Michael's Fight Against Stage 4 Cancer

Hi, my name is Donna Flake, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my husband and my family. My husband (the love of my life), Michael Flake, has been recently diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma cancer of the glandular cells that has spread to his colon, liver, and the lymph nodes in his chest. He will start chemotherapy treatment today, 5/20/2025, and while I continue to pray and remain hopeful for his remission, having cancer is truly life-changing and debilitating. Who can think and function at a time like this? His diagnosis has forced him to leave a very much-loved career, and my employer has forced me to take a personal leave of absence without pay, to try and save me from being let go on the premise of the time I have missed to take care of my husband. Because of this, I cannot take time off until June 2025, and until I work over 1,250 hours or am there for 12 months, I am not eligible for the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). I just started this job on March 17, 2025. We have been struggling to make ends meet and have no income coming in (we have been living off our savings). I am fearful of the future that may befall us. So, I am trying to raise funds to help cover the cost of treatments, medications, transportation, food, bills already accrued, and any specialty items Michael might need and to stay in the home we have lived in for almost 19 years and raised not only our three children in, but also any friends of our children who have needed a place to stay while trying to figure out their life journey.

I am asking for help from my family, friends, peers, and community to help me keep him on this earth with us, as long as possible, the way we promised each other we would on the day we got married.

If you can donate any amount, no matter how small, it would mean the world to not only Michael and myself but our family. It will allow us to focus on Michael's comfort and care, so we can support him as much as we can while he is going through this.

Any support will help relieve huge financial worries for Michael and allow him to focus on healing. Even if you can’t donate fiscally, please consider the donation of sharing this message to help us reach more people. Every bit of support counts.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, support, and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.