In December of 2024 our dad, Jackie Mitchell, had the first of two seizures that inevitably uncovered a brain tumor on his prefrontal cortex. The tumor turned out to be a rapid-growing and, devastatingly, terminal type of cancer called Glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and fatal types of brain cancer, with an average lifespan (even with treatment) of just 1-1.5 years.
Because of his otherwise good health (have you seen him? the man DOES NOT look 61!) our dad has been given a prognosis of just 2-2.5 more years. He began treatment in January, which has included surgical removal of the tumor, and chemotherapy and radiation to stop the growth of any remaining cancerous cells. He remains in good spirits, continuing to DJ, run several miles a day, and send out his weekly Friday motivational poems through it all.
Unfortunately, testing revealed that our dad has a genetic mutation that means the tumor cells are resistant to traditional treatment, particularly chemotherapy. While this news has come as a major blow to our family, there is one last option for him to extend his life: a treatment through a German research company called CeGaT, where a specialized vaccine is created from his own immune cells, targeting the cancerous cells in his brain.
This treatment is an incredible option, offering the potential to more than double his lifespan-- but unfortunately it is not FDA approved, it's unavailable in the U.S., and thus it's not covered by our health insurance. Given this, the development of the vaccine alone costs almost $90,000 USD, as well as the cost of 12-14 trips to Tübingen, Germany for our dad and whichever one of his kids goes with him for the visit. Those flights are around $1,000 per person, in addition to hotels and other costs, as well as the cost of his on-going medical care and treatment here in the U.S.-- for which our parents have already paid upwards of $30,000 out of pocket.
For this reason, we are fundraising $200,000 to cover the cost of medical care here and abroad, travel for treatment, and other treatment-related costs.
Help us keep our dad (now also a grandpa!) around, for at least some of the years we imagined having him. Give his grandchildren (surprise, yes Alex is pregnant again!) a chance to get to know him. Let his kids hug him a few more times, and let us all keep getting to hear his stories.
We are grateful for each and every cent shared with our family. In a time where so many people are in need of so much, we recognize that fundraising $200,000 is no easy ask. We are grateful for each moment we've already gotten with our dad, as well as for the resources, care, love, and support that has already been showered on us through the many long late night chats, hugs, meals, and visits to the house to say hi. Through love & community all is possible. Thank you!
Follow along with our dad and our baby sister Jackie's podcast Terminally Bald-- where he shares family stories, reflections on his process with cancer, and lessons from a life powerfully lived!
Tax-deductible donations can also be made to The Art of Medicine Foundation, a family friend's 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting innovative brain disease treatments.
You can send a check made out to The Art of Medicine to:
Climate First Bancorp, Inc.
2755 E. Orange Avenue
Eustis, Florida 32726
Memo: Jackie Mitchell (memo line required)
Tax ID: 81-2704739
Donations can also be made privately by contacting our family directly -- email us through GoFundMe and I (Bea) will reach out to you to coordinate.
Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Patricia Mitchell
Beneficiary