My name is Tanya Walker and I am the daughter of Patrick Walker. The last 6 years have been incredibly challenging for our family. On the evening of November 19th, 2020, when we were at the height of Covid, my dad received the news that many dread to hear: “YOU HAVE CANCER.” At that time, he was told by his Primary Care Physician, a doctor who was cold, lacked empathy, and the expertise of an Oncologist. This physician asked my father if he was sitting down. After passively telling him that he has cancer, he also informed him that he knows people who have lived 3 to 5 years. The PCP also concluded by telling him that he may have already had this cancer for 3 to 5 years. I am so grateful that his PCP's God complex at that time was just his perception and that he was 100% off with his timing. As we all know, God has the final word.

All this news devastated my father. His only health concerns until this time period were Asthma, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, and Allergies. He was in his late 60s thinking about finally having the opportunity to retire, travel, and enjoy his family and friends. He knew that he was not immune to cancer, but the thought that this was happening to him seemed so surreal. This news about his diagnosis traumatized him and sent his body into shock. Soon after, my dad was admitted to the hospital and over weeks was put on a ventilator; he experienced renal failure and later the torture of dialysis. Every blood test revealed that his lab results were extremely high or low; everything was out of range, and we just could not grasp how all of this could have happened so fast. Most importantly, what could we do to prevent it from getting worse? We continued to put our faith in God, who never let us down.

Day to day, I was calling doctors and updating our family and friends close by and far away. Things were so scary because it got to the point where the doctors told us to prepare ourselves for the worst. We just could not imagine our lives without my father. Anyone who knows him could understand just how irreplaceable he is to all of us. My dad is extremely kind, always thinking of a way to help someone. He is a man with an amazing sense of humor. I thank God for this funny man because I know that it is truly his personality that has helped him get this far in life. Imagine, he bounced back after all of that, and no matter what he was going through, he still managed to have the strength to face another day.

I often would tell him to look at his cancer diagnosis as an ailment like arthritis. We all knew we were not walking in his shoes, but we believed that if he changed his way of thinking, it would give him more time in this world, and it really has. For the past 5 years, his lab work has still managed to go up and down, but overall it remained stable. After bouncing back and being released from the hospital in 2021, he started several rounds of chemotherapy via IV and also in pill form. This particular chemo kept his kidney function stable, and he was able to stop dialysis, which seemed like a wonderful thing at that time.

Recently, my dad was diagnosed with an additional form of cancer, which was most likely brought on by his chemotherapy treatments. The initial cancer is Marginal Zone Lymphoma, and now he was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which is now primary over the lymphoma. Lately, he has faced several hospital admissions to Memorial Sloan Kettering. He spends a lot of time seeing different physicians to manage his condition. Every week, his blood is drawn several times to see if his platelets, creatinine, and other labs are stable. If his numbers are off, he is given platelet and blood transfusions to bring them as close to normal. My dad faces chronic fatigue and is limited in what he can do. Some of this is due to the limitations that his doctors have placed on him, and the rest of the time it is because he lacks energy. With all of this being said, Mr. Walker still manages to think of others before himself by helping them in any way possible. My dad virtually has to live in a bubble. He MUST limit his physical contact with others. He always has to wear a mask and gloves to protect himself from infections, colds, and any other possible viruses that are out there due to his low white blood cell count.

Today, I am asking for your support on various levels. As you may be aware, medical costs are very high and overwhelming. Constant transportation back and forth weekly to the city is a lot on him. All of his medications are not 100% covered, so he is left with a lot of copayments and out-of-pocket expenses. We would deeply appreciate your support on any level possible. Any amount would be appreciated as it all adds up in the end and will make a difference with these costs. Since Dad's recent diagnosis of MDS and through extensive research, we have learned that my dad is a possible candidate for a Bone Marrow Transplant, which is so exciting and such a game changer for him. The first goal is to get him strong and stable with no possible signs of infections. The second goal is to start this new chemo regimen, which can possibly put him into remission for both cancers. The final goal will be to find him a bone marrow donor. Donations are helpful and are very important, but getting tested and possibly being a match could save my dad's life. If he were to get a Bone Marrow Transplant, it would CURE not just TREAT his CANCER. Mr. Patrick Walker could have an additional 20 plus years of life. The testing is done with a swab, so it’s pretty easy. Please look into it for us.

Please go to or visit the Memorial Sloan Kettering site for more information. You can help my dad as well as others. Please share my GoFundMe on all of your social media, texts, emails, etc.

The WALKER Family Appreciates You... May God Bless You ALL & Please Keep Praying For My Hero, The Trooper Patrick Walker’s Healthy Recovery. I know my dad will appreciate all of your help too. He is the strongest man I know, and I am honored to call him my dad and to be blessed to be his daughter.

Warmest & Best regards,

Patrick Walker's #1 Fan

Tanya Walker