in question.  Your donation would be helping a family who has helped children and their families for over 30 years. It feels odd being on the need end of the situation instead of the giving side, but we really need your help now. Your donations will go toward paying our medical deductibles for Eric, as well as to help us pay for transportation to doctor’s appointments and hopefully keep us in our home until I graduate in three years. Your help is so appreciated.