Support Noah's Fight Against Advanced Stage IV Lung Cancer

Dear Friends, Family, and Caring Supporters,

My name is Noah I am 41years old. I have been facing one of the toughest battles of my life for the last 5 years, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). I was diagnosed in May of 2020 at 36 years old.

I underwent a wedge lung resection of the right lower lobe immediately after diagnosis. Friends started a meal train for us which was an incredible support for my family. Everything remained seemingly fine after surgery.

In October of 2020 we moved our family to a better school district in hopes of a better foundation for our kids to build on. In hopes that this would be our forever home, with endless possibilities for our kids future. Something when I was a kid seemed like pipe dreams that I never got to have. Growing up in Detroit in a single parent household to what I was creating with my family now was the best dream come true for my kids.

What I thought was just a work-related injury involving a fall I sustained in December of 2021. In February of 2022 they said they found out that cancer has progressed to Stage IV, spreading to my bone/ left pelvic iliac crest.

Hearing stage 4 cancer was an absolute gut punch. It felt like my whole world was crashing down. Doctors were able to identify the specific cell type, and I was able to take an oral chemo agent TAGRISSO. Cell targeted therapy was the best line. I was out of work at that time from December 2021 to February of 2022 due to severe pain, multi testing, port placements. Again, our friends and family came through with another meal train that helped my family so very much. TAGRISSO was something I read and my wife did so much research on that people could be on for many years. For me it kept the cancer at a hold for just under 2.5 years.

Through routine every 6 month imaging done in July 2024, I received the devastating news of multiple affected areas; severe progression in my left pelvis, 7th rib, lymph node level 2 and level 3. I found this out after a small, extremely rare mini trip to Chicago with my wife. We were just getting off the plane and I got the call. The ride home was something I will never forget, how scared I was, how numb I felt, how a desperately needed trip felt so far away even though we just got home.

In August 2024 we got the call when we were out at cedar point that the MRI showed two lesions on my brain. I don’t remember anything after that phone call except the fear of what it meant now that it was in my brain. We got home and the doctors asked, “how soon can you get into the office?” something you don’t really want to hear knowing the results I just got.

They said systemic approach of TAGRISSO was no longer a viable treatment option. The cancer cell proteins have mutated exon 19 deletion . Leaving only 1 option left to treat an identifiable cell type with systemic treatment, RYBREVANT. Risks and side effects were much higher with this medication. it was the first time in the four years of being a cancer patient that we had to finally break down and tell our children; Ryker (11), Conri (7), and Harlow (5). We didn’t want to scare them before but knowing it was in my brain and knowing the side effects of this medication would be significantly worse it left us with no choice.

I started the new regimen at the end of August 2024. Initially RYBREVANT showed significant improvement on the new areas I had. My hip felt better, and the areas on my ribs went away. A few areas were resistant, during this time receiving on separate occasions RADIATION gamma knife surgery twice to the brain, 2 rounds each surgery, 10 rounds RADIATION to my Left Hip and 8 rounds Radiation to my spine, shoulder and back.

Due to the rare genetic gene mutation that my NSCLC. With RYBREVANT being the 2nd line of systemic approach to treat my EGFR19 mutation I counted my blessings and prayed that this next treatment plan would be successful and hopes of no complicated side effects. RYBREVANT, was a whole new ball game, lasting close to 10 months on this systemic approach. Day one, treatment sent me into anaphylactic shock and it was extremely scary to endure. I remember starting to cough and trying to say something to my nurse about feeling flush from head to toe and the struggle to catch my breath as though it was being choked out of me. While most of my time on this treatment plan was joined with more conflicts than I have dealt with on other approaches. The three worst that I had to endure, 1) the pimple-like skin rashes that started on my face that eventually covered my face, scalp, chest and back with large plaque like scabs that I had to keep covered due to the pain and embarrassment of getting blood on anything. 2) the infected cuticle beds of my fingers and toes that randomly would come and go for extended periods and the closest thing I can compare it to is having multiple ingrown nails on hands and feet, that the slightest bump into would make me want to cry, very hard to deal with when you are constantly using your hands for work let alone home life. 3) Is battling severe fatigue that comes and goes without a rhyme or reason, making it very difficult to be active with my 3 young kids. Then kicks in the guilt and self-administered mental beat downs that I am not good for my family and letting them all down, that I wont get to see them grow up or graduate high school or even get INTO high school at this point.

My routine every 3 month brain MRI and CT scans were completed and each time they showed something new, they would treat it with radiation and would continue on with the RYBREVANT. How much more would it have to spread before they changed my treatment again? And how much more radiation could my body take in such a short period of time? I went to go so a cancer research doctor at West Penn Hospital to see if there were any trials I could partake in but there was nothing for the EGFR mutation my cancer had. Then after my routine scans in July, the cancer just keeps spreading. I have new areas on both of my shoulder blades, my left hip shows new activity, theres an area on my right hip, my right and left ribs, my spine, and my liver. The brain MRI was worse. Although most of the areas were extremely small, there were over 20 countable measurable lesions on my brain.

