Hi, I am Marcus Hawker's aunt, Kim Lilly. I would like to raise money to cover Marcus's medical expenses and help his family so they are able to take time off work to spend some quality time with Marcus.

Marcus was diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma with metastasis to lymph nodes, bones, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and suspected intracranial pachymeningeal extension on 7/22/25. After a 3-week battle with persistent lower back pain that was getting unbearable, he finally gave in and went to Mayo Mankato ED. Marcus was hospitalized from 7/20/25 to 7/25/25. Multiple tests were done before confirming his cancer diagnosis. Marcus and his family were shocked and devastated by the news. Marcus had multiple follow-up clinic appointments over the next 2 weeks. He met with the Mayo Pain Clinic, had a PET scan and MRI of his brain before finally meeting with Mayo Oncology on 8/4/25. The oncologist told us that the type of gastric cancer Marcus has is a very aggressive type of cancer. Without chemotherapy, Marcus would have 2 weeks to 2 months to live. His parents called insurance multiple times a day to get his treatment plan approved. Finally, on 8/7/25, they received a call from insurance stating the treatment plan was approved and would be covered. Once insurance okayed treatment, there were appointments to have a port placed before chemotherapy could start. The plan was his first out of 6 outpatient chemotherapy sessions would start on 8/13/25.

Marcus never made it back for his outpatient chemotherapy treatment. Unfortunately, he was brought to the emergency room on 8/10/25 with shortness of breath, fever, weakness, and severe pain throughout his entire body. After more tests, he was found to have a hemoglobin of 6.4 and was transfused with 2 units of blood and 1 unit of platelets. He was also diagnosed with sepsis pneumonia. Marcus and his family were told he needed prompt cancer-related treatment. It was touch and go for Marcus for multiple days in a row. His family and physicians did not think he was going to survive. Marcus's stomach tumor started to bleed and he was having difficulty breathing. During his hospital stay, he continued to receive multiple units of blood and platelets, trying to get his blood to clot. Marcus and his family were told his cancer is rapidly progressing. On 8/15/25, he finally was able to receive his first chemotherapy treatment. Marcus's breathing and pulse continued to improve, and the bleeding stopped. Thus far, the treatment has improved his pain to a more bearable level. He has been a trooper and never complains, even when his entire family could see how much pain he is in and how weak he is. Every time his family would leave his room, he would say "be safe"; always thinking of others and not himself. We are hopeful the treatment will slow down the cancer to give him some more time with his family to create more memories. We are hoping we will be able to get him back home to live out the remaining time he has with us.

After 11 days in bed, Marcus was able to stand up and take a few steps. On August 21st, the physicians told Marcus there was nothing more they could do for him in the hospital as he was stable at this time. He would need to follow up with Oncology on an outpatient schedule. Marcus was discharged from the hospital and admitted to Oaklawn Skilled Nursing Facility. Marcus is in room 426 if anyone would like to stop in to say "hi" and visit with him. Marcus is hopeful after some physical therapy he will be able to get back home. We are praying he will be able to get his next outpatient chemotherapy on September 2nd. This treatment will depend on how Marcus's body has recovered from his first treatment. Marcus will continue to have chemotherapy every 2 weeks for 6 doses as long as his body will allow.

Please donate as you are able. Please pray for Marcus's recovery and for his family.