Help support Keith's travel for clinical trial participation

We are almost at the 3-year anniversary since my diagnosis. We are always getting messages asking how people can help, what do we need etc. and honestly, up until this point we have been very lucky and able to handle everything that has been thrown our way. I have to admit I am a prideful person and struggle to ask for help and always "find a way." Knowing the expenses associated with travel for this trial including airfare, lodging, parking, rental car/uber etc. over the course of the next couple years will be pretty significant, and although pride gets in the way, I think it's time to accept help from all those that have offered over the past 3 years. A GoFundMe has been suggested multiple times in the past, so we are going to give this a shot.

For those that are not familiar with my story. I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer on 5/5/21 at the age of 41. It has been almost 3 years since my diagnosis and I have tried various types of cancer treatments including multiple surgeries, radiation, and of course many, many rounds of chemotherapy. Thanks to all of these combined efforts, and the guidance of excellent oncology experts, the cancer was remaining stable.

We are starting to see growth in the disease now and were encouraged to seek out clinical trials because standard treatments are beginning to lose their effect and those options are running out. The #1 trial that many of my medical team has recommended and has shown promising results is only available at the main City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, CA (Just outside of LA). For those that are interested in learning more about this trial I have included the NCT#05672316. I received the call on Friday, April 12, that I have been accepted into this trial and hope to begin this new treatment by mid-May. Before I can start the new treatment, I have to complete a 4 week "wash out period" to ensure all the current treatment drugs are cleared from my body.

This new treatment will require me to spend the first 2-4 weeks near the cancer center so I can be closely observed for any serious side effects. After those first couple weeks, I will be flying back and forth from Lafayette/Indianapolis to California every 2 weeks to undergo treatment for up to 2 years as long as the trial drugs are working.

When I first began looking into clinical trial options, we knew that there would potentially be high costs depending on where and what trial I was able to get into. Casey and I made the proactive choice to cash out my life insurance policy so that funding would never have to be the cause to turn down a good opportunity. Upon receiving those funds, we did the responsible thing and prepaid all of our afterlife planning expenses. That money is there for us to use if we need to but we wanted to use as little of it as possible. I received so many great suggestions from people on ways to reduce the costs of travel logistics for the trial participation and we left no stone unturned. I am including below a list of those incredible suggestions, and I welcome new ideas. Although these sources were not able to help me, maybe in the future someone you know may need them and they will be eligible or able to benefit.

Thanks to everyone that pushed me to finally do this, because as uncomfortable as this is for me, I know it's what is best for our family. Any money raised will be solely used to help with flights, lodging, rental car/uber, and medical expenses. We appreciate anyone that is able and willing to give to this. Know it will be put to good use, and hopefully help keep me around for a long time.