Hello, all. This GoFundMe is started on behalf of Lonnie by his two daughters, Holly and Savannah.

Our dad has never really been the type to ask for help. He has always been one to prepare for rainy days and has done everything he’s supposed to in preparing for his future. He has also been blessed with good health for most of his life!

But, in October of 2020, our worst nightmare came true: our dad didn’t return home one Monday morning.

We began looking for him everywhere we could think of. Savannah scoured the places he frequents and managed to find his car. After a short talk with security, our hearts plummeted and we were told he had been taken away by an ambulance on Sunday.

Moments later, Tacoma General Hospital reached out and told us that our father had collapsed and had a grand mal seizure—followed by another seizure in the hospital.  

He was in the ICU alive— intubated and incapacitated.

Just days before, my dad and I (Holly) were laughing over a late lunch, talking about how he would stop by on his way home from work more often. Within a week, he was unconscious in a hospital bed just hanging on thanks to hospital staff. Let me tell you, nothing prepares you to see your parent in such a state. It is one of the most frightening feelings that we wouldn’t wish on anyone.

It was determined initially that he had brain lesions and a pituitary hemorrhage that could potentially be causing the problem.

However, after a few weeks of additional testing, doctors identified a high-grade glioblastoma—the most aggressive type of cancerous brain tumor—and within a week he was undergoing major brain surgery. Glioblastoma usually goes unnoticed, undetected, and silent until symptoms become more obvious. The only way to treat this type of cancer is with chemo and radiation therapy. There is no cure.

Our dad has always been a fighter and no matter the situation, he tackles things head-on. After our mother died in 2001, he became a single dad and raised his two young girls with the help of his sister (our aunt). He worked for years on end as a Boeing machinist without a day off just to put a roof over our heads. He diligently put money away for us for college, whatever it was that we wanted to do with our lives, and his own retirement. However, U.S. hospital bills are extremely expensive and even after all those years of saving AND excellent health insurance, this treatment will likely undo everything he’s tirelessly worked for. 

Lonnie and his wife, Shauna. 

Lonnie and his daughter Savannah in the Seattle times-- 1995

Lonnie and his youngest daughter, Savannah. 

Our fight has only just begun, but we are determined to fight it alongside him. 

But we are going to need some help.

2020 was a hard year for everyone. We understand not everyone will be able to, but if you have the means to help, even with a small gesture such as sharing this GoFundMe, we would be forever grateful. 

All funds will be used for Lonnie’s care, treatments, medical bills, food, and housing expenses.

As of January 16th, 2021 at 2:30 PM PST his eldest daughter, Holly, started a LIVE cooking stream that includes Speed Runs, Mystery Baskets, Baking, 1st Attempts, as well as Q&A while she streams! 

Please join us as we cook our way to our donation goal, everyone is invited! You can find that series HERE. 

More information regarding episode content and viewing times will be available there on her front page. 

Lonnie and his eldest daughter, Holly, after receiving her AAS culinary degree with her dad's help!