Even writing I have so much fear. We met the doctors once again to discuss the next options. The next option is a TRIAL MEDICATON that was accelerated to Phase 2 drug in the study. Datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk-“Datroway” for adults with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on June 23rd, 2025. The medication has been used for certain breast cancers with success but is still currently being researched for its effectiveness in NSCLC with phase 1 having a 46% success keeping cancer at bay for roughly 6.5 more months. With obvious outliers. Essentially i have a less than 50/50 shot at another year of life.The fact that this medication is in clinical trial shows the severity of the path my cancer is headed. Meaning that Datroway has a lot of unknown factors for it to work for me.

I am scared beyond words, it is very hard to put any meaningful thoughts of happiness to paper, when it seems that every time I get results after the numerous scans I receive, just shows more progression. From what I understand is that if the Datroway does not work, I would have to start vigorous chemotherapy due to my rare EGFR mutation with much more side effects, IF it even works. This Friday July 18th, 2025 I started the Datroway. The infusion went well with zero side effects like the Rybrevant. The known side effects are potentially pneumonitis, caratinitis of my eyes, and oral mucosa/ tongue sores.

It is just over five years of being diagnosed with (NSCLC), unfortunately these last bats of down times have made me have to take a long dark look in the mirror and start to realize my time is nearer than I would wish for. When this all started thought our biggest challenge was the fact in our 30s we did not think to set up life insurance for myself, meaning whatever happens to me my wife and kids don’t even have life insurance to help give them any reprive.

I don’t even have enough money for a funeral for myself or even a memorial service. That my family who is already having to adjust to all of these challenges will have to suffer even after my death. I remember stating to my Doctors that all I need is to make it until our kids are out of school and it has been nightmare after nightmare of having to face my reality of my days are numbered sooner than I would even hope for with the trajectory of my cancer progression.

The pain has been considerably worse, im realizing im more limited in my abilities I cant go swimming with the kids at the pool let alone go away on a vacation, with the extreme humidity I cant breathe going outside at certain times, the fatigue and exhaustion has been ten fold, the brain fog and forgetfulness has been notable.

Considering all I want is to be able to provide a happy nurturing home and be the best dad and husband for daughter Harlow 6 yo, my son Conri 8yo, son Ryker 12 yo, and the Rockstar of the family my incredible wife Ashley 38 yo.

Im not even sure how much longer I may be able to continue on being able to work as a respiratory therapist that leaves my family with so much unknown with single income, costs of my treatment, cost of my copays. Im so afraid that cancer is going to take away our ability to stay in our home and our kids around their friends and sports that are providing them with so much support and balance and normalcy. It kills me to feel so desperate but I am living my life three months at a time something so many people take for granted.

I want to thank everyone in advance from the bottom of my heart for prior meal trains, prior donations, well wishes, prayers , sharing and support on the previous Gofundme that a friend set up in my honor when this unfortunate journey started. Due to the series of recent disease progression and very unknown waters we are entering.

I WILL STAND TALL AND CONTINUE TO SMILE IN MY ADVERSITY and will not go down without a fight. The previous gofundme was closed. We thought that was plenty to get me over the hump and it really has been such a blessing

I myself am started a new gofundme to not only help my family after I pass but to help with the more direct unknowns with this trial chemo medications.

In hope and prayer that donors can help my dreams come true for my family to not have to be uprooted from what we have worked so so hard at keeping them planted, if my demise comes sooner than expected.

My friends and family are also working on a local fundraiser people who are unable to attend have been asking how they can help or donate. I know the fees arnt ideal on the platform but it helps us not have to battle the tax nightmare of income vs gifted monies.

A message from our dear friend who wants to say a few words:

If your family by blood, chosen family, friends, acquaintances, or a co-worker of Noah or Ashley, you know that his sense of humor is unwavering, his laugh is contagious, he has a heart full of generosity, and love for everyone who crosses his path. He is a warrior; with your help we can ensure he has the resources he needs to face this head- on. Together, we can make a tangible difference for him and his children, and show them that HE IS NEVER ALONE IN THIS FIGHT, HIS FIGHT IS OUR FIGHT, HIS FAMILY IS OUR FAMILY.

A few ways you can support:

FUNDRAISER: https://www.facebook.com/share/17AX99dPqL/

or you can look it up at LETS GLOW CRAZY Dance, Bounce, Eat, Drink for a cure

DONATE: Any amount- no matter how small goes directly to this battle

SHARE: spread the word by sharing this GoFundMe page with friends, families, social networks. Awareness is key to help reach our goal

OFFER SUPPORT: words of encouragement, positivity to Noah, Ashley, Ryker, Conri and Harlow.