Help NYC Comedy Producer Julius Donat Beat Stage 4 Cancer

Kimberly Donat is organizing this fundraiser.

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On November 8, 2024, my husband Julius Donat underwent a life-saving tracheostomy surgery at NYU Langone. The surgical procedure created a hole in his windpipe, and a trach tube was inserted so he would be able to breathe. This surgery was necessary, as his airway was so tiny and compromised, that his Surgeon felt he had only mere days to live. At that point, it was a closing airway that would have ended his fight, before he began. He spent 6 days in the ICU at NYU Langone and was able to return home to recover from this surgery. Julius's surgical team at NYU Langone was extraordinary and we are so thankful for them. He is learning to live his day-to-day life, at least what he is physically able to do, as he prepares for the next step in his medical journey.

Julius has been diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid cancer. The cancer is aggressive and advanced, Stage 4. It has spread throughout his entire neck region (luckily no further than that has been detected). The cancer tumors are wrapped around the larynx, they are in the lymph nodes in his neck and have invaded the voice box. He is facing a minimum of 1 year of treatment. The first part of treatment is Immunotherapy, which he begins right after December 5. This medicine, taken daily, will be for at least 2 months to shrink all the tumors as much as possible. The second part will be the Big Surgery. This, tentatively, will take place at the end of January 2025 or the beginning of February 2025. His surgeon will, in so many words, be "removing the majority of his neck" (not the muscles, of course). She will remove all the tumors, as well as remove the voice box. A voice box prosthesis will be inserted during this time so he will be able to learn to speak again. The trach tube will come out at this time, but he will have a permanent hole in his neck. It will be a different apparatus then he has now. His recovery period from the surgery, before the next phases, is approximately 2 months. The third and fourth parts include Radioactive Iodine Therapy (Radioiodine or RAI) and Radiation.

Our daily routines have changed drastically and permanently, as you would imagine. The education of living and caring for a trach tube alone was a big adjustment, let alone what lies ahead. He has to be careful about what he eats and how he eats. His showers are different, not being able to get the neck area and tube wet. Sleeping, when the constant coughing and choking isn't keeping him awake is different due to the vaporizer machine that has run constantly so his airway doesn't dry up and clog. (This would mean an emergency trip to the ER). I am up with him throughout the night to suction the tube and clean and dress the wound (this takes place throughout the day too).

He has weekly visits from his team, which includes a Nurse, an Occupational Therapist, a Physical Therapist, and a Speech Therapist, all preparing him for this first phase of his fight against cancer, as well as the recovery from his tracheostomy.

On November 20, we had an exciting night that began with an ambulance ride to the ER to have the surgical team reinsert Julius's trach tube, as it came out at home. Never a dull moment! His Surgeon taught me how to do it in case it happens again.

Everything progressed so quickly. He is working on staying strong and taking it moment by moment, as all of this was sudden and still overwhelming. He is not able to work for the time he will be in treatment. Even what he will be able to do after the treatment, is still up in the air. I am home full-time now with him as Julius needs continuous care, intending to go back to work as soon as that is possible.

We are asking for any help to cover medical costs, rehabilitation, and other expenses to support Julius and our family on our journey to fight and beat cancer. Your donation will help take the worries about day-to-day life away and allow them to focus on beating this unimaginable cancer. Any amount you can contribute will make a difference and mean the world to our family. In addition, you can help by sharing the page.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

With Much Love,

Kimberly Donat (his wife)

Please check back for updates on his battle.

A few photos from Julius's Tracheostomy surgery at NYU Langone