A long awaited update!

David has finally ran through the finish line

He is DONE!

He has endured a 14 hour surgery

Weeks of recovery… and finally

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31 days of radiation treatments ✅

7.5 hours of radiation✅

768 miles traveled back and forth to the proton radiation center✅

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Thank you to everyone who has offered a lending hand, said a prayer(s), contributed to his GoFundme. We are so blessed and thankful for all of you.

David is hopeful to get back to work in the coming weeks, and still plans to march down the avenue for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in November as a Balloon Carrier!

And lastly, we appreciate those who continue to donate to the gofundme! The medical bills are not going away unfortunately!

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It has been 1 month since David’s surgery! We are so grateful for a smooth recovery! Thank you to everyone who lifted him up in their prayers over the last few weeks.

Between last week and this week, he had some follow-up appointments with the plastic surgeon, the speech therapist, and most recently the radiation oncologist.

The plastic surgeon was pleased with his healing and gave him the blessing to drive!

The speech therapist reviewed the process for teaching David how to speak using the electrolarynx, and is confident he should be “talking” by December!

The radiation oncologist recommended, after discussing his case at the head and neck tumor board, that David proceed with 6 weeks of daily proton radiation. We anticipate this to start in the next 2 weeks. While this wasn’t what we hoped for, we knew that his cancer cells were aggressive, although we were told that his margins were clear from a surgical pathology perspective. So with the radiation treatments, we expect this to be a curative treatment in conjunction with the previous surgery.

David will need to continue to remain out of work, and Lesley will plan to return to work in early July. However, David will need to commute into the city daily for 6 weeks and those costs will quickly add up, and not much his NY state disability will cover (btw NY STATE pays just about peanuts). Additionally, Lesley’s leave has been unpaid the last 4 weeks.

We appreciate all of you who have donated, prayed, called and text to check in and offer words of support.

We ask that if you are able to, please continue to share the go fund me link and continue to donate if you are able to!

It has been 1 month since David’s surgery! We are so grateful for a smooth recovery! Thank you to everyone who lifted him up in their prayers over the last few weeks.

UPDATE: 5/29

After a long 11 days in the hospital, we are so happy to share that David has been discharged home today! We are so grateful for the amazing care he received a Memorial Sloan Kettering, and are eager for him to continue his recovery at home. His recovery thus far has been unremarkable and the surgical team is extremely happy with his progress. Please continue to keep David and his family in your thoughts and prayers. We are awaiting the final pathology which will tell us what the next steps will be and if any radiation or chemotherapy is needed. Fingers crossed for a pathology report with clear margins!

UPDATE: 5/27

It has been 8 days since David’s surgery and he is making strides in his recovery !!! Yesterday he was able to start swallowing liquids, he’s been working hard with the physical therapists and even doing stairs. Each and every day he is getting one step closer to going home.

Please continue to pray for him and his family. Please continue to share his go fund me link and donate if you have not already, any amount is appreciated. For those who have already donated, we are grateful for your generous donations and support.

UPDATE: 5/23

Good morning everyone!

The George Family is just speechless with your outpouring of love and support and generosity, and cannot thank you enough.

David continues to make progress every day with his recovery. Yesterday, the Speech therapist met with him to teach him how to use an electrolarynx, a device he will use to be able to speak. He successfully said “Hello Lesley, how are you doing”.

He continues to work with Physical Therapy to regain his strength. We are hopeful that early next week, they will teach him how to swallow liquids again.

We have realized that his road to recovery is a long one, and ask you to continue to keep him in your prayers and thoughts. Lesley remains out of work on unpaid FMLA, and David obviously out on short term disability. We ask you to continue to share this go fund me, and when possible please donate to continue to support the George Family.

You all have been amazing and got so close to our initial goal of $5,000. Since the reality is that his recovery will last several months, likely 4-6, we have decided to raise that goal to $8,000.

Thank you again for your generosity and well wishes!

UPDATE: 5/21/25

First and foremost, thank to everyone who has donated thus far. Your unwavering support, well wishes and prayers are greatly appreciated!

David is doing well today. The dedicated staff @ Memorial Sloan Kettering is taking such great care of him. Today, he worked with the physical therapists, who assisted him in getting out of bed, to the chair, and even a short walk! Lesley has been by his side and has been sharing with him all your kind words of support, which made him smile . The family continues to take one day at a time, and are so proud of how strong he has been.

As part of David’s surgery, the surgical team took a part of his left thigh muscle and skin to reconstruct his neck. Truly amazing! Despite the MAJOR surgery, he remains in positive spirits!

Please continue to pray for his recovery ❤️‍.

UPDATE:

David endured nearly a 14 hour surgery yesterday at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. He is stable and just beginning his long road to recovery. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers over these next few weeks. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, it is greatly appreciated. Please continue to share the link in support of David.

If you’ve ever spent a moment in his presence you know that our beloved David George is a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and the kind of man who always puts others before himself. Whether working long hours to provide for his family or volunteering in his community, David has never asked for anything in return. Now, he faces the life-altering challenge of a complete laryngectomy—a procedure that will take his voice but not his spirit.

As he prepares for this major surgery and the difficult recovery ahead, he and his family need support more than ever. Your donation will help cover the costs of medical care, rehabilitation, and specialized equipment, giving David a chance to heal and continue being the rock his family depends on. No amount is too small and we, his family, are grateful for any donation you are able to give.