Well, after almost 2 years on my current treatment for metastatic ocular melanoma, it's time I need some help. Which, if you know me, is a huge thing for me to do! However, I am going to be starting a new treatment within the next couple of months that has had wild success... to put in perspective how good: my current treatment has about a 10-15% rate of keeping my cancer stable (not growing/no new tumors) and this new trial has a success rate of over 50% at SHRINKING the tumors. And even better odds at keeping me alive.

The treatment will be intense. Starting ASAP with a biopsy, blood donation, and more scans all down in Stanford in preparation. Once started, the treatment includes chemo, T-cell transplants, low dose IL-2, and I'm sure many sleepless nights. I will have to stay at the hospital at Stanford for 3 weeks and then stay within 30 miles of the hospital for a month post-treatment. But, I won't have continuous infusions and if all works, this would be my chance at getting into a position where I don't have active cancer.

Anything you can do will be so incredibly helpful in me getting down to Stanford multiple times and lodging, food, gas for the family to visit once treatment starts, etc. I do have some programs I'm looking into for assistance as well, and all suggestions are welcome! I'll add my Venmo and CashApp too because I know that's easier for some.

Venmo: agroom08

CashApp: $lyss1315

Much love to you all!

For those interested in the cool ass science behind this new treatment, this site has some great information: https://immatics.com/overview/actengine-ima203/