It is with a heavy heart that I write this request to donate what you are able to help my friend and his family. In recent months he and his family have experienced a whirlwind as some unexplained abdominal pain quickly lead to a hospitalization and ultimately a diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer. They are still early in this fight as his doctors take action to address immediate issues and prepare him for the rest of his life on chemo to buy some precious months with his loved ones as his doctors have given him a year in their estimation.

Though I don’t know my friend’s finances, I do know that they are in a precarious position while they live off short term disability payments and work to understand what the long term support looks like. They are fortunate to have good insurance, but like so many the deductibles are high and with so many doctors involved in his care the occasional out-of-network surprise has already found its way to their mailbox.

I have two goals as I ask for those of you who are able to help to do so. My first and more modest goal is to help raise $10,000 to give them a cushion against current and future medical bills so that they can focus on his care and enjoying their remaining time together.

My second, bigger picture goal is to raise $100,000 to support this family. The mom is already talking about needing to get a job to make ends meet that still allows her to get my friend to his appointments and provide the ongoing care he will steadily need more of. The son is just a little older than my own oldest and active in school and sports so there’s a whole other set of challenges supporting him to stay engaged. My hope is that even getting close to this goal gives the family comfort and ease now and into the future as they figure out life all over again.

I’m hoping my community of friends and all the great people I am connected to through those friends can help me make this a reality. Let’s see if we can put their son through college and give my friend’s wife all the time she needs to love my friend while he’s here and figure out life after.

I apologize for not sharing more detail, but for the time being my friend has let me know he wishes to remain anonymous so he and his family can navigate this challenging time with close loved ones. Thank you for understanding and helping me respect these wishes.

Charles