Please help us help Nat beat brain cancer

Many of you know and love Nat Zappia the way we know and love him. Nat is a dedicated and loving father to Olivia (12) and Aidan (9), a devoted husband to Jennifer, a caring son to his mom, Gail, and a giving and compassionate brother to his sisters, sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. He is a collaborative co-worker, a passionate teacher and a best friend to all. He has an extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles and friends who are like family, all of whom he deeply cares for. He would do anything for any of us. We all care for Nat with our whole hearts. In this world, it is rare to meet a man as generous, inclusive, selfless and vibrant as Nat. Nat has made such a positive impact on so many lives.

As some of you already know, at the end of January Nat began experiencing numbness and tingling in his left arm that became progressively worse over a week. He went to urgent care and was sent to the ER to be scanned via an MRI. What was initially thought to be vertigo, turned out to be diagnosed as something much worse. His scan showed multiple tumors on his brain, including one that very suspiciously looked like cancer. After a stay at UCLA hospital and a biopsy within a week’s time, what we all feared became reality: Nat was diagnosed with inoperable high-grade Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), stage 4. GBM is an aggressive form of brain cancer that tends to attack the person suffering from it with force. In order to effectively diagnose GBM, a biopsy of the brain is conducted to evaluate the brain cells and in some rare instances, the biopsy can result in issues with movement and in rare cases, paralysis. At this time, Nat is immobile and unable to walk independently as a result of his biopsy. As you can imagine, this has been devastating for Nat but also life- changing for his family, especially his wife Jenn, who is currently the primary caretaker for Nat and their children.

Nat has not been home with his family in 6 weeks, spending all of his time at UCLA Hospital and at a nearby rehab center, where he has been put through daily, rigorous physical and occupational therapy as well as multiple MRIs and tests. He remains as positive as he can; meditating, and visiting with Jenn and the kids and family members and friends who have been stopping by, all while knowing this disease is brutally taking some of his physical, mental and cognitive abilities away. Nat’s left side is essentially immobile and mobility on his right side is regressing, which requires physical help from at least 2 strong people to move him and/or a wheelchair for him to get around. We don’t know when or if he will be able to walk unassisted again. He is expected to be sent home this week and will begin his first round of treatments (6 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy) next week (the week of March 13th), with a brief break before starting additional treatments later in spring.

As you can imagine, the sudden and extreme onset of this disease has caused Nat’s faithful family’s lives to be turned upside down. Hours and hours have been spent traveling to and from the hospital and rehab to spend time together, additional time has been spent with doctors and support staff to learn more about how together, they may be able to battle this destructive disease. We are all spending time researching everything from home health care, home medical equipment rentals and purchases, transportation, clinical trials, doctors and specialists, support groups and much more. Nat, Jenn, Olivia and Aidan live in a multi-level apartment in an expensive city and will need lots of emotional, physical and financial support as they get through this painful time. The Brain Tumor Foundation estimates the cost to treat Stage 4 GBM is anywhere from $400,000- $750,000, and unfortunately, the HMO Jenn and Nat are subscribed to does not cover the bulk of medical costs and treatments. In addition to the expensive medical treatment, Nat’s condition will require at-home health care (nurses/aides), medical supplies (including hospital-grade beds, a wheelchair, wheelchair ramps, an in-house chair lift, and ambulatory transportation between medical appointments) and so much more that we don’t even understand yet. Jenn and Nat’s employers have been unbelievably supportive; providing time off, flexibility and so much encouragement. And their co-workers have provided neverending moral support, meals and other sources of comfort, but given Nat’s prognosis, this will be a long, uncertain road ahead.

We are starting this GoFundMe to ease the burden on Nat, Jenn, and the kids, and are hoping that raising money for them will allow them the opportunity to spend their time together and to focus on their love for one another. Jenn is doing so much to keep all the balls in the air - from managing Nat’s care, working full time and taking care of their children’s needs, while also looking out for her own mental and physical health. Insurance will cover some of their medical necessities but we know that their costs will continue to pile up as treatments continue and as their needs evolve.

Jenn and Nat are humble people that never expected to be in a position to ask for help, especially not financial support. They never expected to be in a position to be fighting for Nat’s life - which is exactly what funds raised will help the Zappia family do.

We are so grateful for the outpouring of love, support and prayers and will appreciate any donation you can make to help them navigate this daunting journey.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.