Patrick O'Bryan has been fighting an incredibly tough battle for years. Seven years ago, he was diagnosed with a severe genetic disorder called MEN1 and, more recently, stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer. Just days ago, Patrick underwent emergency surgery on his pancreas, liver, and duodenum. After being sent home, he suffered a near fatal renal failure and is now back in Rush hospital in Chicago, enduring a harrowing series of tests, Emergency Room visits, and ongoing treatment. While Patrick is fortunate to have insurance, it simply doesn't cover everything. The costs of medical and pharmaceutical treatments are mounting, and the family is facing a financial crisis. Patrick's father, Pat, drove from Texas to Chicago to be a co-primary caretaker alongside Patrick's wife, Amy. Neither Patrick nor Amy drive or own a car, making daily life and hospital visits even more challenging. Pat, a retiree living on a small fixed income, could never have budgeted for this trip, and the expenses are overwhelming. Travel, lodging, parking, and food at the hospital are all adding up quickly, creating a huge gap between what the family can provide and what is truly needed.

Through all of this, Patrick has been strong and courageous, and we are all very proud of him. The funds raised through this campaign will help pay for Patrick's ongoing medical treatments, prescription drugs, travel, and living expenses for him and his support team. Because Patrick can't work and Amy can only work part time, your support will help keep them afloat during this difficult time. Unfortunately, this is not a 'one and done' situation—MEN1 and pancreatic cancer require continuous testing and care, and the need for help will continue.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give to Patrick and his team. Although I'm writing this in third person, this is Pat—'dad'—and I'm willing to bankrupt myself to keep my kid alive as long as possible. It would be nice to not have to. My wife, Betsy, is working full time to help keep our lives going, but there's going to be a huge gap between what we can provide and what is needed. Any money you can spare will be used to keep Patrick going. Maybe all you can afford is to buy him lunch or help fill a prescription. Maybe you can do a lot more? Maybe you can imagine writing this if it was your son or daughter facing a life-threatening medical condition? What would you hope for? Patrick, Amy, Betsy, and Pat will be extremely grateful for any help you can provide. Thank you.