Our dear friend and brother, David (Dave) Turner, was recently diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the throat and mouth. On December 4th, he will undergo an intense, life-altering surgery that includes a radical neck dissection, skin/nerve-flap reconstruction, tracheostomy, and a feeding tube. The road ahead will be physically, emotionally, and financially extremely challenging. Dave’s biggest concern, beyond the cancer and extensive surgery, is how he will manage his post-hospital medical care; months of physical rehabilitation; and basic living and medical expenses. He will be unable to work for the foreseeable future as he heals and begins possible ongoing treatments for this cancer.

Who Dave Is

If you know Dave, you know he gives, he serves, he shows up. He has shown incredible strength and resilience, especially through his battle with alcohol. He is firmly established in his long-term recovery, a milestone he and his community of support are all deeply proud of. It feels unfair that just as he has been rebuilding his life and dedicating himself to service, he has been hit with so many medical hardships.

The past 5 years have already tested Dave in unimaginable ways—long-standing rheumatoid arthritis often leaving him almost crippled, prostate cancer requiring radiation and hormone therapy, a collapsed lung after biopsy, diabetes, thyroid cancer needing partial thyroidectomy last month, and now this. Yet through every hardship, he has stayed courageous, kind, faithful, and committed to helping others in recovery and in his community.

How Dave Gives Back

His recovery journey has inspired him to support others through service and community and he has dedicated countless hours to places like:

• Special Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Center

• SyncRecovery Community

• Celebrate Recovery at LCBC Harleysville

• Sunlight of the Spirit House

• Place Fellowship Church, Fairview NC – where he spent a month after Hurricane Helene helping clean up, rebuild, and cooking a full Thanksgiving meal for the community who had lost everything.

How You Can Help

Dave is that person many call when they need help. He is the person who listens, cooks for you, builds for you, drives for you, fixes what’s broken, and reminds you that you matter. He is a brother, uncle, poppy, friend, and a grounding force in the circles he has supported for years. Now it’s our turn to show up for him. Asking for help is never easy for anyone, including Dave. But right now, he truly needs the support of the people who love him. Your generosity will allow him to focus on healing—breathing, eating, speaking, and regaining strength—without the fear of overwhelming medical and living expenses that will not pause.

Funds raised will immediately be used to help cover:

• Medical bills from the past 10 months

• Upcoming surgery and hospital/ICU out-of-pocket expenses

• Post-hospital rehabilitation for physical therapy and speech therapy to learn to talk and swallow again

• Skilled nursing care

• Medications and long-term rehabilitation needs

• Rent, utilities, transportation, and basic living expenses

• Lost income during his recuperation

Any amount makes a difference. Please consider both a donation and sharing this page so we can reach as many people as possible.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Dave as he faces this difficult journey with courage and hope. We are incredibly grateful for every message, donation, prayer, and act of support.

With love and gratitude,

Carolyn Mueller & Beth Wagner