Help Russ in his fight against Multiple Myeloma

Russ Krebs is an amazing father, grandfather and husband, and a very active member of the Hartford and greater Washington County community. You may know Russ through several organizations and activities, including St. Kilian Parish where he is an usher and catechist, Hartford Community Service, Inc.’s Terror on Rural Street where he is a founding member and head of security, the Hartford Christmas Parade Committee, or helping organize the Hartford Car Show, just to name a few. Or maybe you know Russ from his business that he has run since 1985, R. Outdoors Tree Service and Landscaping.

At the end of March, Russ began experiencing lower back pain, and other concerning medical symptoms. After seeing how severe the condition was developing, his family made the choice to take him to the Emergency Room. On Friday, April 7, 2023, after a four-day stay in the hospital, and several tests, including a bone marrow biopsy, Russ was officially diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, cancer originating in bone marrow, specifically cancer of the plasma cells. This diagnosis has been devastating to him, and his family, because his once-active lifestyle has quickly come to a halt. Just days after being released from the hospital, Russ fell and fractured his L1 vertebrae and was readmitted to the hospital. Russ and his amazing team of nurses and doctors quickly determined that we need to fight; they made the decision to start chemotherapy treatment on Friday, April 14th, which will be ongoing over the next several months.

This is where we need your help. We need your help in this fight. Russ is currently unable to work due to the immense pain he is experiencing and his limited mobility. He wants nothing more than to climb a tree, be out on the lake on his barge, ride his Harley, or play with his grandchildren, but that won’t happen until he is feeling better and stronger.

Russ and his family appreciate the amazing team at Froedtert, and all the friends, family and neighbors who are helping so far! Seeing a community that Russ loves and has helped so much, helping him in return has been an incredible blessing and has truly been lifting his spirits. If it is in your heart to do so, Russ and his family would appreciate prayers, help when and where you are able, and financial assistance to help cover medical costs, travel to doctors’ appointments, and the wages that Russ is missing out on being laid up at home.