Support Mike's Last Hope Against Cancer

Our family has debated writing this GoFundMe for close to 2 years, but with life literally now at stake, it is a necessity, and we are humbly asking for your help. My name is Lindsay, and my sister, Kylie and I are writing this on behalf of our dad, Mike and our mom, Laurie.

Two years ago, our dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 Follicular Lymphoma, on the very same day he was cleared from a disabling arm injury that required major surgery, 9 months of physical therapy, and full-time time off of work at his restaurant, Pizza 1.

He began chemotherapy a week later. 1-2% of people with follicular lymphoma experience a transformation in which the cancer becomes highly aggressive. Unfortunately, our dad did not beat the odds. Over the last 2 years, he has gone through 2 intense rounds of chemotherapy, had countless scans and tests, seen nearly 100 doctors, and spent 52 days in the hospital fighting for his life. He also has an immunodeficiency disease that leaves him highly susceptible to infection, and has not been able to be in indoor public places other than doctors’ offices. In addition to chemotherapy, he has been receiving monthly infusions to bolster his immune system.

Our mom has worked relentlessly managing and coordinating his care, taking over and selling his restaurant, teaching full-time at Cabrillo College, and single handedly dealing with all of life’s responsibilities. And she is now facing some serious health challenges of her own.

On Father’s Day, we received devastating news that the cancer has come back for the 3rd time, more aggressively than before. He has stopped responding to treatment. The doctors at Stanford have one final treatment option. Without it, our dad will only have a few months to live. The treatment, called CAR T-Cell therapy , removes T-cells from his blood, genetically alters them in a lab, and reintroduces them into his body with the hope they will attack the cancer.

The outcome of the standard CAR T-Cell treatment is unknown, but there is a clinical trial at Stanford he qualified for. Despite the serious physical and neurological risks of the clinical trial, and the financial burden it will create, our dad has decided to participate in the trial. It is the last hope, his best chance at survival, and the way to help others in the future. Without the treatment, our dad will die.

It is a long, complicated process, requiring many tests, doctor visits, 3 consecutive days of chemotherapy, and hospitalization for at least 2 weeks after the infusion. Because the side effects from the treatment can be life-threatening, Stanford is requiring my parents to live near Stanford hospital, at their expense, for at least 2 additional weeks once our dad is discharged from the hospital. He must also have 24-hour care the entire time. Our parents will require substantial help and support, both at Stanford and at home, especially with our mom needing to return to work.

Our dad is preparing for the fight of his life, ready to battle cancer for the 3rd time in 2 years, with our mom by his side. We want to win this war against cancer once and for all. And to do it, we need your help.

The money raised will go towards:

• Medical bills and treatment costs

• Housing near Stanford

• Transportation, gas, and parking expenses

• Skilled Nursing and Home Health Care

• Rehabilitative Services (Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy)

• Living expenses and lost wages

With love and thanks,

The Colombani Family