Steve's Farewell March 16

Hi! I am Anne, daughter of a wonderful man who is dying. My stepfather, Steve Spaw, has been in my life for 45 years. He raised me, helped raise my kids, is grandpa Steve to his great grands and friend to anyone he meets. He is a quiet and kind man. Intelligent and book smart but can’t use a map or screwdriver to save his life. Even before the dementia diagnosis. His humor is quick whitted but also silly. (As note in the tongue out photo) That was taken next to a calving glacier in Alaska. Just before Thanksgiving we found a golf ball sized lump in his lung. With Dad’s history I was 98% sure it was bad lung cancer. I treated the holidays as the last ones we would have together. His birthday in January last one so made it big. January 21st we got the stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis officially.

treatment would only extend his life 18 months and as many know, chemo treatment is hard. He has made the decision to not treat the cancer and enjoy the time he has left. He is still full of gusto and already kicked the flu since the diagnosis.

My parents are retired and living on social security only. I subsidize thier monthly expenses quite a bit.

Dad is EAGER to go on a final trip and travel somewhere. I think a cruise would be best since it is contained and has medical staff on board. He currently needs no treatments and still exercises daily. Short term memory is gone but everything else works. The trip would be hard for just my parents as Dad needs constant companionship so at least three people need to go on this trip; dad, mom and a fully capable adult.

My ask is this, Can you spare some support for Dad to take a final cruise? He’s had his last Thanksgiving, last Christmas and final birthday. 6 months to live so a final TRAVEL will check all the boxes off.

Thank you for listening. Prayers are greatly appreciated.