In early 2024, my wife, Niki Taylo, was diagnosed with stage IV endometrial cancer.

Niki is an amazing wife, the best mother our three children could ask for, a loving daughter and sister, and a beloved teacher at Sunset High School. Recently, she also endured the heartbreaking loss of her father in a tragic accident. Through everything, she has continued to give so much of herself to our family, her students, and the people she loves.

Now, we are asking for help so she can focus on her own care.

Niki underwent chemotherapy in 2024 before transitioning to immunotherapy with Keytruda and Lenvima. Alongside her oncology treatment, she has pursued supplemental care, including vitamin C infusions, sauna, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. We have paid for this supplemental care ourselves, spending more than $70,000 in 2025 alone.

Her most recent PET scan brought mixed news. Some tumors in her abdomen had decreased in size, but the scan also showed multiple new or enlarging areas of cancer in her abdominal and pelvic lymph nodes.

Because of this progression, her oncologist, Dr. Harrison at OHSU’s Knight Cancer Institute, recommended moving forward with Enhertu. This treatment is designed to deliver chemotherapy to cancer cells that express a protein called HER2. It gave us a new reason to hope.

OHSU submitted the request to our insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield. One day before Niki was scheduled to begin treatment, we learned that coverage had been denied.

Her care team appealed, and another treatment appointment was scheduled. Then, just a week before her birthday, we received another devastating call: the appeal had also been denied.

We are now facing the next level of appeals, including an independent review. Meanwhile, Niki is still waiting for the treatment her oncologist recommended.

It is difficult to describe the emotional toll of preparing for a treatment that offers hope, only to have it put out of reach again. While we continue pursuing approval, we are also exploring additional treatment options, including care outside the United States. Those options could mean substantial out-of-pocket treatment and travel expenses.

At the same time, Niki has made the difficult decision to take medical leave from teaching. She loves her students and her career, but balancing the demands of the classroom with advanced cancer and ongoing treatment has become too much. She needs time to rest, attend appointments, and focus on her health.

That necessary decision also means a loss of income, adding to the financial strain of her care.

We have done our best to carry these costs ourselves. Asking for help is difficult, but we have reached a point where we cannot do it alone.

Our fundraising goal is $75,000, based on our estimated costs for Niki’s medical and supplemental care, treatment-related travel, and household expenses during her unpaid medical leave. As her treatment plans become clearer, we will share updates about her care and how the funds are being used. Every donation will help ease the financial pressure and allow Niki to focus on her health and our family.

If you are able to donate, any amount will make a difference. If you cannot donate, sharing this page is another meaningful way to support Niki and our family.

Above all, we want Niki to have the time, support, and access to care she needs—and more time with the people who love her.

Thank you for your generosity, your encouragement, and for walking alongside us through this incredibly difficult journey.

With gratitude,

Rob Taylo and family