Help Kurt Keep Fighting

**Update**

Kurt did not pass the PFT test required for him to return to work, and unfortunately he cannot retake it for another 6 months. This has been another difficult setback for him and our family.

If you are able to help in any way, we would be incredibly grateful. The hospital bills and monthly living expenses continue to pile up while he is unable to work. Every donation, share, and prayer means more than we can express.

Thank you all for your continued love, support, and encouragement through this journey.

The Bringhurst Family

Last July, my brother Kurt was life-flighted to the hospital after suddenly vomiting blood. That’s when we found out he had a tumor in his right lung. He underwent major surgery, losing more than half of his right lung, and then faced the brutal fight of aggressive chemotherapy treatment, followed by two years of planned immunotherapy that he began in December 2025.

His aggressive chemotherapy treatment worked, and the continued immunotherapy was helping keep his lung cancer in a stable condition—but his immunocompromised body became exhausted.

In early March, Kurt began having difficulty breathing and was diagnosed with pneumonia and severe inflammation in his left lung—his good lung.

He was hospitalized on March 12th at a local hospital but wasn’t improving. He went into acute respiratory distress and was intubated, sedated, and life-flighted again on March 15th. He remained intubated and sedated for six days before waking up.

During that time, Kurt was on tube feedings and required 90% assisted oxygen. Day by day, doctors were able to slowly reduce his oxygen levels. By March 25th, he was finally able to have his first soft meal. However, the lack of nutrition and prolonged immobility has left him extremely weak, with significant muscle loss in his arms and legs, and unable to move on his own.

He has remained in the hospital since March 15th. After everything his body has been through, recovery has been slow, painful, and uncertain.

We are now trying to find an assisted living facility where he can continue to heal, regain his strength, and eventually return to work and independence.

As a family, we’ve done everything we can—but we can’t do this alone anymore.

We are asking for $179,000 to help cover his medical care, recovery, and a safe place for him to heal. We are also coming together to build a shelter over his trailer to protect him from the elements during his recovery.

On April 25th, we will be holding a service project on Kurt’s property to build a shed over his trailer to protect him from the weather. If you would like to donate your time, skills, or expertise, please reach out to Renae Smith or Sheri Michaelis.

Kurt has fought so hard to stay here to be with his family and his two boys. Please help us give him the support he needs to keep going.

Anything helps. Even sharing this means the world to us.

Thank you ❤️