Help With Cancer Treatment For Minter Garvin

Hi, I’m Andrew, and I’m fundraising for my father, Minter Garvin, at the request of numerous friends and family. My dad was diagnosed with testicular cancer around ten months ago. After one surgery, doctors realized that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. He underwent four rounds of chemotherapy between April and August on 2021, but it wasn’t enough. The cancer was still there. After talking to numerous sources, he was referred to the Simon Cancer Center at Indiana University. He is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy combined with stem cell therapy to fight the cancer. He is to undergo two rounds of chemo - both three full days each - with three weeks of rest between rounds. The stem cells are to aid his body in recovery and we’re retrieved via his own bone marrow. The chemo would likely destroy his organs without the stem cell therapy and Indianapolis was the only place he could go to receive this treatment. My mother, Neccy, is in Indiana with him while he undergoes treatment.

As you can imagine, this has had a great impact on our family in many aspects. As a result of such intensive chemo, his immune system is completely shot and will be for a long time. He has to receive daily transfusions to keep his hemoglobin, platelets, and white blood cells at acceptable numbers for his body to keep functioning for the duration of his treatment. He cannot have visitors other than my mother due to immunity issues. This will also affect his ability to work for some time.

This also has impacts back home in Georgia. Family and friends are currently working to get their home ready for his return. Making upgrades to bathrooms for accessibility, and removing carpet and other aspects of their home that could pose health risks - as well as other necessary repairs - has been an issue that we are currently trying to tackle. Right now, the costs for treatment alone after insurance are at roughly $200 per day, and this is a months-long process. This also doesn’t account for matching their deductible after the New Year. It has been very stressful to say the least, but we have a fantastic support system, from God, our family and friends, and the local community as a whole.

Many of you know that my parents are always the first to action when our friends and family need help, from the numerous benefits they’ve helped organize to simply being there for somebody going through a difficult time. In fact, the main reason that I’ve organized this fundraiser is because so many of our friends and family have asked me to. Many of you will also know that neither of my parents are very good at asking for help when they need it, something that must run in the family. However, enough people have been willing to help through what has undoubtedly been the most difficult time our family has ever faced that I would be remiss if I didn’t swallow some pride and accept the help. Dad, keep that in mind because I know you’re going to read this…

In closing, I’m not quite sure how all of this works and I’m not even sure if I’ve done this correctly, but our family appreciates all of the well-wishes and all of the aid we have received. I’m very thankful to have parents who care so deeply about each other and their kids. I’m especially thankful for my brother who has stepped up to manage a lot of aspects on the home front. I’m thankful for my grandparents who refuse to let us fail in getting these issues tackled. I’m thankful for our friends who finally bugged and guilted me enough into not worrying about how much this will initially annoy dad because it’s a worthwhile effort. Hopefully, everything goes well here. Please feel free to reach out for any further information or to make suggestions. I’m new at all of this.

P.S. Dad, this was a combined effort from a lot of folks who really care. I’m just the one who can navigate a website. Love you guys.