Hi,

My name is Tom and I've been living with a diagnosis of Stage 4 cancer, specifically - it started as appendiceal adenocarcinoma, and became what is known as peritoneal carcinomatosis , which means it's a very rare cancer that started in the appendix and spread throughout my entire abdomen.

It's very aggressive and there is no direct protocol for treating it.

So far, I've been on a chemotherapy program that is designed for colorectal cancer, mainly because it's the same area of the body, so the protocol works to some extent.

However, for me, this treatment is becoming less and less effective. I'm facing mounting bills for this treatment and the huge expense of either a major surgery called HIPEC, which is a 14-hour ordeal that involves a hot chemo wash of my opened abdomen.

Or - preferably - a more integrative approach, which I have found at several locations both here in the USA and abroad. I've decided to place my hopes in one of two places as you will see below, but their cost is out of reach for me now.

I'm hoping there are enough kind folks out there who can understand the predicament I'm in and would be willing to help with whatever you can.

That can include recurring monthly donations which may make it easier to spread a larger amount over time; the long term nature (I hope!) of this treatment means the need will remain with us for some time to come.

Or, if you just share the word and the link - this often leads to surprising, large donations from folks who would have never known about this fundraiser.

Either way, I’m forever grateful for whatever you help you are willing and able to provide, I truly appreciate all of you!

Every little bit helps, as I've already maxed out my credit cards for the insurance premiums that I continue to pay, and the deductible; there's so little left for the cost of in-residence, integrated treatment, which is what I truly hope for at, for example, either of these:

Hope 4 Cancer, which is in Mexico

https://hope4cancer.com

-or-

Envita, in Phoenix, AZ.

https://www.envita.com

Both of these are not so far away from where I live in Southern California:

Here’s more detail about how this cancer works in the body:

https://www.webmd.com/cancer/what-is-peritoneal-carcinomatosis

Thank you for reading this, and if you're even thinking about helping or just wishing me the best outcome I can hope for, my dreams for survival are already on the way to being fulfilled.

Please spread this link by using the Share button below - however you can - the more people see this the better my chances become!

The photos here are of me during chemotherapy infusions, and also a few pre-cancer photos with my wonderful girls, who I hope to be around to watch grow into the wonderful young women I know they will be.