Help Save Our Uncle Doug

Douglas Brooks our beautiful uncle is a vibrant, loving, supportive 55 year old man who lives in Los Angeles, California. Although he lives in another state, he would always make sure to visit us around the holidays if he could. Uncle Doug has been a pivotal father figure to us. His presence is always a treasure, bringing such happiness, joy, and even more laughter to everyone he is around!

Our Uncle Doug was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lymphoma the end of March 2021. An aggressive fast growing Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Since the start of the pandemic, he has been out of work and just as he was about to return he was diagnosed with this cancer. We, his nieces, and nephew are reaching out on his behalf and SO SO appreciate any amount or donation that you might be able to give to help save our amazing Uncle Doug.

Doug’s first course of chemotherapy last spring was cut short when they discovered the cancerous masses were still growing. They then attempted a second stronger course of chemotherapy; five instances of (3-day in the hospital treatments) which has not been effective either. Because of this, the stem cell transplant that they were so hoping for is no longer a treatment option.

Doug and his partner are now preparing for a treatment recently approved by the FDA called CAT-T Cell Therapy which will begin the end of October. This treatment will genetically modify Doug’s T-Cells to help fight the cancer. This treatment requires that Doug remain in the hospital for up to ten days post-procedure, after which he must remain within a 15-minute drive of the cancer center while he recovers. This is in case of infection or complications for up to 4 weeks, requiring 24-hour care by a live-in caregiver. Unfortunately, insurance will not cover temporary housing near the cancer center, or any costs related to a full-time caregiver which is not optional for his post-procedure recovery. Doug and his partner Steven are ready to fight this awful disease in every way possible despite these few bumps that have come up along the way!

Any funds that are received will go directly to costs related to:

-temporary housing closer to the cancer center

-24-hour caregiver care post-procedure (Steven will need to continue working full-time as the only source of income for their living/medical costs)

-costs of insurance deductibles and co-pays

-loss of income (Doug will be unable to work for 7 months post-procedure)

Our family has been devastated with the sudden loss of Doug’s sister Heather Brooks, and the further isolation from being unable to see our family that COVID has caused. We could not bear to lose another family member during this difficult time.