Hi everyone,

My name is Nora House Christman, and I am organizing this GoFundMe to support my son, John House, who is facing the fight of his life after receiving a devastating diagnosis of stage 4 head and neck cancer in early November 2025.

This diagnosis came completely out of the blue and has turned our world upside down—physically, emotionally, and financially. The costs of everyday living, combined with the enormous expenses that come with cancer treatment, have become overwhelming.

John has always been healthy, active, and outdoorsy. He has been a champion racing sailor since early childhood and is rarely sidelined by illness. For several years, he noticed a small lump near his collarbone that would come and go. Because it wasn’t painful and he was self-employed without health insurance, he didn’t think it was serious. In October 2025, the lump suddenly grew rapidly and became hard. His wife and I urged him to go to the ER.

After a CT scan and additional testing, the doctor delivered the words no family is ever prepared to hear: “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this appears to be cancer and has spread to your lymph nodes.” From that moment on, everything changed.

Due to delays in getting an oncology appointment, John ended up back in the ER less than two weeks later, where he was admitted for further testing. Thanks to the compassion and advocacy of an ENT doctor at Manatee Memorial Hospital, John was quickly referred to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida’s only National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer center. Since then, it has been nonstop.

A PET scan revealed that the cancer had spread far beyond the lymph nodes. John has multiple bone metastases, including his spine, femurs, ribs, shoulder, and thyroid. What initially seemed like a more hopeful diagnosis suddenly became terminal, with treatment focused on palliation and quality of life.

Despite this, John was accepted into two clinical trials at Moffitt. He has completed a palliative radiation trial to help manage severe pain in his back and ribs and is now preparing to begin a chemo/immunotherapy clinical trial aimed at treating the cancer systemically. This treatment will continue indefinitely as long as he responds positively and may help extend both his life and his quality of life.

While John focuses on treatment, the financial burden continues to grow. He has no health insurance, is unable to work, and has no income. Daily living expenses, medical costs, and frequent trips to Tampa for treatment are taking a significant toll.

One of John’s greatest worries is his wife, Lori, and ensuring she will be supported if he is unable to provide for her. Any funds raised beyond immediate medical and living expenses will go toward helping support his family.

Your generosity will help relieve financial stress so John can focus on fighting this disease and spending meaningful time with his loved ones. Every donation—no matter the amount—truly makes a difference. If you’re unable to give, sharing this campaign also means more than you know.

Thank you for standing with John and supporting him during the most difficult battle of his life.

With gratitude,

Nora House Christman