While everyone else was with family and friends celebrating Christmas, Erik and Jenn Christensen were dealing with devastating news.  Erik, only 42 years old, had been sick for over six months, feeling fatigued and then his left lymph node started to grow.  In January, following a biopsy he was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer.  The cancer originated in his tongue and has spread to two lymph nodes.

Erik had a port placed to receive chemotherapy as well as a feeding tube for nutrition and fluids (which has already had some painful complications).  He will receive 33 radiation treatments, daily IV hydration, and two (possibly three) doses of chemo.  This specific chemo drug has already given him ringing in his ears and hearing loss.

This cancer diagnosis comes as a low blow considering Erik and Jenn have already been through so much!  Erik was in a horrible motorcycle accident in 2008.  He ended up with a traumatic brain injury, broken jaw, a shoulder injury and required several surgeries.  He was out of work for 4 years.

Jenn, his wife has been supporting him the whole way and taking him to the many doctor's appointments and treatments.  When complications arise, she needs to be there for her husband as well and will miss work as an ICU nurse on occasion.  Erik will be out of work through June and Jenn, although working full time through all of this, will likely eventually run out of paid leave time.

This campaign was started to help support two amazing and loving people who need us to come together to help!  They will need financial support to help pay for their rent and expenses while out of work and any expenses related to attending treatments.  We want them to have the peace of mind to take care of each other during this time instead of worrying about how much work is missed and how their bills will be paid.

Thank you so much for giving your time, emotional encouragement, and financial assistance to these deserving people.  This could happen to any of us!