#Hope4Billy - Tekulve Family Fights Glioblastoma

Friends – I am here today to make an earnest plea on behalf of my dear friends Billy and Sarah Tekulve. For as long as I have known them – I have benefited from their outdoor adventures and watching them joyously raise two children with fierce, competitive spirits. However, their world has been shaken by a devastating diagnosis: glioblastoma. Billy has an aggressive form of terminal brain cancer that threatens to cut short his time with his beloved family. Despite the formidable challenges ahead, we, as a compassionate community, can make a difference in the Tekulve family's journey. Billy's battle against glioblastoma demands immediate action. With a prognosis as short as 18 months, we cannot afford to stand idly by. This is a call to arms. Let us come together and rally behind the Tekulve family, offering financial assistance to alleviate the impending burdens. The average direct costs associated with the loss of a loved one can be staggering, and the impact on family income, especially with the death of a parent, is substantial. As friends and well-wishers, we can make a tangible impact by contributing to this fund, which will ease their financial strain and enhance their quality of life during these trying times. Billy's family needs us now, and your donation can make a meaningful difference. Join us in this crucial mission to support the Tekulves because together, we can turn the tide for a family in need. Act now, and let love and generosity define this chapter of their story.

But first - let me start by telling you a little bit about The Tekulve Family. Billy and Sarah met while working together as referees in a regional soccer tournament. Billy, meticulous in his affections, managed to win Sarah’s heart by recalling the smallest details Sarah had shared at just the right time in their conversations, showing how closely he was listening. A few months later, they traveled with a group of referees to Hawaii for another tournament. They flirted the whole trip, and Sarah bought him a soccer ball lei, which he wore on the flight home. They arranged to switch seats with a friend to be next to each other and hold hands for the first time. Avid outdoorsmen, they got married at a secluded pavilion by Lake Pleasant. The ceremony was almost delayed by a sleeping rattlesnake lying next to the altar, but they didn’t mind. Since getting married, they have had two sweet children. For their gender reveal, Billy fired a compound bow at a balloon full of blue paint to announce the upcoming birth of their son they expected right before Elk season. Their children share a love of soccer with Billy and Sarah. They have both taken the fierce, competitive spirit that their parents share in common and give every game their all – whether that’s on a field or on a monopoly board. Billy is even competitive with himself – always challenging himself to come up with innovative new recipes and ways to feed his family. He is known across his entire extended family for his excellent, slow-smoked brisket.

Glioblastoma, an aggressive and often terminal form of brain cancer, is characterized by its rapid growth and unstoppable spread. This malignant tumor arises from glial cells and presents immense challenges in treatment due to its tendency to spread into surrounding brain tissue, making complete surgical removal nearly impossible. This is the disease plaguing our good friend Billy. Treatment will involve a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. However, even with aggressive intervention, the prognosis remains bleak. Billy may only have as few as 18 months to live. The impact of glioblastoma on Billy’s life will be profound and distressing. His physical and cognitive functions could deteriorate rapidly, leading to severe neurological symptoms such as headaches, seizures, and cognitive decline. Emotional and psychological tolls of Glioblastoma will be substantial for Billy and his whole family, as the disease not only threatens life but also erodes the quality of life. Coping with the inevitable decline in health, uncertainty, and the emotional toll of impending loss becomes an arduous journey.

Friends – we are praying for a miracle and for Billy to beat this cancer. But the gravity of his terminal diagnosis means that we, as members of Billy’s community, must take action NOW to help The Tekulve’s prepare for the hardship they will endure in his absence. According to a January 2023 article published by Forbes Magazine, the average direct costs related to death of a loved one can reach $20,000; that is BEFORE factoring in lost wages are taken into consideration. According to a study published by The American Economic Association, “The death of a parent has a substantial negative effect on income of the offspring… and we find that such effects are larger if parental death happened in the very early stages of life.” What this means is that if you want to help The Tekulve Family in the best way possible – help them by making a donation towards their quality of life TODAY.

You can help in a couple of ways:

Billy has no time to waste, and neither do we. Join us in supporting Billy and his family through a life impacted by this terrible disease. MAKE A DONATION TODAY!!!

Sincerely,

Alex Liesegang & Dave Robbins