Help Eric Todd and Family "Keep the Faith"

"I am living a very blessed life and it is my every intension to continue on doing so. None of us know what tomorrow holds, but for today, invite joy into your heart and share it freely. "                                                                                                                                          - Eric Todd, March 2016 These were the words of Eric Todd after he was given the unimaginable news that, at the young age of 45, he had been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. Eric was not about to sit back and let cancer define him or his life. With love and support from his amazing family and friends (more on that later), he set out on what he called his "cancer journey".  After colon resection surgery and fighting through many months of chemotherapy, it appeared that he was in remission. Eric was ready to put that part of his life behind him and continue sharing his joy freely. December 22nd, 2018:  After experiencing discomfort in his abdomen, Eric went in for a routine procedure only to wake up to the news that stage IV metastatic cancer was found throughout his abdomen and on his liver. His cancer journey had taken an unfortunate turn.  Still, this news would not define him.                                                                                     This time the plan was different, six rounds of intense chemotherapy, followed by a radical surgery at the Mayo Clinic, then six more rounds of chemotherapy.  April 11th, 2019: After 12 of the most trying weeks of his life, we were ready for the surgery, or so we thought. In another heartbreaking turn of events, we learned that Eric's cancer had not been affected by the chemotherapy and that it had grown to a point that the surgery could no longer be performed. Still, this family would not lie down. The next step was to look for any and every trial that was taking place. We quickly came to learn that he would not qualify for most trials due to the stage of his cancer. Saddened, but not defeated ,the only thing left is to lean on his army of prayer warriors and pray that a new trial comes out that will be able to put this cancer journey behind him once and for all.  Eric and His Family: Shortly after learning that his cancer had come back and was now stage IV, he had this to say, "Seek the light when you are lost, be the light when others are lost, and share the light so that it may spread its gifts forever." If you know Eric or his family personally, you know that they have always been the light when others are lost, and have shared the light and spread its gifts more times than imaginable . This is our time to shine our light on Eric and his family. This is their time to seek out the light for themselves. Eric and his amazing wife, Katherine, have 5 children, Addison, Aria, Hunter, Holden, and Torie, but if you were to ask them the list would include hundreds of others. The Todd household has always had open doors to any and everyone. Eric and Katherine have physically taken other children under their roof at times of need and have acted as loving and supportive father and mother figures to many of their children's friends. It has always been a life of giving for the Todd family, whether its fundraisers, various charities, opening up their home, giving of their personal time and resources, giving to go-fundmes, or simply providing emotional support. They have done it all out of love and have never asked for anything in return. Now is the time that this family could use our help.  Our Goal: *As Eric continues on his unexpected journey, our goals continue to change slightly based on his current state of health. Additionally, Katherine's employer has very generously assisted with creating a plan to faciliatate spending time away from work with Eric and the family. This generosity has allowed the family the opportunity to spend precious time together and make lasting memories. It also allows us to shift the focus on some of our goals!* While the future is one of uncertainty, these are a few of our current goals:  1.) Allow the Todd family the opportunity to check off bucket list items and make lasting memories with their husband/father.  2.) Provide travel and accommodation for any out of state miracle trial that Eric may qualify for! (We leaned today that there is a growing optimism for this in the future!!)   3.) Help the Todd family by relieving some of the burden of the medical bills that come with this cancer journey.  4.) Start a foundation in Eric's honor to help support families going through similar situations. (Laying the ground work now!!)  There is no replacement for your continued thoughts and prayers. Thank you all for holding this space for Eric and his family! As Eric has so brilliantly stated, "Seek the light when you are lost, be the light when others are lost, and share the light so that it may spread its gifts forever."  (All donations  will only be accessible by Eric and his wife. Thank you!)