For Mike Skaggs

Mike Skaggs is a husband, father, brother, friend, coworker, youth football coach, and jiu-jitsu training partner who has spent years showing up for the people around him.

Now, Mike needs his community to show up for him.

In June, Mike was diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), a WHO grade 4, highly aggressive form of brain cancer. His tumor is MGMT-promoter unmethylated, a characteristic associated with a poorer prognosis and a lower likelihood of benefit from temozolomide, a chemotherapy drug that is part of his standard treatment.

Mike and his wife, Audra, are determined to pursue every appropriate treatment option available. Alongside his standard treatment, they are exploring additional and personalized treatment approaches, including options outside the United States.

One of those options is a personalized neoantigen cancer vaccine approach in Germany. Mike's tumor is undergoing specialized genetic testing through CeGaT to identify tumor-specific changes that may help researchers determine potential targets for a personalized cancer vaccine.

The goal of this approach is to give Mike's immune system a more specific “road map” for recognizing cancer cells and attacking them. Rather than using the same targets for every patient, a personalized vaccine is designed using information from an individual's own tumor.

Mike and Audra feel it is worth pursuing every reasonable option that may give him additional treatment possibilities.

How donations will help

The personalized cancer vaccine treatment is expected to cost approximately $105,000, plus travel and other treatment expenses. It requires about 11 trips to Lithuania over one year, creating significant financial and logistical challenges for Mike and his family.

Our fundraising goal is $150,000 to help cover these expenses, ease the financial burden, and allow Mike and Audra to focus on what matters most: his treatment, his recovery, and their family.

Through everything Mike is facing, his strength and faith have remained remarkable.

Isaiah 41:10 holds special meaning for him:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

— Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Mike has spent years being there for others — as a coach, friend, teammate, husband, father, and brother.

Now, his friends and family are asking others to come alongside him.

The Isaiah 41:10 Challenge

Give $41.

Challenge 10 friends.

Share Mike's story.

Every donation matters.

Every share helps.

Every prayer means more than we can say.

Help Mike keep fighting. Help show him that he is not fighting alone.

#SKAGGSSTRONG