Help Otto receive cancer treatments

Hi, I'm Mark Thayer. I want to tell you about my dear friend Otto Schonfelder who I've known for almost 40 years. His trade is building construction and he's a friend to everyone, loves the woods and everything that moves in it. He's a committed husband, father, grandfather, and most importantly a committed Christ follower. I'm helping raise funds for Otto to get critical treatment for stage 4 cancer. Here's a note from his daughter Angela that gives more detail about this need:

In November 2020, my dad (Otto Schonfelder) was working at Thomas Road Outpost, a camp for youth near the blue ridge parkway. He was struck with sharp pain in his abdomen and taken to the hospital. The next day, he was diagnosed with stage 4 bile duct cancer that had spread throughout his body.

I’ll never forget the night that Dad shared the news with our family around the dining room table that he would have (at best) anywhere from 6 months to a year to live. We cried and grieved as a family and prayed for a miracle.

I also remember that night, Dad rolled out the blueprints for a massive lodge for the TRO camp. He told me he was praying that God would allow him to live long enough to see this lodge built.

He started chemotherapy right away and as it kept the cancer from spreading too quickly, it came with some pretty intense side effects. After 60 or more chemo treatments, my dad and his doctors made the decision that the chemo had done as much as it could do for his cancer.

It is truly a miracle that nearly 3 years later, my dad is still alive and still going up to the camp to work almost every day. He still sends us pictures of bear sightings and autumn leaves changing color. And BONUS: that lodge is framed, has a roof and will be completed soon! Last week he gave me a tour of the lodge and as we were standing in the great hall, I said “Dad, you’re standing in the middle of an answered prayer.” He has been following a strict diet, getting vitamin infusions and oxygen therapy. But he will tell you, he believes the reason he is still here is because of the prayers of God’s people.

He has saved every card, note, and picture that you have sent and it means the world to him and my mom.

It is now critical that my dad receive another treatment as his pain is getting worse and his cancer is continuing to spread. There is a reputable clinic in Mexico that provides an intensive 21-day treatment that has saved and extended many lives.

My brother and I, and our family desperately want to send him for this treatment and would greatly appreciate any support you can provide financially and through prayer.

Thank you for loving Papa Otto so well through this season.

To God be the glory!