My first memory with Michelle is the two of us crammed into her German
Shepherd, Chopper’s, dog box.

We were five.

We’ve been friends for half a century, and even though we live thousands of miles apart, when one of us is in trouble, the other is there.

Here we are, half a decade later, and it’s the anniversary week of Blake’s leukemia diagnosis, and cancer and cancer-giving are now in her life too.

John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December and has been
through an intense series of chemo treatments leading up to surgery to
remove the cancer.

All hope was riding on this surgery.

When they received the news that the chemo shrunk it enough to do the surgery, they were happy and relieved.

And oh so hopeful for a cure. I know how this journey feels; it mirrors my own with Blake so profoundly.

You go through all the intensity and side effects of the harsh chemotherapy treatments because the hope of a complete cure is enough to get you through things you though you would never survive.

Sadly, they found it had already spread from his pancreas to his liver and abdominal wall when they did the surgery.

They weren’t able to complete the surgery, instead they closed him up and said they needed to talk about what’s next.

That is one of the most fearful and challenging pieces of news to get in cancer treatment, “we need to talk about what’s next.”

I remember meeting John, her husband, the first time. My experience with him has been the same every single time I’ve spent time with them, I laugh. A lot. Enough that my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Even at our high school reunion, he was making me laugh more than anyone else.

So what is next?

Once you’ve gotten to this point and cancer treatment, your options are consulting with the absolute experts in pancreatic cancer, experimental
therapies, and cancer studies.

These options always include travel, long term stays near hospitals, and a lengthy loss of income.

The added financial stress of all of this, in addition to the stress of cancer, unknown treatment plan, side effects, pain, and the fear and emotional trauma of all of this is so detrimental to successful healing and to both John and Michelle’s well-being.

These are people who would do anything for you when they could.
When I thought Blake would get cancer treatment near their house, they were the first to offer space for me to sleep and stay while he was in treatment.

They consistently donate it to our fundraisers supported Blake and me
emotionally, and were there for me during my journey.

I’ve seen them do the same for many of you, as well.

Let’s do everything possible to relieve the incredibly difficult financial stress of cancer treatment.

It’s time for us to do it for them.