Help David Fitting Beat Cancer Again

As a preface, all of this will be more formal than David would want but if we let him write it you would be laughing too hard and think you were reading a comedy skit and not a call to action. 

For the past few months David has been dealing with some jaw issues. This was initially attributed to TMJ, but after getting an MRI in November he learned that his pain was being caused by a large malignant tumor. On December 2nd he had a biopsy done that confirmed the initial diagnosis. The tumor was cancerous (osteosarcoma) and would need to be removed promptly. The Biopsy and subsequent scans did give some good news though, confirming that the cancer has not spread elsewhere. Rather this cancer is likely the result from years of intense radiation that were required to deal with cancer the first time Previously David was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme at ages 10 and 11 (May 03’ and May 04’), and this recent diagnosis of osteosarcoma marks his 3rd bout with cancer.

Looking forward, David’s medical team has decided to start treating him with chemotherapy immediately to try and reduce the size of the tumor. The treatment requirements for this recent diagnosis make maintaining a normal life very difficult. He will be in the hospital for 5 days at a time receiving treatment. After those 5 days, he will be required to return to the hospital for 3 subsequent days to receive heavy doses of antibiotics, lab work, and injections to help aid with the growth of bone marrow. Depending on his blood counts, he will not be able to be out in public for long periods of time due to a compromised immune system that will leave him highly susceptible to illness. Because his career is based in hospitals and OR settings, the risk of catching an illness is very high, so he will have to take a leave of absence. After two cycles of chemotherapy, his tumor will be resected and my mandible will be reconstructed using a piece of his fibula. This surgery requires 3 surgeons and is estimated to take 10-12 hours, with a recovery period of 8-12 weeks.

One in a million does not even begin to describe David because not even one in a million people survive a diagnosis he received when he was just 10 years old. Despite all these medical setbacks his current situation included, his spirits and particularly his desire to make others laugh never diminishes. David is so unique and beloved by his friends and family because it always feels like you are at comedy show with him even if you are just in a simple Uber ride together. It is never easy to ask for help but David has spent his life building a strong community of friends who love and respect him and are prepared to help him now. All the money donated will be going to help him pay for the very best doctors and specialists, even while he is not able to work for next couple months. Please consider donating or reaching out to David personally and sending some much-needed words of assurance that he will crush cancer just like he did last time!