This holiday season has looked very different for our families. While we are staying positive and leaning on one another, we’ve received life-changing news and are preparing for a difficult road ahead. We are ready to fight with everything we have — but we could use some help along the way.

On Wednesday, November 26th, Mick headed out to his deer stand feeling good. On his way back, he began to feel off. The left side of his body wasn’t working properly, his leg went numb, and he fell multiple times. With some assistance, Mick made it safely back into the house. After noticing continued symptoms, a quick stroke assessment led to the decision to go to the hospital, just to be safe.

At the emergency room, multiple tests were run, including a CT scan. The scan revealed a brain bleed and a mass the size of a tennis ball. Due to the seriousness of the findings, it was decided that he would need to be transferred to a higher level of care. He was then transferred to the University of Minnesota where he spent the following two weeks.

Thanksgiving and the days that followed were filled with testing, waiting, uncertainty, and long hours in the ICU. Despite everything, Mick remained in good spirits — walking laps around the unit, joking with staff, and becoming the most active patient on the floor. At first glance you wouldn’t think he was dealing with a large brain tumor! After two weeks at the U of M hospital and additional testing, doctors shared that the mass appeared cancerous. Surgery was recommended to remove as much of it as possible, with further treatment consisting of chemotherapy and targeted radiation to follow.

After days of anticipation, surgery took place on Monday, December 8th. The surgery ended up being shorter than expected, as the medical team was unable to definitively identify the cancer during the procedure. Some of the mass was removed and sent for biopsy, with results expected in 5–7 days. Mick has been recovering well from surgery and was able to return home while awaiting his diagnosis.

Being home brought some much-needed normalcy — Christmas decorations went up, meals were shared. Since surgery, Mick has noticed improvements in his balance, vision, and clarity of thought — signs that the pressure from the tumor had been affecting him more than anyone realized.

On December 19th, we received the diagnosis we had been praying would not come: Glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.

Mick now faces another surgery to remove as much of the mass as possible and ongoing treatment. What was initially scheduled for early January has been moved up to December 29th due to insurance complications, accelerating both the emotional and financial strain.

Mick and Laurie are incredibly humble and have never been ones to ask for help. However, as this journey continues, it has become clear that support is needed. Major medical events come with countless unplanned expenses — travel, lodging, gas, meals, comfort items, and time away from home for all involved — all of which add up quickly.

We are asking for donations to help ease the financial burden of Mick’s prior and upcoming surgery and the long road ahead, so he and Laurie can focus on what matters most: healing and time together. Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference. If you’re unable to donate - prayers, kind thoughts, and shares are deeply appreciated.

We are so grateful for the love, support, and check-ins we’ve already received. It means more than words can say. Thank you for standing with Mick and Laurie as they face this fight — they are not doing it alone.

There are multiple ways to donate to help the family during this journey:

-Here through the GoFundMe link, please note a small fee will be applied

-By cash or check, we can coordinate pickup/delivery

-Via Venmo to @MichaelBrennan607, please choose friends/family for no fee

-By direct deposit at their home bank, please message for details