Please help the Williams Family on their Cancer journey.

Hello! My name is Katie Williams. In December 2024, my husband and best friend of 17 years, Matt, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Oral cancer. He was taken to surgery ASAP following the diagnosis and had a radical resection involving his entire lower teeth and gumline. This was followed by extensive maxillofacial reconstructive grafting to rebuild the integrity of his mouth and jaw. He had a tracheostomy to protect his airway from all the swelling that came with radiation treatment after surgery. That has since been removed, but continues to threaten his airway with recurring infections.

He has had an amazing attitude throughout all of this and has maintained a strong perspective of hope and encouragement for our 5 beautiful children, who range from ages 6 - 16.

Recently, however, Matts medical team informed us that the cancer had returned, and aggressively spread to his neck and chest which made it difficult to swallow. And the infections at his trache site leave him with a constant fear of suffocating in his sleep. Recently, the pain has become so excruciating and unbearable, that he had no choice but to cease chemo treatments. On July 5, the kids and I helped Matt to the car, and we drove him to Perrysburg Hospice, where he made a very brave but difficult decision to be admitted to inpatient Hospice. He reminds the kids often “I’m not giving up. I just need to rest”.

We are doing our very best to wear a happy face for our children, and we are trying to be prepared, not scared. But so much of being prepared is having financial hope. This is why I am asking for help. Over the past 8 months, we have endured countless doctor visits, hospital stays, procedures, surgeries, chemo, radiation... and just life. The incredible burden of time (away from our children) and lack of financial resources is a crushing weight. If you choose to help our family through this difficult journey, I can assure you the money will be spent with great care. It will especially help defray astronomical medical costs and overwhelming bills that have snowballed from staying home to care for my husband and our children.

I know that you all have a cross to carry. And I hope that I can repay a kindness when it comes back around to me. If it is not in your means to do so, we would warmly accept your thoughts, prayers, positive energy… and return it back to you as well.

Thank you… and God bless,

The Williams Family

Katie, Matt, Matthew, Steven, Christy, Abby, and Henry.