Ed Pitts - End of Life Fund
Donation protected
Update July 16, 2018
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Ed Pitts, (Edward Paul Pitts Jr) , Eddie passed away at 3:35 pm on July 13, 2018 at St Davids Hospital in Austin, Texas. Eddie stopped at nothing as he quietly faced his diagnosis with grit and grace for the past 7 years. He was surrounded by his family and so much love. While we find ourselves grieving hard for this unexpected loss, we know he is no longer suffering and he is in a much better place and for that we must find joy.
We all want to acknowledge and share both our joy in the gift that Eddie's life was to us, and the pain that his passing brings. In sharing the joy and the pain together over the past few days, we feel that we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the joy and the laughter that Eddie brought into almost every situation he faced.
There were many wonderful aspects to Eddies life, and ways that he touched so many. He will be remembered as a great husband, dad & grandfather, a wonderful brother, a awesome friend, loving uncle, cousin, a jokester, Dallas Cowboy fanatic, a friendly face in town, or inspiring coach on the sidelines. In all these ways and more, he made our lives richer and fuller. Now that he has passed away, of course there is emptiness and pain, confusion and maybe even anger at death coming to a man of only 65 years, but in many ways, the gift of Eddie's life is still here with us. His spirit will live on in our memories and stories. So please feel free to share your love, your stories and memories as these are the moments we all hang on too.
As his family plans the arrangements for Eddie, any donation would be greatly appreciated as proceeds raised will go directly toward Eddie's, cremation, and medical bills that piled up over the past 7 years. On behalf of the entire family, I’d like to thank you all for your love & support today and everyday.
Margie Hamrick - Sister, Vail, Colorado
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cancer has taken the life of my brother Eddie but not his spirit and his passion for life. I didn’t think he would be gone this fast and wish I had just one more minute. We made it to Austin to hear him tell us a few more jokes and use his last breath trying to make us laugh. Eddie was determined to find a cure and he & Bonni stopped at nothing. So I will close with a message from my brother - “Live well, Laugh hard and Love big” because no one makes it out alive - Van Morrison
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to help Eddie’s family with medical costs incurred over the past 7 years. Our hearts are broken and your love & support is food for our soul. Big hugs Big love!!!!
———————————————————————-
My big brother became a grandfather for the third time on May 25, 2018. Enjoying his family and the peace that comes with his status of “remission” from Lymphoma for the past few months, this year was an exciting year as he was feeling better with each day and his daughter Ashley just gave birth to a sweet baby girl. Living in Austin surrounded by his children, Adam & Erin, Austin & Ashley & Matt, and his three beautiful granddaughters Nova, Leona & Evryn, there was much to celebrate. This past weekend, things took a turn for the worse. Feeling tired and extremely weak his wife Bonni rushed him to the hospital in Austin, where their worst nightmare became a reality. The cancer was back in full force.
In 2011 Eddie was diagnosed with B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. His treatment plan included Hyper CVAD, R-CHCP and two years of Rutuxan maintenance. He relapsed in July 2017 and was treated again this time with R-ICE and then a stem cell transplant in December of 2017. This week the cancer returned and he has been in the hospital in Austin, Texas where he lives as he prepares for round 3. At this time the care team has given Eddie 3 options:
1. Do nothing and keep him comfortable
2. Treat with standard chemo and they give him up to 6 months or less to live
3. Car-T Therapy – New treatment program with hope for a cure
They are telling my brother that time is of the essence and they really think he is a good candidate for the Car-T Therapy, a new treatment that is his only hope. The problem is time and money. My brother and his wife have spent the last seven years fighting this cancer and have used their entire life savings along the way.
CAR-T Therapy is our only hope at this time. Eddie is weak and his blood pressure, platelets and white blood counts are critically low, along with the fact he lives in Austin, TX and multiple round trips to Baylor Medical in Dallas will take their toll on him. However, he is determined to make the trip to Baylor Medical in Dallas and begin the process of CAR-T Therapy.
Together we are on a mission to kick this cancer to the curb and finding a cure with this new and extremely hopeful trials therapy. Bonni and Eddie are off work indefinitely as they focus on getting Eddie Cancer free.
Please help Eddie & Bonni during this incredibly tough time. We are asking for donations to help them keep up with living expenses, treatment travel, and future treatment options.
Together we are positive Eddie can and will be the miracle patient and make history with this treatment. We hope that taking part in this innovative trials program will not only cure my brother but also help make this program accessible to everyone who is diagnosed with cancer. This is a big mountain to climb but we know we will get there with help from our friends and family, nurses, doctors and prayers.
This is a very delicate time and we ask that all notes of encouragement, questions, prayers and messages please be directed to me at [email redacted] Each message will be shared and answered by a member of our family. We want to protect Eddie’s privacy so he and Bonni can stay focused on the healing process.
Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts,
Family & Friends of Eddie & Bonni Pitts
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Ed Pitts, (Edward Paul Pitts Jr) , Eddie passed away at 3:35 pm on July 13, 2018 at St Davids Hospital in Austin, Texas. Eddie stopped at nothing as he quietly faced his diagnosis with grit and grace for the past 7 years. He was surrounded by his family and so much love. While we find ourselves grieving hard for this unexpected loss, we know he is no longer suffering and he is in a much better place and for that we must find joy.
We all want to acknowledge and share both our joy in the gift that Eddie's life was to us, and the pain that his passing brings. In sharing the joy and the pain together over the past few days, we feel that we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the joy and the laughter that Eddie brought into almost every situation he faced.
There were many wonderful aspects to Eddies life, and ways that he touched so many. He will be remembered as a great husband, dad & grandfather, a wonderful brother, a awesome friend, loving uncle, cousin, a jokester, Dallas Cowboy fanatic, a friendly face in town, or inspiring coach on the sidelines. In all these ways and more, he made our lives richer and fuller. Now that he has passed away, of course there is emptiness and pain, confusion and maybe even anger at death coming to a man of only 65 years, but in many ways, the gift of Eddie's life is still here with us. His spirit will live on in our memories and stories. So please feel free to share your love, your stories and memories as these are the moments we all hang on too.
As his family plans the arrangements for Eddie, any donation would be greatly appreciated as proceeds raised will go directly toward Eddie's, cremation, and medical bills that piled up over the past 7 years. On behalf of the entire family, I’d like to thank you all for your love & support today and everyday.
Margie Hamrick - Sister, Vail, Colorado
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cancer has taken the life of my brother Eddie but not his spirit and his passion for life. I didn’t think he would be gone this fast and wish I had just one more minute. We made it to Austin to hear him tell us a few more jokes and use his last breath trying to make us laugh. Eddie was determined to find a cure and he & Bonni stopped at nothing. So I will close with a message from my brother - “Live well, Laugh hard and Love big” because no one makes it out alive - Van Morrison
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to help Eddie’s family with medical costs incurred over the past 7 years. Our hearts are broken and your love & support is food for our soul. Big hugs Big love!!!!
———————————————————————-
My big brother became a grandfather for the third time on May 25, 2018. Enjoying his family and the peace that comes with his status of “remission” from Lymphoma for the past few months, this year was an exciting year as he was feeling better with each day and his daughter Ashley just gave birth to a sweet baby girl. Living in Austin surrounded by his children, Adam & Erin, Austin & Ashley & Matt, and his three beautiful granddaughters Nova, Leona & Evryn, there was much to celebrate. This past weekend, things took a turn for the worse. Feeling tired and extremely weak his wife Bonni rushed him to the hospital in Austin, where their worst nightmare became a reality. The cancer was back in full force.
In 2011 Eddie was diagnosed with B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. His treatment plan included Hyper CVAD, R-CHCP and two years of Rutuxan maintenance. He relapsed in July 2017 and was treated again this time with R-ICE and then a stem cell transplant in December of 2017. This week the cancer returned and he has been in the hospital in Austin, Texas where he lives as he prepares for round 3. At this time the care team has given Eddie 3 options:
1. Do nothing and keep him comfortable
2. Treat with standard chemo and they give him up to 6 months or less to live
3. Car-T Therapy – New treatment program with hope for a cure
They are telling my brother that time is of the essence and they really think he is a good candidate for the Car-T Therapy, a new treatment that is his only hope. The problem is time and money. My brother and his wife have spent the last seven years fighting this cancer and have used their entire life savings along the way.
CAR-T Therapy is our only hope at this time. Eddie is weak and his blood pressure, platelets and white blood counts are critically low, along with the fact he lives in Austin, TX and multiple round trips to Baylor Medical in Dallas will take their toll on him. However, he is determined to make the trip to Baylor Medical in Dallas and begin the process of CAR-T Therapy.
Together we are on a mission to kick this cancer to the curb and finding a cure with this new and extremely hopeful trials therapy. Bonni and Eddie are off work indefinitely as they focus on getting Eddie Cancer free.
Please help Eddie & Bonni during this incredibly tough time. We are asking for donations to help them keep up with living expenses, treatment travel, and future treatment options.
Together we are positive Eddie can and will be the miracle patient and make history with this treatment. We hope that taking part in this innovative trials program will not only cure my brother but also help make this program accessible to everyone who is diagnosed with cancer. This is a big mountain to climb but we know we will get there with help from our friends and family, nurses, doctors and prayers.
This is a very delicate time and we ask that all notes of encouragement, questions, prayers and messages please be directed to me at [email redacted] Each message will be shared and answered by a member of our family. We want to protect Eddie’s privacy so he and Bonni can stay focused on the healing process.
Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts,
Family & Friends of Eddie & Bonni Pitts
Organizer
Ed Pitts
Organizer
Austin, TX