Skyler, my partner, is embarking on a new and challenging phase of his seven-year journey with cancer. Sky has faced his diagnosis of follicular lymphoma with immense strength and resilience, enduring six cycles of chemotherapy and multiple rounds of radiation over the last year and a half. Unfortunately, his disease has been resistant to these treatments. 
 
Follicular lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer that begins in the white blood cells of the immune system. Because the immune system is compromised, this makes those affected especially vulnerable to illness and stress. Unlike more aggressive cancers, follicular lymphoma is typically a slow-growing disease that can often be managed for many years. However, in Sky's case, the disease has proven to be resistant to the standard chemotherapy and radiation treatments he has already received over the last year and a half. This is why his medical team has determined that a more intensive and innovative approach is necessary. 
 
Sky has been accepted into an intensive promising new treatment called CAR-T cell therapy at Stanford Hospital Cancer Center. CAR T-cell therapy is an innovative cancer treatment where a patient's own immune T-cells are extracted, genetically engineered in a lab to recognize and attack cancer cells (becoming CAR T-cells), grown into large numbers, and then infused back into the patient to precisely target and kill cancer. This "living drug" uses the immune system to fight cancer, offering a highly targeted approach. 
 
As a professional, Sky is a musician and music teacher. In between treatments, Sky has been teaching his students remotely. However, now due to the intensity of the therapy and his recovery, he will be unable to work for many months. Throughout this long fight, Sky has never once asked for financial help and has continued to work and provide despite the physical and emotional toll of his treatments. Because I know Sky would never ask for donations on his own, I am making this plea on his behalf. 
 
I am humbly asking for your support to help Sky cover the essential expenses that have come with this journey so that we can focus entirely on Sky's health and recovery. I am hoping financial donations can help ease stress and anxiety. By taking away this major source of anxiety, we can help ensure his body can focus its full energy on healing. 
 
While there are wonderful foundations that offer financial assistance for cancer patients, the reality is that their resources are extremely limited and the slots for assistance are almost always taken due to overwhelming demand. This is why we are turning to our community as the most direct and effective way to get the immediate help we need to focus on Sky's recovery without delay. 
 
Your generous donations will help him make up for the lost income and cover the many expenses that have accumulated throughout his seven-year journey. Here’s how they will help: 
 
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<li>Lost Income &amp; Medical Expenses: Your support will help manage living &amp; medical expenses. While insurance covers a portion of the treatment, there are significant out-of-pocket costs Sky needs to cover. These include large monthly insurance payments, deductibles, co-pays, and other expenses not covered by his plan. 
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<li>Travel &amp; Accommodation: Sky and I must relocate from our current permanent residence in Grass Valley, CA to a temporary location in Palo Alto, CA because we must stay near the hospital for at least 28 days after Sky’s infusion. The cost of a month's stay in the Silicon Valley Bay area is a major expense. Additionally, your contribution will help cover gas, meals, and other essentials. 
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Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and for being a part of Sky's incredible support system. I will keep you updated on his progress. Any little bit helps, but even if you are unable to donate, you can make a huge difference by sharing this campaign with your network. Thank you for your support and for being a part of Sky's journey. 
 
With deepest gratitude, 

Andrea

Support Skyler's Battle with Follicular Lymphoma

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