Robert Petty went to the ER thinking he had food poisoning. He left with a diagnosis no family is ever prepared to hear.

Robert has terminal stage 4 pancreatic cancer that has metastasized to his liver. His doctors have given him approximately six months.

But six months is an estimate—not the measure of how much life Rob has left to live.

Robert to his family, Brother Robert to his masonic family and Rob to his friends is 52 years old and until this diagnosis, he was healthy, strong, and always the person everyone could count on. He was the one people called first—the one who showed up, helped solve problems, and carried the weight of others without complaint.

Robert recently underwent surgery to have a port placed in his chest to help with the delivery of his chemotherapy treatments. He also underwent a second surgery to place a stent in the bile duct, which had been blocked by the tumor. The stent will help restore the proper flow of bile from his liver into his digestive system and, hopefully, help improve his bilirubin levels so he can begin chemotherapy in the upcoming weeks.

To his community, Rob is the steady one. For the past seven years, he has served as a FreeMason, where service, commitment, and helping others have been a part of who he is.

Rob provides for many family members. He supports a stepdaughter he adores (his mini-me) and as the patriarch of his family many depend on him day-in, day-out emotionally and financially.

Now, Rob needs us more than ever!

Since his diagnosis, Rob has been living with constant excruciating pain while facing the physical and emotional demands of treatment, as well as the incredibility challenging demand of navigating the reality of his terminal diagnosis and all that it entails. The life his family depended on—financial support, plans, routines, and stability—has unfortunately all been put on hold.

We are asking for help so Rob can focus on what matters most: fighting this cancer and spending as much time as possible with the people he loves.

Your gift will help cover:

One medication Rob’s doctor wants him to take has already been delayed because of the cost. That is something no family should have to face while fighting cancer.

Your donation can help close the gap between the care Rob needs and what his family can afford.

Rob’s expenses will continue every week throughout treatment. Any contribution will provide steady support his family can count on. A one-time donation helps with the immediate expenses they are facing right now, and every gift means more to us than we can put into words.

Whether you're able to donate or not, please help us share Rob’s story. A share may reach someone who can help provide the treatment, medication, or support Rob needs.

We will do our best to continue to post updates here as Rob moves through treatment.

Thank you for standing with Rob and our family during the fight of his life. Thank you for helping us give him the opportunity to fight for more time, more memories, and the life he deserves. We trust God is ultimately in control.

Love, Dawn-Robert's baby sister