Brian’s Cancer Journey-Brian Yates

My son Brian was diagnosed with Stage III Hodgkins Lymphoma in July 2024, after several months of illness, tests and biopsies. He will turn 38 this August and will celebrate 10 years of marriage to his wife Nicole, who is an EMT with Collier County EMS. They have a beautiful daughter Savannah, who will turn 8 in May.

Brian has gone through two rounds of chemotherapy/immunotherapy and one round of radiation for a very large mass in his chest, along with countless scans, x-rays and biopsies since his diagnosis. His cancer has never gone into remission. His oncologist in Naples referred him to the University of Miami -UHealth for treatment by top specialists in Hodgkins Lymphoma. Because chemo did not work with his Stage III disease, he became a candidate for an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (his stem cells are collected, frozen and later transplanted).

After months of CT/Pet Scans, lab work, X-rays and a battery of tests, he was admitted to the University of Miami, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Hospital on Friday March 20, 2026. He will be in the hospital for approximately three to four weeks. He will undergo 6 continuous days of high-dose chemotherapy to kill all the cancer in his body, which will also kill all his good cells. He will have his stem cells transplanted back and let them do their magic. The weeks following the transplant are extremely difficult to endure. After his discharge he will be followed for the next year with doctor visits, labs and scans as his body starts fresh. We are very hopeful this will cure him, cancer free is the only possible outcome!!

Brian is self-employed and has been unable to work during all his treatment and the months following while his body and compromised immune system recover. Nicole is now on FMLA to be with him and will not be receiving a paycheck in a few weeks. They have financed chemotherapy and Pet Scans and all the expenses of driving to the east coast sometimes daily for tests and appointments, renting hotels, gas, etc. Brian is a talented musician with the band Pickle Money, a devoted husband, father and son.

We are asking for prayers and any financial gift you may seem fit to contribute. Any donations will be used to pay medical bills and everyday living expenses, rent, food, electricity, and travel expenses.

Saving my only son’s life should not bankrupt our family . . . . . Please share our story, please help if you can! With many thanks, a grateful mother. . . .