Updated 7/24/2024:

It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I am sharing this update-- Phil Paetzold passed away today, July 24, 2024 surrounded by his family. Keri and their girls (Madelyn, Olivia, and Paige) will need lots of prayers, love, and support as they grieve this unbearable loss and prepare to move forward with a new normal in their lives. Any money contributed to this fundraiser goes directly to Keri, to help with expenses and to allow her to be away from work during this impossibly difficult time in her life.

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Several years ago, Phil Paetzold was given the news that doctors had discovered a tumor in his brain, and that it was indicative of cancer. Together with his loving wife Keri and their 3 girls, he has been in and out of the hospital, had multiple surgeries and chemotherapy courses, and has been in and out of work due to the complications he faces with his illness. Recently, Phil’s tumor has continued growing despite the chemotherapy; in an effort to improve the chances of stopping the growth, he had an operation to insert a shunt that will allow the treatment to be administered directly into his brain. With all of the changes, challenges, and uncertainties, Phil is no longer able to work. While Keri will still be working summer camps at Little Friends Preschool through the summer, the income is not as much or as reliable as it is during the school year. While Keri had initially considered taking a second job over the summer to supplement their income, with Phil’s situation the way that it is right now, she has decided that her priority needs to be taking care of Phil and their girls, and spending as much time together as a family as they possibly can. The full scope of the situation has already put a strain on the family’s finances, and the next few months will be even more difficult; our hope in starting this fundraiser is to bring in some extra income to help the family cover all of their expenses for the next few months without adding stress to an already unimaginably stressful situation. Every little bit goes a long way toward allowing this sweet family to spend as many precious moments together as possible without having the added worry of making ends meet. Keri and Phil are two wonderful people who have spent their lives supporting and serving others, and truly deserve to see all the good they've put out into the world come back to them in this difficult time!