Mike Collum 27 Strong
Donation protected
My brother Mike has recently been diagnosed with a recurrence of squamous cell nasopharyngeal carcinoma. He is only 47.
Mike was originally diagnosed with this rare form of cancer 20 years ago. He began radiation treatments the same day his son, Bailey, was born. After 62 intense radiation treatments and a grueling recovery, he won the initial battle against this cancer. Although the radiation mitigated the cancer, he suffered consequential side effects over the years such as: loss of hearing, tooth decay, and salivary gland damage, making eating and swallowing difficult.
Two weeks ago, Mike began to have headaches and pain in his jaw. One morning he woke up unable to open his mouth. After going to the ER, we got the devastating news that his cancer had returned. Due to his previous radiation damage and the rarity and location of this cancer, surgery and treatment options are very limited. Mike will need to get multiple opinions from the best oncologists across the country in search of a promising treatment plan.
He has an amazing wife (Reneé) and four incredible kids (Cassie, Bailey, Dean and Jax). We all know Mike is a champion and we have faith he will overcome this battle again! Mike and Renee will be leaving the kids in North Carolina and traveling to New York's Memorial Sloan Kettering and Texas M.D. Anderson cancer centers over the next two weeks.
The financial aspects of this can be devastating to the family as they will have extensive travel and medical expenses. We've set a goal to raise $10,000 to cover some of their expenses.
Please help if you can. If we all just give a little, it can help one family a lot. Thank you.
For more check out Mike's website at www.27strong.com
Mike was originally diagnosed with this rare form of cancer 20 years ago. He began radiation treatments the same day his son, Bailey, was born. After 62 intense radiation treatments and a grueling recovery, he won the initial battle against this cancer. Although the radiation mitigated the cancer, he suffered consequential side effects over the years such as: loss of hearing, tooth decay, and salivary gland damage, making eating and swallowing difficult.
Two weeks ago, Mike began to have headaches and pain in his jaw. One morning he woke up unable to open his mouth. After going to the ER, we got the devastating news that his cancer had returned. Due to his previous radiation damage and the rarity and location of this cancer, surgery and treatment options are very limited. Mike will need to get multiple opinions from the best oncologists across the country in search of a promising treatment plan.
He has an amazing wife (Reneé) and four incredible kids (Cassie, Bailey, Dean and Jax). We all know Mike is a champion and we have faith he will overcome this battle again! Mike and Renee will be leaving the kids in North Carolina and traveling to New York's Memorial Sloan Kettering and Texas M.D. Anderson cancer centers over the next two weeks.
The financial aspects of this can be devastating to the family as they will have extensive travel and medical expenses. We've set a goal to raise $10,000 to cover some of their expenses.
Please help if you can. If we all just give a little, it can help one family a lot. Thank you.
For more check out Mike's website at www.27strong.com
Organizer and beneficiary
Todd Collum
Organizer
Maple Park, IL
Michael Collum
Beneficiary