HELP CHRISTOPHER & APRIL THROUGH THEIR HEALTH CRISIS

Two beloved friends, Christopher Smith and April Biggs, are facing an incredibly difficult time—and they need our help.

Not many know that April suffered kidney failure at just 30 years old. Since then, she’s undergone weekly dialysis. April received a kidney transplant that lasted ten years. Then, in 2018, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Her native kidneys were removed, and she underwent immunotherapy and targeted drug treatment, which successfully stopped the spread of cancer but left her unable to work.

Earlier this year, April underwent vascular surgery. Complications and infections followed, leading to months in the hospital. She’s finally home and slowly regaining her strength.

During this time, Christopher, who has been April's sole caregiver, began feeling unwell. Doctors initially prepared for what they thought would be a minor heart procedure, but discovered he was severely anemic. Given his stress levels, they suspected a bleeding ulcer. The angiogram was put on hold, and in early March, he underwent a colonoscopy and endoscopy to find the source of his blood loss.

The colonoscopy was clear. The endoscopy was not. Doctors found a mass in his esophagus, extending to the junction of his stomach. A CT scan later that day revealed lesions in his liver. The diagnosis: esophageal cancer, which had metastasized and is classified as Stage 4, but Christopher and his care team are determined to beat the odds.

Christopher began a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy last month. The initial goal is to reduce the tumor and lessen the bleeding to improve his anemia. He’s also pursuing integrative cancer treatments to help him stay strong and support healing.

Neither he nor April has been able to work for the past six months. Their journey ahead is long—and the financial burden is overwhelming.

Their son, Barrett, and a small circle of friends are doing all they can, but it’s not enough. That’s why we’re reaching out—to ask for your help.

Your donation will go directly toward:

• Covering basic household & living expenses

• Providing professional caregiving and housekeeping support

• Supplying healthy, tailored meal services

• Offsetting medical and treatment expenses

This will alleviate the stress of the situation so they can focus on healing

If you know Christopher and April, you know how much they’ve done for others.

Christopher, co-founder of The Acting Center, has helped artists find their voices. For over thirty years, his work as a writer and director for his church has educated young people about the dangers of drugs, brought hope and solutions to families struggling with addiction, and advanced the cause of religious freedom and peace around the world.

For over twenty years, April served as producer of the annual Christmas Stories event at Celebrity Centre International, helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Hollywood Police Activities League and its after-school programs for at-risk youth. As executive director of The Acting Center during its first decade, she helped shape one of Hollywood’s most respected acting schools.

Now it’s our turn to give back.

Whatever you can give—no matter how small—will make a difference. If you can’t donate, please share this campaign with others who might be able to help. Our initial goal is to help them through the next few months, but we hope to raise enough to cover the year ahead.

With heartfelt thanks,

Friends of the Smiths