Our dad, Rob Ellender was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer on Feb 19th, 2025. He was initially found to have 4 tumors, one at the base of his tongue and three in his lymph nodes. Today, he was found to have two new additional tumors. My dad has insurance, but it’s only a local HMO plan. The location of his tumors and the quality of life challenges the standard care he can get locally; and while still good, this treatment plan does not address the many long-term side effects. Therefore, we have sought additional options.

He was blessed to be admitted into a Mayo Clinic clinical trial that offers him the exact care he needs to recieve by the best team who is exclusively dedicated to this specific type of cancer treatment. However, being that it’s an in-house trial by Mayo, much of the costs will be burdened by him. While he is blessed more than many, costs that can run as high as $300,000 could be incurred and won’t be easy to cover without the help of generous and compassionate friends like you. After losing his mother a few months ago to this terrible disease called cancer, my dad wants to do all he can to be a blessing to others suffering too. Any money donated that is not used directly for medical costs will be donated to care and research equally to Mayo Clinic and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

We appreciate all of your donations, prayers, and well wishes. My dad has a long road ahead, but we are faithful in our almighty Father who has him in the palm of his hand.

"It’s possible not just to survive, but to thrive and to live a healthy, wonderful life again."

— Erika Evans, a leukemia survivor