Hello, my name is Cathy Barnes & I am raising funds to help my brother-in-law, Todd Smith seek treatment for his Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. This is Todd's story:

Hope, Faith & One Last Shot at Life

For more than 6 years, Todd Smith has been fighting Cancer. I remember vividly, that Friday night on March 13, 2015, picking up the phone and hearing my sister Sandy tell me thru her tears, that Todd had been diagnosed with Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer. In an instant, their whole life changed and living took on a sense of urgency. Todd was just 47 years old when he was diagnosed.

In the days and months that followed, Todd endured a major surgery, a painful, long recovery, the first round of chemotherapy and he did so without ever complaining. He never wavered in his faith and he remained positive that he would not let the cancer beat him. Everyone who knew Todd was in awe of his strength and courage.

Over the last 6 years, Todd has gone through many more rounds of chemo, radiation & so many tests and procedures that we have lost count. He has seen his Stage 3 Cancer move to Stage 4. I kept waiting for signs that his resolve & his faith was weakening, but they never came. Still never complaining about all of the painful & debilitating side-effects of chemo, Todd remained strong in his faith in God and continued to be a positive source of inspiration to those around him. In that 6 years, and in-between treatment, Todd was able to live his life. He continued to work when he could, he was there to see his youngest daughter graduate, walk his oldest daughter down the aisle and see his first Grandson born.

Last month, Todd was told by his Dr. that the Chemo was no longer working. It was time to start looking at other alternative treatments. They would do 1 more round of radiation as a means of reducing his near constant pain; however there was nothing more that traditional medicine could do and he recommended that they research other options.

One of the alternatives that they have found is a clinic in Mexico that has had good success with prolonging the life of a cancer patient and improving the quality of that life. They have contacted this clinic and they are able to take Todd in the program. Honestly, this is most likely his last hope.

The last 6 years has completely drained Todd & Sandy of their finances. In order to continue to fight, they will need help. Help from family, friends & complete strangers. I know Todd & Sandy will never ask for that help, so I am asking for them. We need to raise a substantial amount of money in a very short time. Time is running out for Todd, so if you can help in any way, we would appreciate it. On May 25th, Todd’s second Grandson was born. This may be Todd’s only hope of seeing him grow, even to his first birthday. Please help us give Todd one last shot at Life.