Hello, my name is Kate Schmidt and I am starting a GoFundMe on behalf of my father, Ken Schmidt. If anyone knows my dad, he has the kindest, biggest heart. He is willing to give his last dollar to someone in need. He works hard and is extremely dedicated to his faith and his family. He is the rock in our family and loves Jesus.

Ken's story starts in mid summer when he was brought in to the urgent care for signs of a mimic stroke. At this time they did bloodwork and found that his PSA levels were elevated at around 150.

Fast forward to late November of 2025 when he was brought into the ER for extreme pelvis and back pain. We found out that he was experiencing a lot of stress to his kidneys because his bladder was backed up all the way to his kidneys. The ER doctor told him if he hadn't gone in when he did, he may have started to experience kidney failure and/or his bladder would have burst. Thankfully the ER was able to help drain the backed-up liquid and started a series of tests. This led to a prognosis of elevated kidney levels and signs of an enlarged prostate.

Two weeks later he was able to visit with a Urologist. At this time, it was confirmed that his prostate was in fact enlarged and his bloodwork showed his PSA levels were at 174! With his PSA levels elevated so high, the doctor told us it is a sign of other concerning terms. We are choosing not to speak that over his life and immediately jumped onto the road to recovery.

Since then, he experienced another medical episode and had to be transported by ambulance to the ER. He was then transferred over to the another medical facility due to limited availability in Mankato and had to stay an extra day as a precaution until his kidney numbers went down again. We are so grateful that he did not have any residual effects from this.

We are choosing not to use medical labels to elevate his well-being by focusing on his health and road to recovery. We are currently seeking some alternative treatments which are expensive but have been proven to be effective. His health is our number one focus. We are doing what we can to radiate his life with love, faith, and overall healing and positivity.

He has been doing treatments now for approximately 7 weeks and we have seen some physical improvements over the last few weeks, which is extremely encouraging! He still has a long road ahead of him, and with another upcoming doctor's appointment this month, we are hoping for improvements in his numbers.

On the downside, this diagnosis has brought a flood of medical bills and has been affecting his ability to consistently work. With medical bills, treatments, and the cost of living draining his savings, he is now struggling to pay bills due to not being able to work his physically demanding job as an independent business owner.

We will continue to update on the progress of his health journey. Please Pray and send your love and thoughts to him as he continues to fight the good fight! If you are able to help in any way, please give. No amount is too small. Every donation is appreciated.

Encouraging scripture for healing:

ROMANS 12:12 - "Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;"

ISAIAH 53:5 - "By his stripes, we are healed."

JEREMIAH 30:17 - "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the Lord.

PROVERBS 4:20-22 - "God's words are life and health to your whole body. "

JAMES 5:15 - "The prayer of faith will make the sick well."

PROVERBS 16:24 - "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

PROVERBS 18:21 - "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."