Help Mike Fight AML and Overcome His Third Cancer Battle

Imagine the relief of hearing from your oncologist that you are “all clear” after a grueling battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. All your bloodwork is perfect, and your doctor moves your checkups from every 6 months to once a year. The weight of the world seems to lift as you finally breathe easy, knowing that you’ve overcome one of the hardest challenges of your life.

But then, 84 days later, everything changes.

Mike, a dedicated father/brother/partner/dog dad/friend, and self-employed tile installer, has just received the most devastating news. He was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)—a rare, aggressive form of blood and bone marrow cancer. The even harder blow? Doctors explain that this leukemia is a result of the chemotherapy Mike received to treat his Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. His AML is more difficult to treat because of this, and the clock is ticking.

Mike’s doctors told him that if he hadn’t gone to urgent care after dealing with a sore throat (twice) and had blood work done, he wouldn’t have lived much longer. The urgency of this situation is terrifying.

This isn’t the first battle Mike has faced. In 2011, he fought and conquered bladder cancer. Then, in 2021, he fought Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and, at last, seemed to win. But now, in late November 2024, Mike finds himself diagnosed with AML, facing his third cancer. His treatment will begin with 21-day cycles of intense induction chemotherapy to destroy as many of the leukemia cells as possible. Each cycle will require him to be hospitalized for at least a month, and he may need additional cycles. Thanksgiving, his birthday, and Christmas will all be spent in the hospital. If all goes according to plan, Mike’s treatment will take a minimum of six months, including chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, stem cell procedures, immunotherapy, and more.

As an independent contractor, Mike’s ability to work and earn a living is severely impacted during this treatment, and most likely after. His health insurance only provides a high-deductible medical plan, meaning that if he’s not working, he’s not earning and he pays very high premiums, deductibles and co-pays. While Mike is applying for financial assistance programs, many of these are limited or unavailable due to a lack of funding. To make matters worse, Mike has not fully recovered financially from his Lymphoma treatments and is now facing even more medical expenses.

We are asking for your help.

Mike is a proud, hard-working man who has never relied on government assistance or handouts. However, with mounting hospital bills, prescription costs, and ongoing treatment expenses, he now needs our support. We are asking for donations to help cover his medical bills, treatments, hospital stays, medications, and daily living expenses as he focuses on fighting this third cancer battle. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, will help ease the financial burden so Mike can concentrate on his recovery and return to work when he is able.

Please help us support Mike during this incredibly difficult time. Your generosity will make a huge difference in his ability to stay focused on healing and beating this disease. Thank you for your kindness, love, and support.

Donate today and help Mike continue his fight against AML.

To view Mike's Caringbridge page: https://www.caringbridge.org/site/3b3fdd24-aacb-11ef-89a3-09ea60ef92c1?utm_source=website_share&utm_medium=share_button&utm_term=&utm_content=link_share_button&utm_campaign=private_home_page