After several months of struggling to eat and losing weight almost daily, Rick went to see his doctor. After another 3 weeks of more weight loss and a diet of Malt-O-Meal and DQ Blizzards, quick action was taken in having several tests done. On October 2, 2023 The Burgin’s lives were completely turned upside down, when Rick was diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer. The cancer has spread to his liver, lymph nodes and around his aorta.

The prognosis with this rare, yet aggressive form of cancer was 6 months without treatment or 12-18 months with chemotherapy. Rick attended many meetings with his Cancer Care Team where they were preparing him for the end and his first chemo treatment. It was HORRIBLE! And NOT how Rick wished to spend the next 12-18 months awaiting his death.

A friend told Rick about a Cancer Treatment Center in Arizona that provides alternative/integrative care utilizing the best tailored diagnostic and treatment plans. ‘Sign me up!’, Rick said. The only downside to this alternative is very little is covered by insurance.

Yet, this center’s goal is to help Rick achieve optimal health and well-being in a positive environment with radical loving care and Christian healing. Their goal is to help Rick LIVE— not prepare him to die.

This is something Rick and Stacy feel God sent their way!

Rick closed his business. Stacy took an unpaid leave from her job. They are currently in Arizona attending 14 weeks of daily treatments.

While they are hyper-focused on seeing this through and overcoming the challenges of not being able to eat, continuous weight loss, and fighting the pain brought on by the cancer — they are not able to overlook the cost of all of this top of the line treatment.

• 14 weeks of daily treatment = $140,000

• CIPI- Surgical procedure injecting chemo directly into the esophageal tumor itself and the right lobe of the liver = $30,000

• Specialized lab work to determine the cause of the cancer = $9000

•Autologous Adoptive Immunotherapy Treatment in Mexico: Trip 1- harvesting of Rick’s white blood cells (completed).

6-8 weeks for the blood cells to be introduced to Rick’s specific type of cancer cells, then growing and multiplying them into Natural Killer T-cells. Trip 2- will reintroduce these new cells into Rick’s system (pending). = $137,000

• Plus many additional costs including:

- Feeding tube placement and care

- Home Care for feeding and hydration supplements

- A plethora of prescriptions and medications

- 2 ER visits, etc, etc…

With the new year Rick and Stacy face ‘starting over’ with insurance deductibles and out of pocket costs. They are currently dealing with the worry and stress of no current income, but also paying whatever it takes to save Rick’s life.

Life is a gift!

If you would like to help Rick on his journey to healing, please feel free to utilize this Go Fund Me account OR donations may be sent to:

Stockman Bank

PO BOX 80350

Billings MT 59108

Attn: Medical Benefit of Rick Burgin