Join Mike's Fight Against Leukemia

Hello everyone, my name is Emily and I’m here to ask for some help for my best friends Mike and Katie who are too humble (and stubborn) to do this themselves. So let me start by telling you a bit about Mike and Katie.

These two couldn’t be more in love or more opposite, Mike is a giant teddy bear who towers over almost everyone with a passion for art and nerdy computer things I can’t even explain because it’s too complicated for me. Katie an Army Veteran is a full foot shorter than Mike (sorry Katie!) and the strong analytical type who would rather spend time with her assortment of rescue animals and garden than people. They just got ducks!

They are opposite in the exact right way. In 2018 they welcomed the most amazing intelligent compassionate big hearted little girl. She is the best parts of each of them combined.

15 years together and they are the strongest couple I have ever met. The best parents I have ever met. They are the best friends, siblings, son, daughter, neighbors and people I have ever met. If you know them, I have no doubt that you agree.

In November 2021 Mike started noticing fatigue and some on again off again swelling in his hands. The swelling got worse and Katie dragged his 6’4 butt to the ER where the blood work revealed a completely unexpected and life changing diagnosis of Leukemia.

Dec 16 2021 at 35 years old Mike had Acute myeloid leukemia. He was immediately sent to Stanford where they started aggressive chemo 7+3.

He was discharged Jan 2022 and continued outpatient induction chemotherapy locally. His doctors then discovered a chromosomal defect and they were informed Mike needed a donor for a bone marrow transplant. Mike’s brother Neal was found to be a 10/10 match and a bone marrow transplant was done at Stanford March 2023.

After this procedure Mike was admitted for observation, then required to be within a certain radius of the hospital for 100 days while undergoing outpatient treatment. His wife Katie and their 3 year old daughter packed up their entire life, and moved into a small apartment near the hospital. This meant paying their mortgage AND rent.

There was a chance Mikes body would reject the transplant, but it took! His blood type changed, how crazy is that!? Shout out to Neal for being a donor! After a very long road they got home July 2022 and got on the road to recovery.

Mike’s energy and vibrance slowly returned as the months went by and he started painting again, Katie returned to her job in Labor and Delivery, and their daughter started kindergarten with her dad back.

After 2.5 years cancer free with routine check ups, Mike lost his vision. Katie took him to the ER where the bloodwork showed no concern, then to an eye specialist which showed optic nerve swelling. The ophthalmologist sent them to Stanford for further testing.

May 16 2024 Mike and Katie were informed the AML had returned and was in his spinal fluid. Intensive spinal chemotherapy begun immediately.

These donations will help their family pay for copay’s, the percentage insurance doesn’t cover, fuel, hotels, childcare, and the other things that come along with his life saving treatment. The copay alone for spinal chemotherapy is $500 and Mike needs this 3 times a week until his doctor sees improvement.

If you’ve made it to the end of this, please consider sharing, donating, or both. Any little bit helps and we are so so grateful for any help. Join the fight for Mike and his amazing family! Thank you!