My name is Mitch, and I’m humbly asking for your help on behalf of my dad, Phil, and our whole family during one of the toughest chapters we’ve faced. Dad has been a beacon of love, faith, and service his entire life—a Christian minister who’s poured over 40 years into mission trips supporting the struggling people of Haiti, pastoring in the local church, volunteering, and ministering to anyone who needed encouragement, prayer, or a listening ear. My mom, Ginny, a dedicated and now retired schoolteacher for over 40 years, has stood by his side every step, always putting others first. Together, for more than 45 years, they’ve faithfully served the church, raised three kids, and lived out their Christian values by choosing kindness and generosity—even when life has given them hardship after hardship.
In late 2021, Dad was diagnosed with melanoma. After two only partially successful surgeries, immunotherapy began in the summer of 2023, at which point it was classified as stage 3b. The treatments were intense—Dad endured very harsh reactions to the drugs (including a near-fatal side effect at one point)—but he pressed on with excision surgeries, multiple rounds of radiation, immunotherapy, and supportive integrative therapies to aid his recovery.
In late fall 2023, the cancer grew more aggressively, spreading to the lymph nodes and prompting reclassification to stage 4A. This led to a stepped-up regimen of chemo and radiation starting early 2024. Praise God, after that intense period, Dad was cancer-free for nearly 18 months—with blood tests showing no detectable cancer by mid-2024. It truly felt like a miracle, and we celebrated that season of remission.
Then, in late 2025, the cancer returned aggressively, metastasizing to distant locations and prompting the current reclassification to stage 4C. We’re devastated but clinging to hope and faith. Dad is now working closely with his oncologist to determine the best next steps, awaiting blood test results that will guide which therapies his tumor responds to most effectively. Options include targeted immunotherapy, other specialized drugs, or possibly a recommended clinical trial. Medicare will cover portions of some treatments, but there are still significant out-of-pocket costs for deductibles, copays, uncovered items, scans, labs, travel to specialists, medications, and supportive care. Dad has found strength in integrative approaches that help manage side effects, reduce inflammation, and support his overall well-being alongside conventional care. These have been meaningful for him, but they add to the uncovered expenses. Past treatments have already left the family with substantial medical debt, and with very limited resources right now, they’re facing difficult decisions.
We’re setting a goal of $50,000 to help relieve this burden: pay down existing medical debt, cover upcoming out-of-pocket gaps for oncology treatments and supportive therapies, and provide some breathing room during this uncertain time. Every contribution will go directly toward his care and keeping my parents stable.
Dad remains the same faith-filled, positive man we’ve always known—he’s still cracking jokes, praying for others, and inspiring us with his courage and faith. Mom keeps working hard while caring for him, and our family is united in this fight. But we can’t do it alone.
If Dad has ever blessed you through a sermon, mission work, or a kind word; if Mom touched your life as a teacher or community servant; or if you simply believe in giving someone who’s given so much a chance to keep fighting—any help means the world. A donation of any size, sharing this page, reaching out with an encouraging word, or lifting us up in prayer will make a real difference.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading and for any generosity—financial, emotional, or spiritual. God bless you abundantly.
With deep gratitude and hope,
Mitch (On behalf of Phil, Ginny, John, Keith, and our families)
Organizer
