My name is Jamie, and I am organizing this GoFundMe for my old friend Rob Landis, some of you may know him as Rob Stigen. Rob has been going through an incredibly difficult time over the last six weeks. His life has literally crumbled to bits, in every realm, so he is in the position of starting over with a great level of uncertainty of what the near future may hold. I am hoping we can exceed the goal of this fundraiser so he can feel the support of those whom he has helped over the years, and finally be able to take a breath in order to tackle whatever obstacles may cross his path. Rob has been a firefighter for over 25 years, and a Fire Captain for 15 years. He has devoted more than half of his life to wildfire rescue, helping communities rebuild, and traveling the country to aid local fire departments in need. Rob has fought fires across the country, from Alaska to Florida over the years. Coordinating teams to fight the wildfires in Sonoma County during the 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons. The Camp fire in 2018 which ravaged the community of Paradise. The widespread fire seasons in Arizona and New Mexico during the 2022 and 2023 fire season. Most recently he was instrumental in rescue and recovery immediately after Hurricane Helene in North Carolina; volunteering and putting his money where his heart is by self-financing various local organizations in the Asheville area. Essentially, Rob goes wherever he is needed, whenever that call comes. However, the person who has helped thousands of people is now in dire need of assistance.

On October 7th, Rob went to the ER with a suspected kidney infection. He was experiencing severe pain, blurred vision, profuse sweating, and considerable swelling in his lymph nodes. After several blood draws doctors ordered several CT scans to identify what was causing his whacky vitals and unusual symptoms. They discovered his appendix was enlarged (but not requiring immediate removal), an inguinal hernia (which he has had since childhood, however it is now becoming a larger issue), and a cluster of masses in his throat near his larynx. The medical team put a scope down his throat and identified several areas of concern; and performed a biopsy. About a week later, around October 14th, the biopsy results were troubling. After consulting with several colleagues, the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist ordered a follow-up surgery to remove some of the masses in Rob’s throat, and to perform a deeper biopsy. The second surgery was performed on Halloween, and pathology from those biopsies has been in process.

That brings us to today, November 11th. Rob received a call from the ENT at UC Davis who informed him the pathology results from the surgery on Halloween came back. The masses are not currently malignant, however the cells are precancerous. It is still unclear what is causing these precancerous growths. Rob will require another surgery in January, however it will be more invasive as the team, once again, wants to measure the rate of growth and take even deeper tissue samples. Meanwhile, the inguinal hernia has grown over the decades, and puts Rob at a very high risk of developing sepsis. The surgery to repair the hernia has yet to be scheduled, but will likely need to be performed before the next throat surgery.

One trip to the ER back in early October has led to a cascade of tests, surgeries, doctors appointments, and emotional turmoil. During all of this, Rob has been unable to work and lost a position at a fire department in Arizona. He doesn’t currently have a place to call home, to be able to recover from the massive surgeries he needs to undergo in the coming weeks/months. His savings has run dry, with no current option to replenish his finances. My dear friend, who is one of the most generous people I’ve ever met, is now depending on the kindness of others. Donations of any amount make a difference; and if that isn’t an option financially, I humbly ask to share this fundraiser. If anyone knows someone who has a room for rent in the Sacramento area, or any leads for some odd jobs, that would also be incredibly helpful. I’ve known Rob for a decade, and he is not the type to ask for help (even when he needs it) which is why I’m putting this together for him. Sometimes heroes need help too, and this is definitely one of those times.