Help Travis and Mona Through This Tough Time

Hello, family, friends, racing family, and those we may not know personally. We want to start out by saying thank-you for clicking on the link and reading Travis’ story, or even sharing the link so others can. We as a family, are reaching out with a request for your help and support.

Our Grandpa Travis was diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and he's been on a challenging journey filled with uncertainty and difficult decisions since.

Travis was diagnosed with Stage 3 Squamous Cell Carcinoma in his epiglottis and the lymph node on the right side of his neck in the Fall of 2020. He was able to do chemo and radiation treatments, and thankfully was in remission for 2 years following the treatments. In 2022, during a follow up appointment, the doctor found a new tumor which resulted in a second time of going through chemo and radiation treatments. In September 2023, a Travis and Mona made the difficult decision for him to have a laryngectomy procedure to attempt to remove the tumor. This procedure caused him to lose his voice and receive a feeding tube for a length of time. For a year, he has adjusted to life with no voice, but he has spoken through action. He began doing things he greatly enjoys in his life such as racing at Park Jefferson on the weekends, and spending more time with family. He continued to push through. It is now November 2024, and the cancer has returned and spread. Unfortunately, he is unable to do any further procedures or radiation treatments. Travis is now completing 18 weeks of chemotherapy, and the side effects from that alone are difficult, plus the medication he has been prescribed has so many negative symptoms of its own. He is on palliative care with a prognosis of 1 1/2 years to live. Fingers crossed that this time comes with no complications.

Cancer not only takes a toll on one's health but also on their finances and emotional well-being. The medical bills, treatments, and all the associated costs were at one point manageable. As the years have passed, Travis’ has continued to fight, which includes working and maintaining his health while doing so. More recently, this has become extremely difficult as the cancer has returned and has greatly affected his day to day functionality. The inability to work normal hours that he so wishes he could, has placed a huge burden on the family as he has been the sole provider of the home.

Travis has always been the kind of man to put others before himself with no questions asked. For years, he prioritized his family over his personal hobbies and interests. From raising multiple grandchildren as his own, attending all sporting events as they grew up, bringing his family on trips to Minnesota every summer and Disney as often as he was able. His life revolved around ensuring the children never went without, and that his wife could have her morning coffee even if it was his last $5 for the week. He is truly a hardworking, loving, family man who has taken such pride in being able to provide for the people he loves. He does have reservations about asking for help, but as a family, we want to do what we can to now provide for him in any way we are able.

Due to health issues of her own, Grandma Mona, as everyone calls her, unfortunately, is unable to maintain the same financial ability Travis once was. She has been Travis’ greatest support for 23 years, and has never faltered.

To ensure that Travis’ gets the care and support he needs, our family has launched this GoFundMe to cover the cost of monthly bills and other living expenses.

We humbly ask for your contributions, no matter the amount, to ease the financial burden on Travis and Mona during this trying time when bills and expenses continue to accrue. Your support truly can make a difference in their lives while they continue to fight to make it through each day of this relentless illness.

Your kindness, prayers, donations and simply sharing this link are greatly appreciated! Thank you for being a part of this journey with us all.