Help Richard Fight Cancer!
Donation protected
Four and a half years ago at age 24, I thought I had beaten Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a blood cancer that mostly affects young adults. After completing six cycles of tough chemotherapy and a month of radiation, I was given excellent odds of being in the lucky 80-90% who stay in remission. My PET scans showed the disease was gone and I slowly got back to living a life that wasn’t all about medical appointments. During the next four years, I took classes, raised my son, got an apartment and started working as a Catering Captain at Zesty. I really enjoyed the work environment and friendly team, while memories of my cancer ordeal faded from everyday thoughts.
However, this year all of that changed when a blood test in my annual check-up was abnormal, even though I was feeling well. After more tests, PET scan and biopsy, in April 2018 I received the devastating news that my cancer had returned. This time the treatment is far more aggressive and extensive. After completing four rounds of a different chemotherapy called BvB, a PET scan showed there was still an active spot, so now I am having to do another even more difficult chemo called ICE to get into remission. As soon as that is accomplished, I will be starting an autologous stem cell transplant at Stanford. This is my best chance for beating Hodgkin’s once and for all. It requires a month of preparation for harvesting my own stem cells, a month of hospitalization at Stanford and then at least a few more months at home recovering, all during which time I will be unable to work.
This entire ordeal is very difficult financially as well as physically. I was able to work part-time during the BvB treatment, but now with ICE, I can’t work because it affects your blood counts and ability to fight infection. I won’t be able to work again until I recover from the stem cell transplant. I still have to meet my living expenses of being a single parent and keeping a roof over my nine year old son’s head. There are also many additional costs associated with being hospitalized down in Palo Alto while living in Oakland. Unfortunately, I was hospitalized for my biopsy during the few days we had to sign up for benefits and therefore won’t be getting any short-term disability through Zesty. My state disability insurance will be very limited because I was a 1099 contractor during the “base period” used to calculate benefits. I would really appreciate any help you could provide to help relieve the financial part of this battle. Thanks to all who can contribute any amount while I face the greatest challenge of my life.
However, this year all of that changed when a blood test in my annual check-up was abnormal, even though I was feeling well. After more tests, PET scan and biopsy, in April 2018 I received the devastating news that my cancer had returned. This time the treatment is far more aggressive and extensive. After completing four rounds of a different chemotherapy called BvB, a PET scan showed there was still an active spot, so now I am having to do another even more difficult chemo called ICE to get into remission. As soon as that is accomplished, I will be starting an autologous stem cell transplant at Stanford. This is my best chance for beating Hodgkin’s once and for all. It requires a month of preparation for harvesting my own stem cells, a month of hospitalization at Stanford and then at least a few more months at home recovering, all during which time I will be unable to work.
This entire ordeal is very difficult financially as well as physically. I was able to work part-time during the BvB treatment, but now with ICE, I can’t work because it affects your blood counts and ability to fight infection. I won’t be able to work again until I recover from the stem cell transplant. I still have to meet my living expenses of being a single parent and keeping a roof over my nine year old son’s head. There are also many additional costs associated with being hospitalized down in Palo Alto while living in Oakland. Unfortunately, I was hospitalized for my biopsy during the few days we had to sign up for benefits and therefore won’t be getting any short-term disability through Zesty. My state disability insurance will be very limited because I was a 1099 contractor during the “base period” used to calculate benefits. I would really appreciate any help you could provide to help relieve the financial part of this battle. Thanks to all who can contribute any amount while I face the greatest challenge of my life.
Organizer and beneficiary
Bianca Knisely
Organizer
Oakland, CA
Richard Straesser
Beneficiary
