Team Ranew - Nicholas' battle against Glioblastoma
After two weeks of Nicholas experiencing untreatable headaches, a visit to the ER on March 12, 2019 revealed a massive brain tumor. On March 14, 2019 he underwent a partial resection and is now continuing to seek treatment at MD Anderson in Houston TX. The tumor is located in his right frontal lobe and was determined to be Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4. "The median age at diagnosis for glioblastoma is 64 years of age, and risk increases with age." -https://www.abta.org/tumor_types/glioblastoma-gbm/
Nicholas is extremely young to have this diagnosis. He, along with his wife April and their three young boys, Kaden (10), Carter (5), and Lincoln (10 months) are from Georgia but have temporarily relocated to Houston TX for Nick to receive the very best treatment. MD Anderson is #1 in the Nation for Cancer treatment (https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cancer)
I think their friend Jessica said it best when describing this situation:
"(they) are not receiving life GIVING news, but instead, and only perhaps, a possible hope for life PROLONGING news.
(with) 3 small boys. A husband, a daddy, a son, a brother, a hard working, honest, funny, full of serving others man in his early 30s who will have his life cut too short, far far far too short. Soon.
The statistics and likely prognosis are startling and incredibly difficult and sad."
The financial support collected so far has funded Nick's individual out of pocket medical cost for the year ($9,000) and their temporary housing in TX ($7,311.79 - April 7 thru Jun 22, 2019), the cost of their children joining them in TX , flights, medication, and the start of some income replacement while they wait on Nick's Social Security disability to kick in. There is a mandatory 5 month waiting period for SS disability, even though his diagnosis falls under the compassionate care act. His SS Disability household max will still leave a large monthly deficit while April is being Mom, wife, and caregiver to Nicholas.
Please help in any way that you can $5, $50, $500, $5000 or simply share this with as many people as possible to help spread the word. Every dollar adds up to make a huge difference in the lives of this family so very much in need.
From the Ranew family:
"We are thankful beyond words for the love and support that's been showered on us. If not for the funds raised, we would still be in Augusta with a misdiagnoses of grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Augusta is not equipped to deal with brain cancer, something we were completely unaware of prior to this. The donations, acts of service, cards, love and support make all the difference in this battle we have begun. Thank you all."
