Help the Dirks Family with Medical Costs

We want to support the Dirks family while they navigate their journey during this difficult family time.

Tiernay Dirks is a director for Real Colorado Soccer in Longmont and has been a leader in the community for a long time.

Her husband, Jake, has been diagnosed with stage 4 Astrocytoma. Due to Jake's tumor and seizure recurrences, MD Anderson is the best place to have Jake because of their advances in brain tumor treatment. For the time being, every 3 weeks, Tiernay and Jake will be traveling to Houston to receive an injection of Keytruda (immunotherapy).

Please share and help their family with these costs. Think about making a donation towards one of these areas of need:

1) Airplane tickets ($300 a ticket x 2 people)

2) Hotel rooms ($130 per night)

3) Uber/Car Rental $360 ($30 per day)

4) Meals ( Sign up or donate here https://mealtrain.com/oy0nd1)

5) $ Donations

If you or someone you know has Flight Mileage points, Discounts/Coupons at restaurants , Hotel points, or any connections that can directly help make a difference for the Dirks family, please reach out directly out to Skye Peterson.

Full Story:

In 2014 Jake Dirks, was diagnosed with a grade 4 astrocytoma after he suffered from a seizure. Following this diagnosis Jake had to undergo a brain biopsy, 2 brain surgeries in 3 days, 6 weeks of radiation and a year of chemo. He remained in remission for 8 years, which is remarkable for the type of cancer he has. When he hit 5 years of remission, he was able to switch and do yearly scans. In March of 2022, he had regrowth in the original cavity. This treatment was another surgery, more radiation and chemo. For the last 2 years Jake has been receiving scans every 3 months due to regrowth. Over the last year Jake has had an uptick in seizures despite being on anti-seizure medication- one of which happened while he was driving. He suffered a dislocated shoulder, and which also required surgery.

This leads to the most recent update. Every three months Jake and Tiernay travel to MD Anderson in Houston Texas. Due to Jakes tumor and recurrences, MD Anderson is the best place to have him in full time care due to their advances in brain tumor treatment. At Jake’s most recent scan, in July, the doctors noticed a small change in his scan. After discussions between his oncologist and brain surgeon the decision was to have Jake undergo a fourth brain surgery to remove the questionable spots. On October 8th, Jake and Tiernay traveled back to Houston for his surgery.

Jake’s surgery was over a 13-hour process, but his surgeon felt confident she was able to retrieve what they were concerned about. Along with more of the area that could lead to further tumor growth.

Jake returned home after a week in Houston and has been home resting. The pathology returned to say that the area removed was a stage 4 Astrocytoma.

On October 30th, Jake and Tiernay went back to Houston to meet with doctors and learn more about his treatment plan.

The clinical trial team has enrolled him in a clinical trial and believe within a month or two Jake will be able to begin but we need financial approval from insurance and a spot to open within the trial.

For the time being, his doctors want him to start daily oral treatment from home and an injection of Keytruda (immunotherapy) every three weeks in Texas.

Jake and I want to thank you for all the prayers, love, meals and donations. All of the donations have helped us greatly as we have traveled and cared for our family through surgery and recovery. Not only have you helped us through this journey but have assisted in teaching our kids how to give and love as much as possible.

This is our journey, and we are praying our way through. It certainly is not easy, but we know God has a plan and we have faith in where He is leading us.

The Dirks Family