Support Kirk McCracken's Fight Against Cancer

I created this GFM for my husband, Kirk McCracken, but I've asked him to write this. He's a much better writer. - Celeste

I’ve always donated to fundraisers, but I’ve never been the focus of one.

My name is Kirk McCracken and I have cancer.

When you become a father, you don’t ever think of your mortality. You think about keeping your children alive, and you spend every waking moment worried about their health and safety. I never thought my two children would have to worry about my health and safety. But here we are. I’m 50 years old with an amazing wife and two amazing adult children, who are both special education teachers in the public and private school systems. The main thing I wanted to be in life was a dad, and the second thing was being a grandfather. The first came true, but I really want to be able to meet my grandchildren when they are born in the near future.

I was recently diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. Finding the cancer was a total fluke. I was changing a tire and felt a pop on my right side. Thinking I had a hernia or popped a rib out of place, I went to the ER and they did a CT scan. They found a large mass on my kidney and that led to more tests, more scans, and more appointments.

Now, I’m scheduled for surgery in the early part of August to remove the mass. I am in pain and total exhaustion can only describe how I feel most of the time. My life changed dramatically after the diagnosis. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of doctor visits, insurance, scans, and medical and legal decisions.

I was a newspaper sports journalist and editor for over 20 years, and in that time I’ve had to write stories about athletes, students, and children that were battling different forms of cancer. When I sat down to write those stories the words just flowed easily, and each story seemed to write itself because of the wonderful kids involved. Telling their stories seemed essential in creating awareness and support, but writing one for myself wasn’t so easy.

Being the sports writer for several different towns was an absolute dream. To be able to create relationships with student-athletes and their families was truly the highlight of my professional career and personal life. Whether it was Sapulpa, Sand Springs, or Mannford, the athletes, coaches, and parents were always so supportive of me and my family, and we reciprocated. Years ago, a Mannford basketball coach was diagnosed with a rare cancer, fought it, and beat it, and it was an honor to be a part of that journey with him, his wife, and their children. Dave is a warrior!

However, now I need your help. Although insurance has covered some of the expenses so far, I will not be able to work for quite a while, and my wife Celeste will be taking care of me, which means her work schedule will be limited. As a hairstylist, she has to work to get paid. The money we are requesting is for regular expenses, household bills, food, hospital bills, medicine, and other expenses.

This is not a Make-a-Wish situation. I plan on beating cancer and getting back to a normal life. Thank you. I've got an amazing circle of friends and family and I know I will beat this.