Help Paul beat his brain tumor!

In May 2017, Paul Gruchacz, was diagnosed with brain cancer that could not be surgically removed, a glioblastoma. Since his surgery, radiation therapy and standard chemotherapy, Paul has been fighting with everything he has, in any way he can, and has participated in two different clinical trials. He had to stop both trials due to disease progression. 

Currently he goes for chemotherapy every 3 weeks and receives two infusions, Bevacizumab and Pembrolizumab. However, these drugs have been shown to only minimally extend life expectancy in patients with Glioblastomas. We and his doctors want to add a third drug to the two he is already on. Our hope is that by using a triple drug regimen, Paul will be able to continue to fight this awful cancer. Unfortunately, the third drug, Abemaciclib, which is not FDA approved for brain tumors yet, is not covered by his insurance despite multiple appeals. The drug company has also denied coverage. This drug costs close to $13,000.00 per month (or $155,000.00 per year). 

Paul is the most caring, kind, loving and wonderful husband, step-father, brother, uncle, son and friend. He has lived his life caring for and giving generously to others, always putting his friends and family first. Despite his illness, Paul continues to live his life putting others first. 

Paul needs your help. Due to the size of his growing tumor, he is no longer eligible for any promising clinical trials. There is some new evidence that Abemaciclib in combination with Pembrolizumab shows increased efficacy, and we feel that this is one of the last hopes we have at the moment. The funds raised are intended to pay for the third drug, Abemaciclib. 

Paul is already beating the odds. With standard therapy, the median survival for adults with a glioblastoma is only about 11-15 months, which Paul has surpassed despite his large tumor size at diagnosis. He is not ready to give up fighting yet. 

Thank you for your support and prayers.