Join Tyler's Fight Against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Help Tyler Fight Hodgkin’s Lymphoma — And Hold On to What Matters Most

Hi, my name is Tyler Dodson — I’m a husband, a father to two beautiful children, Paige (3) and Gavin (1), and I’ve just begun the fight of my life: a battle against Classic Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

This isn’t the kind of story I ever imagined having to tell.

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How It Started

Just before an annual golf trip with my dad this spring, I noticed a swollen lymph node in my neck. I brushed it off, hoping it was nothing. But it didn’t go away. I followed up with my doctor… and everything changed.

Within weeks, I was getting chest scans, biopsies, and sitting in rooms hearing words like “cancer,” “mass in your chest,” and “you need to start treatment right away.”

On June 18th, I officially started chemo. My life hasn’t been the same since — not physically, not emotionally, not relationally.

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The Real Cost

Cancer doesn’t just attack your body. It seeps into your relationships.

My daughter Paige is only three, but she knows something is different. She watches me cough until I can’t speak and sees me too tired to play. She hugs me longer now — like she knows her dad isn’t quite himself.

My one-year-old son Gavin has had to go days without seeing me. And when I FaceTime him from the hospital, he looks confused, like he’s trying to figure out why I’m not there to feed him, hold him, or make him laugh.

My wife Kelsey — the strongest woman I know — has had to carry the emotional load of this diagnosis while still taking care of our kids, our home, and me. We’re doing our best to stay steady… but the weight is real.

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Why We’re Asking for Help

We don’t know exactly how much this will cost — we just know it’s going to be more than we planned for.

Between travel to MD Anderson in Houston, hotel stays during treatment, time away from work, and the ongoing stack of medical bills, it’s a lot. And while we’re not expecting a free ride, so many people have asked how they can help. This is one way.

Every dollar raised will help ease the financial strain so we can focus on what really matters: healing, parenting, surviving… and hopefully, thriving again.

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If We Exceed Our Goal

If we are blessed to raise more than what’s needed to cover treatment and recovery costs, we will donate the remainder to St. Jude or a similar cancer charity — to honor those who’ve walked this road without the support we’ve been given.

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What I’m Fighting For

I’m not just fighting for my life — I’m fighting for bedtime stories with Paige, pizza nights with Gavin, and holiday mornings as a complete family.

I’m fighting to become a better husband, a stronger dad, and a more grateful man.

My prayer is to celebrate this Christmas in remission — cancer-free, surrounded by love, and able to breathe deeply again.

Thank you for your prayers, your kindness, and your support. We are truly humbled by every single person who stands beside us in this fight.

With all our love,

Tyler, Kelsey, Paige & Gavin Dodson