Support for Nathan Carstens: A Family's Fight Against Cancer

Dear Friends and Family,

My name is Dan Carstens, and I want to share the story of my son, Nathan—a strong, determined 26-year-old who loves the Lord, enjoys the great outdoors, fishing, sports, and cherishes his family, especially his beloved wife, Grace.

Six and a half years ago, Nathan was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer just three weeks after his 20th birthday. It was a devastating blow, but as a family, we rallied behind him during his surgery and chemotherapy treatments. Despite everything, Nathan continued to focus on his education, finishing his college courses and staying on track for graduation. After his first round of chemo, we felt hopeful—convinced that he had won this battle.

However, nearly four years later, the cancer returned. This time, Nathan sought treatment at the Huntsman Clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his then fiance, Grace and his parents by his side. The team there provided incredible care, and we believed once again that he would overcome this.

In September 2023, Nathan married Grace, just before undergoing his last surgery at the Huntsman Clinic. We were filled with hope that they would begin their married life together, but tragically, Nathan was diagnosed with cancer once more in the summer of 2024. At the time, he had just accepted a teaching position in Aniak, Alaska—a place he dreamed of living. But due to his diagnosis, he had to return to Anchorage for further treatment.

After months of chemotherapy, Nathan’s condition worsened, leading to a hospitalization. Despite several attempts at medical interventions, his health continued to decline, prompting a transfer to the University of Washington Medical Center for further treatment. Once there, the doctors notified Nathan that the standard courses of chemotherapy were not effective and should be discontinued.

As we face this devastating reality, our goal now is to bring Nathan to Carson City, NV, where he can receive comfort and pain management at home while we explore alternative treatment options. Nathan will continue to fight this disease as long as he is able.

Nathan and Grace are seeking financial support to help cover existing and expected medical expenses from hospitalizations and treatments in Alaska, Washington, and Nevada. Since Nathan’s first hospitalization in November, they have not been able to work consistently. All gifts will go toward supporting Nathan and Grace as they navigate this new diagnosis.

While we understand the gravity of Nathan’s situation, we are still holding onto hope for a miracle of healing. We will never give up praying for his recovery, but we are also preparing for the reality of what lies ahead.

Any support—whether through prayers, kind thoughts, or financial contributions—would be deeply appreciated as we navigate this incredibly difficult chapter in our lives.

Thank you for reading Nathan's story, and for being part of his journey.

Sincerely,

Dan Carstens

(Nathan’s Dad)