Help Brent O'Neill Fight Cancer!!

In September 2021, my sweet, smart, funny younger brother, BRENT O’NEILL, was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic colorectal cancer. This diagnosis came as a shock. While Brent had been feeling under the weather for several weeks, never did he, his wife (Anne), their teenage sons (Kieran 17 and Sean 14), or any of us imagine the battle raging within him.

 

In addition to a mass in his colon, Brent has cancer activity in lymph nodes around his aorta and between his lungs and several large tumors in his liver, which are preventing it from functioning properly and limiting the amount of chemotherapy he can safely receive. His situation is very serious and the path to recovery steep.

 

As you might guess, this unexpected twist of events has turned Brent’s and his family’s already busy world upside down, adding numerous medical appointments, fatiguing chemo treatments, complicated medication regimens, strict new dietary requirements, a host of expenses, and much more. Brent is unable to work right now and Anne’s plate is overflowing as she tries to juggle work and help Brent, Kieran, and Sean (who is still recovering from a broken back sustained this summer) navigate their new reality.

 

Despite all this, Brent remains positive and hopeful, soldiering on with resolve… his gentle spirit and sense of humor intact. I am in awe of him! He is facing this scary and sudden turn in life with amazing courage, grace, and perspective. So are Anne and the boys!!

 

A bright spot in this uncertain time is the opportunity Brent and Anne are having to experience how appreciated they are. Family, friends, neighbors, and others have been reaching out to send love, prayers and well wishes, and to ask… one after another… How can we help? What can we do for you and the boys?

 

This GoFundMe effort is a response to people’s requests for practical ways to help Brent fight cancer and the whole family traverse their formidable new landscape. Our main goal is to help lighten the financial and daily load on Brent, Anne, and the boys so they can focus their collective energy on Brent’s healing and enjoying precious time together as a family.

 

Money raised will be used to help pay for…

 

1) Medical care and costs not covered (fully or at all) by insurance.

 

2) Services to assist with various household activities (for example: grocery delivery, meal preparation, cleaning and laundry services, etc.).

 

3) Counseling sessions to help the family cope with challenges and changes that have come (and will continue to come) with Brent’s diagnosis.

 

4) Additional needs that are likely to arise as a result of living with cancer.

 

Thanks to everyone who has reached out wanting to help. Your love and support mean absolutely the world to our entire family!!

 

Special Note to Federal Employees, Contractors, Grantees, Partners, Etc.

Please note that if you are a Federal employee, contractor, grantee, partner, etc., all donations must comply with Federal ethics regulations. If you wish to donate to this GoFundMe campaign and have questions about whether your donation is allowable, please contact Kim O’Neill Lear (fundraiser organizer). Kim can coordinate with a Federal ethics representative to properly vet your donation.

 

For updates on Brent's cancer journey, visit https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brentoneill