At the end of last year, Mike began experiencing severe headaches and had a biopsy of a mass in his sinus cavity. After several doctor visits and tests, he received the difficult news that he has squamous cell carcinoma—a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was referred to a cancer specialist at U of M. Since his Stage 4 diagnosis, he has bravely undergone three rounds of chemotherapy, and now faces a major surgery scheduled for April 6th. This surgery involves removal of his left eye and lymph nodes, and will require him to stay in the hospital for several weeks as he recovers and prepares for the next phase of treatment.

The journey doesn’t end there. Once he is discharged, he will need to travel from Mendon to Ann Arbor five days a week for six weeks to receive radiation treatments. The daily travel is exhausting and expensive, but staying in Ann Arbor isn’t an option because of the extra lodging costs. On top of the medical challenges, his wife Kathy is taking unpaid time off work to be his direct support, which adds financial stress to an already overwhelming situation.

Everyone who knows Mike knows that he is a genuine and loving guy who has always been active in the Mendon community. This family deserves the space and time to heal, with the peace of knowing that some of their funds are still secure post-treatment.

Your support will go directly toward covering their travel expenses and helping them manage the loss of income during this critical time. Whether you can donate or simply share this fundraiser, every bit of help means the world to their family. If you want more convenience, you can also venmo them @MikeandKathySouthworth.

Thank you for standing with them as they face this uphill battle!!