Rally for Micah and Megan: Facing Glioblastoma

Support for Micah Horton’s Healing Journey

Micah’s Treatment Update – July 2025

Micah is now in his final week of chemotherapy and radiation. We’re incredibly grateful to share that he’s experienced very few side effects. While he had a few seizures early on, recent medication adjustments have helped bring them under control.

We have a post-treatment appointment with Dr. Mantilla on July 23. The care team plans to wait about a month before performing a follow-up MRI to allow any radiation-related swelling to subside.

In the weeks following radiation, Micah will begin wearing the Optune Gio device. This is a wearable therapy that delivers Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) to the brain for 18 hours a day. The goal is to disrupt cancer cell division and reduce the risk of recurrence.

We’re also actively exploring next steps, including personalized neoantigen vaccines, which represent one of the most promising experimental treatments currently available for glioblastoma. These vaccines are tailored to each patient’s unique tumor and immune profile and are designed to train the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

We’re in contact with two organizations that offer this treatment:

• The Jamie Leandro Foundation (JLF) – a U.S.-based nonprofit that provides compassionate access to personalized cancer vaccines within FDA guidelines. JLF offers up to 7 vaccine doses using up to 16 selected peptides based on tumor sequencing. Administration is available in Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, San Francisco, and St. Louis.

• CeGat – a Germany-based company that produces a more extensive version of the vaccine, offering 16 doses with up to 32 peptides. However, this requires travel to Germany for each dose and is not currently FDA-approved.

The next step is DNA/RNA sequencing, which identifies specific mutations in Micah’s tumor that can be used to develop the personalized vaccine. JLF will accept sequencing results from CeGat, but CeGat will not accept JLF’s. This sequencing step is essential for determining eligibility and beginning vaccine design.

Because this is experimental medicine, it is not covered by insurance (with the possible exception of sequencing). It is not part of a clinical trial, so the full cost is the patient’s responsibility. Clinical trials are typically only available after tumor recurrence, and do not guarantee access to treatment due to the possibility of placebo arms and strict eligibility requirements.

We are doing everything we can to prepare for the possibility of recurrence and to give Micah the best chance at long-term survival.

The total cost for sequencing, designing, manufacturing, storing, and administering the vaccine is $100,000.

I truly believe the money will come and that paths will open before us.

Most of all, I’m so grateful that Micah has tolerated treatment well—and that soon, he’ll get a break from the daily routine of chemo and radiation.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. It means everything.

With gratitude,

Megan & Micah

June 10, 2025

Update: Love, Laughter, and Radiation (In That Order)

Hi friends

We’ve got some beautiful news to share — Micah and Megan got married! In the middle of all the wildness, they said yes to love, joy, and this sacred life they’re building together. It was simple, sweet, and perfect.

Micah also begins radiation this week — a big step forward in his healing journey. They’re taking it one moment at a time, staying grounded in love (and humor, always).

Your support continues to mean everything. If you feel called to give or share, it truly helps them stay focused on healing without extra stress. We’re endlessly grateful for the way you all keep showing up.

With love and hope,

Julia & Kyle

June 2, 2025

Dearest friends, family, colleagues, and community,

We are deeply humbled by the continued outpouring of support we’ve received. Thank you for your compassion, generosity, and steady presence during this challenging chapter in our lives. We are forever grateful.

We wanted to share an update, and we’ll continue to do so in the weeks ahead.

Micah begins chemotherapy this evening — starting the oral medication Temozolomide.

Last week, he had a CT scan and was fitted for his radiation mask. This Friday, the team will conduct a test fitting, and he will officially begin six weeks of radiation on Monday, June 9th.

Micah’s last MRI was right after surgery on April 16th and showed expected swelling and post-operative changes. A follow-up MRI last week revealed a small nodule near the resection site. Dr. Mantilla noted it could be residual or recurrent tissue and will serve as Micah’s new baseline moving forward.

Micah is ready to fight.

He’s ready to taste food again (some of his meds have been interfering — and if you know him, you know he’s a true foodie).

He’s ready to lift more than 10 lbs, to spend more time in the garden, and to take back pieces of his daily life.

