Send the Sopers to Disney World!
Donation protected
We are Bo + Jerry Panknin, and our hope is to raise $22k* to send our dear friends: Kurt, Carrie and Ava Soper, as well as Kurt's parents, to Walt Disney World in Florida for a week long, family vacation of a lifetime.
Kurt was diagnosed with Stage 1 chondrosarcoma nearly six years ago, at the age of 29. Chondrosarcoma is a rare bone cancer that is resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, so Kurt and Carrie quickly learned that their only option to attack and remove the cancer would be through surgery. Eighteen months and three surgeries later, Kurt received a hemipelvectomy, or amputation of his left side pelvis and leg.
Fast forward to December 2016, Kurt had a routine CT scan done on his abdomen as part of his follow-up for an emergency surgery performed in the fall of 2016. This CT scan presented some red flags, so he had two additional MRIs done. His second MRI revealed a tumor pressing against his left side kidney; a spot on his liver that was biopsied and came back Stage 2 chondrosarcoma; and what also appeared to be a tumor on his diaphragm. Kurt's surgery date to remove these masses would be Valentine's Day 2017, and what was expected to be a 6-8 hour surgery, turned out to be a two hour surgery. The news that would come after those two hours is what has moved us to start this fund for their family.
Kurt's cancer has spread considerably, so much so that the surgeons who planned to remove his left side kidney, some of his liver, and any cancer they could, could not even continue with the operation. His doctor says he has less than a year with all of us, with his family.
Kurt and Carrie have one daughter, Ava Grace, who is turning 7 years old in March, and Kurt turns 35 years old in May. Kurt's big wish is to take Ava to Disney World while he is still here, to see her expression on the rides, and for him and Carrie to experience the magic of Disney with their baby, as a family.
Please help the Soper family get to Disney World. Kurt's doctor says they have a two month window to travel, so we want to raise enough money to make this a reality for them as soon as possible. The $22k* will pay for:
- 5 round trip airfare tickets (the Sopers + Kurt's parents)
- rental car for 7 days
- accommodations for 6 nights/7 days
- admission for 5 people, for 6 days, to all the Disney parks and attractions
- a motorized scooter to use during his trip + at home*
- food, photos, souvenirs, and anything and everything they would ever want or dream to do at Disney World.
If you know Kurt, then you've had the privilege to watch this man and his family fight with such strength, courage and grace. You've gotten to cheer him on as he completed a triathlon, summited 14,000 feet in Colorado, served as a mentor for other amputees. But more than anything, you've gotten to feel the love and faith that radiates from this husband, father, brother and friend. Kurt and his family are an inspiration for all of us to show up, to never give up, and to keep hope with each new day; to cherish every moment and seize every opportunity we are given; to love others more fully and wholly because all that truly matters in our lives is the love we share.
It is an honor to know him and call him our friend and brother. He is a true warrior, and we love him above and beyond.
Thank you, all, for your love, care, support and generosity! Let's get this amazing family to Disney World!
#teamkurt #warrior
Gratefully,
Bo + Jerry
and the entire Panknin family
Kurt was diagnosed with Stage 1 chondrosarcoma nearly six years ago, at the age of 29. Chondrosarcoma is a rare bone cancer that is resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, so Kurt and Carrie quickly learned that their only option to attack and remove the cancer would be through surgery. Eighteen months and three surgeries later, Kurt received a hemipelvectomy, or amputation of his left side pelvis and leg.
Fast forward to December 2016, Kurt had a routine CT scan done on his abdomen as part of his follow-up for an emergency surgery performed in the fall of 2016. This CT scan presented some red flags, so he had two additional MRIs done. His second MRI revealed a tumor pressing against his left side kidney; a spot on his liver that was biopsied and came back Stage 2 chondrosarcoma; and what also appeared to be a tumor on his diaphragm. Kurt's surgery date to remove these masses would be Valentine's Day 2017, and what was expected to be a 6-8 hour surgery, turned out to be a two hour surgery. The news that would come after those two hours is what has moved us to start this fund for their family.
Kurt's cancer has spread considerably, so much so that the surgeons who planned to remove his left side kidney, some of his liver, and any cancer they could, could not even continue with the operation. His doctor says he has less than a year with all of us, with his family.
Kurt and Carrie have one daughter, Ava Grace, who is turning 7 years old in March, and Kurt turns 35 years old in May. Kurt's big wish is to take Ava to Disney World while he is still here, to see her expression on the rides, and for him and Carrie to experience the magic of Disney with their baby, as a family.
Please help the Soper family get to Disney World. Kurt's doctor says they have a two month window to travel, so we want to raise enough money to make this a reality for them as soon as possible. The $22k* will pay for:
- 5 round trip airfare tickets (the Sopers + Kurt's parents)
- rental car for 7 days
- accommodations for 6 nights/7 days
- admission for 5 people, for 6 days, to all the Disney parks and attractions
- a motorized scooter to use during his trip + at home*
- food, photos, souvenirs, and anything and everything they would ever want or dream to do at Disney World.
If you know Kurt, then you've had the privilege to watch this man and his family fight with such strength, courage and grace. You've gotten to cheer him on as he completed a triathlon, summited 14,000 feet in Colorado, served as a mentor for other amputees. But more than anything, you've gotten to feel the love and faith that radiates from this husband, father, brother and friend. Kurt and his family are an inspiration for all of us to show up, to never give up, and to keep hope with each new day; to cherish every moment and seize every opportunity we are given; to love others more fully and wholly because all that truly matters in our lives is the love we share.
It is an honor to know him and call him our friend and brother. He is a true warrior, and we love him above and beyond.
Thank you, all, for your love, care, support and generosity! Let's get this amazing family to Disney World!
#teamkurt #warrior
Gratefully,
Bo + Jerry
and the entire Panknin family
Organizer and beneficiary
Bo + Jerry Panknin
Organizer
Leawood, KS
Carrie Soper
Beneficiary