Supporting Steve!
Donation protected
"I would rather walk with a friend in the dark than walk alone in the light."
~Helen Keller
As many of you know, our brother, father, son, and friend, Steven Randolph has been battling a rare strain of stage four renal cell cancer called mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma since 2014. (We call it "mucous and spindle" for short because it sounds more like two Marvel villains. And anyone who knows Steve knows he loves his comic book characters.) With each new treatment, each new side effect, each and every new unknown, he has continued smiling and bringing joy to those around him. He still asks how YOU are doing first. He still leads with kindness and lives a life of moral integrity. He has faced each new hurdle with grace and dignity and he has stayed true to his fun and ever-entertaining self. When it was time for a cane, he made it look stylish. When he realized his meds wouldn't cause him to lose his locks, he rocked the long hair. He has kept his humor, his wit, and his appreciation for life's little gifts through all of this.
Some of you may know Steve from his Growing Stage Days... you know him as Long John Silver, the Wizard in the land of Oz, the Greedy in Raggedy Anne and Andy. Some of you know him from his Blockbuster Days, his Disney days, his Universal Days... the guy with the most impressive movie collection around. Others of you may know him as that booming, charismatic voice you heard on WRNJ during your afternoon drive, or perhaps he was your teacher up in New Hampshire or your schoolmate in Verona, NJ. Some of you know him because he was that sweet guy at a friend's gathering who came up and introduced himself to you. Others of you may know him as that fellow with the awesome mustache, that salesman with the contagious enthusiasm, that Dad in the audience cheering louder than anyone else.
Steve continues to fight the good and courageous fight, but we have reached a new chapter in his journey. The last few cycles of treatment have been unable to stand up against the evils of mucous & spindle. So Steve, armed with the constant love and devotion of his wife, Maureen (Mo) and daughter KiRa, the encouragement and well wishes of friends and family, and the guidance of his doctors... has begun to explore advanced care options. Aside from the astronomical bills that come from his numerous prescriptions and frequent hospital/doctor visits, there is the day-to-day stress that comes from being forced to live a life on disability. Right now, Steve remains at home, and is hoping to stay there for as long as possible with the help of palliative home care. But, he is fully aware that hospice care is in his future and his biggest fear is leaving Mo with overwhelming debt.
The absolute last thing Steve needs to be concerned with right now is the financial hole that our healthcare system has put him in, so we’re hoping this campaign may ease some of that burden, as well as cover some of the unforeseen expenses that will undoubtedly emerge during this next phase. We’re also hopeful that the generosity of those who know, respect, and love Steven J. Randolph will allow us to knock a couple modest items off of his proverbial bucket list. When we asked if there was anything he wanted, anywhere he'd like to go, anything in the world he'd like to see (The Grand Canyon? A beach resort somewhere?), Steve's answer was that he'd love to do a day trip to NYC and hang out in Washington Square Park again, that he'd love to see the dude ranch one more time, and if possible, he'd like a laptop so he could keep in touch with everyone from the comfort of his couch. We are GOING to make these things happen no matter what, but we're not too proud to ask for help. At this point, we have nothing to lose.
~Helen Keller
As many of you know, our brother, father, son, and friend, Steven Randolph has been battling a rare strain of stage four renal cell cancer called mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma since 2014. (We call it "mucous and spindle" for short because it sounds more like two Marvel villains. And anyone who knows Steve knows he loves his comic book characters.) With each new treatment, each new side effect, each and every new unknown, he has continued smiling and bringing joy to those around him. He still asks how YOU are doing first. He still leads with kindness and lives a life of moral integrity. He has faced each new hurdle with grace and dignity and he has stayed true to his fun and ever-entertaining self. When it was time for a cane, he made it look stylish. When he realized his meds wouldn't cause him to lose his locks, he rocked the long hair. He has kept his humor, his wit, and his appreciation for life's little gifts through all of this.
Some of you may know Steve from his Growing Stage Days... you know him as Long John Silver, the Wizard in the land of Oz, the Greedy in Raggedy Anne and Andy. Some of you know him from his Blockbuster Days, his Disney days, his Universal Days... the guy with the most impressive movie collection around. Others of you may know him as that booming, charismatic voice you heard on WRNJ during your afternoon drive, or perhaps he was your teacher up in New Hampshire or your schoolmate in Verona, NJ. Some of you know him because he was that sweet guy at a friend's gathering who came up and introduced himself to you. Others of you may know him as that fellow with the awesome mustache, that salesman with the contagious enthusiasm, that Dad in the audience cheering louder than anyone else.
Steve continues to fight the good and courageous fight, but we have reached a new chapter in his journey. The last few cycles of treatment have been unable to stand up against the evils of mucous & spindle. So Steve, armed with the constant love and devotion of his wife, Maureen (Mo) and daughter KiRa, the encouragement and well wishes of friends and family, and the guidance of his doctors... has begun to explore advanced care options. Aside from the astronomical bills that come from his numerous prescriptions and frequent hospital/doctor visits, there is the day-to-day stress that comes from being forced to live a life on disability. Right now, Steve remains at home, and is hoping to stay there for as long as possible with the help of palliative home care. But, he is fully aware that hospice care is in his future and his biggest fear is leaving Mo with overwhelming debt.
The absolute last thing Steve needs to be concerned with right now is the financial hole that our healthcare system has put him in, so we’re hoping this campaign may ease some of that burden, as well as cover some of the unforeseen expenses that will undoubtedly emerge during this next phase. We’re also hopeful that the generosity of those who know, respect, and love Steven J. Randolph will allow us to knock a couple modest items off of his proverbial bucket list. When we asked if there was anything he wanted, anywhere he'd like to go, anything in the world he'd like to see (The Grand Canyon? A beach resort somewhere?), Steve's answer was that he'd love to do a day trip to NYC and hang out in Washington Square Park again, that he'd love to see the dude ranch one more time, and if possible, he'd like a laptop so he could keep in touch with everyone from the comfort of his couch. We are GOING to make these things happen no matter what, but we're not too proud to ask for help. At this point, we have nothing to lose.
Fundraising team: Steve's Superheroes (2)
Rose Fritzky-Randolph
Organizer
Plainfield, NJ
Maureen Randolph
Beneficiary
KiRa Fritzky-Randolph
Team member