We’re also actively exploring and pursuing additional avenues including Optune (tumor-treating fields), immunotherapy, clinical trials, specialized diets, supplements, and more.

We’re in contact with CeGaT in Germany regarding a personalized neoantigen vaccine, tailored specifically to Micah’s tumor profile.

On a personal note, Micah and I have decided to apply for our marriage license this week. We celebrated my 41st birthday together yesterday, and having him by my side — and soon being his wife — is the greatest gift I could ever ask for. Future plans for a celebration of our love are TBD, but for now, we’re staying fully focused on his care and healing.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have one another, an extraordinary care team, and each and every one of you standing with us.

From the bottom of my heart — thank you.

With love,

Megan

April 25th, 2025

We are Julia and Kyle Paur, Megan Paur’s sister-in-law and brother, and we’ve created this GoFundMe on behalf of Megan and her beloved partner, Micah Horton. In this tender and urgent time, our intention is to gather community support so they can focus fully on healing, hope, and the road ahead.

Micah Horton—a beloved partner, son, brother, and friend—is facing an unexpected and urgent medical journey.

On Sun. April 13th Micah experienced a sudden seizure after experiencing migraines on and off the previous week. He was rushed to the ER at Baylor Grapevine where a CT indicated a mass.

Micah was sedated and intubated while doctors worked to reduce swelling, halt seizures, and assess the situation. An MRI revealed a 3cm mass with 3 satellite masses in his right temporal lobe.

On the evening of Tues. April 15th Micah was transferred from the ICU at Baylor Grapevine to Baylor Dallas for emergency brain surgery under the care of Dr. Dr. Bledi C. Brahimaj.

On Wed. April 16th, Micah underwent brain surgery that lasted approximately 4 hours. Dr. Brahimaj was able to remove 95-98% of the mass. The next 24, 48, and 72 hours were critical. During this time, Micah remained sedated and intubated while receiving incredible care from the Neuro ICU team and Dr. Habtamu Belete. It took several days to taper off medications in preparation for extubation.

On the evening of Mon. April 21st Micah was removed from the ventilator and proved he was able to breathe on his own. He awoke bravely, joyfully, and ready to fight.

The following day he was downgraded from Neuro ICU to acute care on the same floor. His care team continued to tweak medications in hopes to find the right balance. Micah began to receive PT/OT, he will continue to receive rebab. Further evaluations revealed Micah has short term memory loss so he’s still processing everything he’s been through over the past 2 weeks.

On Wed. April 23, we received the news no one ever wants to hear: the biopsy confirmed glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Micah is a professional in the food and service industry as well as a cyclist and bike mechanic. He’s known for his wit, warmth, and ability to make anyone laugh in an instant.

He’s a light in the lives of so many—whether through a shared meal, a spontaneous story, the way he can disarm a room with joy. Or his love for pets and all animals, and his passion for growing flowers and food. Micah is now facing the fight of his life.

He was not covered by insurance when he was admitted to Baylor Grapevine on April 13th. As of Thurs. April 24th, Megan was able to secure insurance for Micah that will go into effect on Thurs. May 1st.

On Sat. April 26th Micah was discharged from Baylor Dallas. He’s resting comfortably at home with Megan, her mom Kathy, and their 2 cats and 4 dogs.

He requires 24/7 supervision and will not be allowed to drive for at least 3 months. Megan will be primary caregiver during this time.

We’re raising $300,000 to help Micah and his fiancé Megan navigate this journey with dignity, access, and choice.

Your support will go toward:

• Ongoing outpatient and inpatient care and follow-up appointments

• Physical and occupational therapy

• Radiation and chemotherapy

• Alternative and integrative healing therapies

• Medical equipment and mobility support

• Loss of income and caregiving expenses

• Nutritional healing and supplements

• Therapy/counseling

• Potential travel and housing for necessary treatments

• Medications

• Further tests/imaging as needed

We know the road ahead will be intense. But with the help of our community, Micah can focus on healing—not on financial survival.

If you’ve ever been touched by Micah’s kindness, laughter, or presence—now is the time to stand with him. Every donation, prayer, and share makes a difference.

With love and deep gratitude,

Megan, Family, and Friends of Micah Horton