Unfortunately, our family has been given unimaginable news. My husband Keith has been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, stage 4. The cancer has metastasized and there is cancer located on his spine, adrenal gland, right hip, and right hilar region of the lung. This is a very aggressive form of lung cancer and Keith's is not curable. We have been told that half the patients diagnosed with this cancer are alive one year later, after beginning chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment. We sought a second opinion with Fred Hutch Cancer Center and unfortunately, we weren't given any other/better news. In most cases, the treatment will stop the small cell cancer growth and after about six months of treatment, the cancer usually becomes resistant to the chemo.

Keith A. Sargent is a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and is the rock of the Sargent family. He and his wife Cindy raised two children, Bryce Sargent, 29, and Lacey Sargent, 34, but also raised his niece Elizabeth Bernier, 34. Keith never missed a game. Whether it was his kids, niece, or grandkids, on the field or court, you could count on him to be there. He has six biological grandchildren, all of whom he has helped raise/babysit while his children work during the day. Not only is he "papa" to those six grandkids, Keith is "papa" to ten "little people." Keith has always called his grandkids his "little people." Keith earned his living working at Memorial Hospital as one of the head cooks for 23 years. He is still remembered for his cheerful, upbeat attitude even at 5 am. Keith loves the outdoors, in particular, Bumping Lake. He spent nearly every weekend during his childhood at the lake because his parents owned a cabin there. So of course, he and his wife would bring their three kids plus friends to the lake nearly every weekend during the summer months. They spent the days building forts, swimming in the lake, rerouting the creek, exploring, and of course, cooking meals. He always says food tastes so much better in the woods, probably because we were extra hungry from all the fun. After the cabin sold in 2002, he and his family continued to explore other areas around the Pacific Northwest.

Keith began treatment for the small cell lung cancer at North Star Lodge on 8/13/2025. The funds raised will go directly toward Keith’s medical expenses, travel to and from medical appointments, and helping him cover living costs while he focuses on fighting this battle.