Support David's Fight Against Colon Cancer
Donation protected
Help David, a Devoted Single Dad, Fight Aggressive Colon Cancer
“Babe, they found something… and it’s not good.”
In late January, I received a call from my best friend and life partner, David, that changed our lives forever.
The short version - David has Advanced Colorectal Cancer with a BRAF V600E mutation. It’s deadly serious, and we are throwing everything we can at this fight. Neither Dave nor I are the kind of people who ask for help—but we’ve come to the difficult realization that we can’t do this alone. We need a village.
What happened?
A few days after his 40th birthday, David went to the ER with severe abdominal pain after bumping into a door handle. The pain wouldn’t go away. A CT scan revealed a large mass, and within days, he was in emergency surgery.
Doctors removed a tumor the size of a child’s soccer ball and 14 inches of his colon.
By some miracle, they were able to reattach his colon without a colostomy bag. But that was just the beginning of this nightmare. Since that initial surgery, David has been hospitalized four more times due to life-threatening complications, including small bowel obstructions and blood clots.
Did He Have Symptoms?
Looking back, there were signs—but nothing obvious. Dave had been fatigued for months and had mild back pain, which he attributed to stress and an old car accident injury from his 20s.
His oncologist says this tumor had likely been growing for at least five years, but with no symptoms and colonscopy screenings
The Plan: Aggressive & Hopeful
We are incredibly grateful to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, who led us to our oncologist at City of Hope Irvine—one of the best in the field.
Dave is undergoing an aggressive treatment plan that includes:
✔ 4-6 months of chemotherapy
✔ A targeted daily therapy called Braftovi (FDA approved just months ago)
✔ Another major surgery following chemotherapy
His doctor calls this a curative treatment. But cancer is a moving target, and we don’t know exactly how long this fight will last or what it will require. We are controlling what we can and putting our faith in the best medical team possible.
Why We Need Your Help
Insurance covers some of the basics, but there are many critical treatments that aren’t covered—treatments that could make all the difference. We are aiming to raise $100,000 to alleviate the substantial financial stress that accompanies Dave’s urgent medical treatment and to provide essential family support during this challenging time. The National Cancer Institute places colorectal cancer at a minimum $100k financial burden.
Funds will go toward:
- Additional life-saving treatments – High-dose vitamin C infusions, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, acupuncture, integrative medicine, and other emerging therapies.
- Daily living expenses – While he is able to work in a limited capacity, the financial burden is growing.
- Household support – A housekeeper, landscaper, meal services, and even dog grooming—things Dave has always handled himself but now needs help with.
- Travel & medical costs – City of Hope Irvine is two hours from Dave’s home, and the cost of commuting, treatment, and caregiving adds up quickly.
I am hoping we can lift the financial burden so that he can focus on his physical and mental health.
The Logistics: A Constant Balancing Act
Dave and I live two hours apart, each with our own children and demanding schedules.
His two young daughters, are incredibly strong, but they need their dad. They have busy schedules filled with sports and activities, and keeping life as normal as possible for them is a priority.
Dave’s parents and family live out of state and have been immensely supportive, but they can’t be here full-time.
How You Can Help
✔ Donate – Any amount, big or small, will help relieve the financial strain on Dave and allow him to access the best possible care.
✔If you would like to send funds in other ways, you can Venmo David :
(last 4 of his phone are 8877)
✔ Spread Awareness – If you are due for a colonoscopy, schedule it now. Early detection saves lives.
✔ Donate to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance – Their guidance has been life-changing for us.
How is Dave Holding Up?
He is exhausted, but fighting. Treatment takes everything out of him, but he remains positive, strong, and determined. He still finds a way to laugh every day and cherish every moment with his girls.
He misses running around after his girls, being on the golf course and on his parents’ farm baling hay—but right now, the fight comes first.
Thank You
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for showing up for us during this unimaginable time. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, support, prayers and It means the world.
We are beyond grateful for this community, and we know that with your love and support, we can kick this colorectal cancer in the ass (literally).
Big hugs, big love, big laughs, big thanks,
Alex Gagné + David Pratt
Organizer and beneficiary
Alex Gagne
Organizer
Indio, CA
David Pratt
Beneficiary