My name is Kelsey DeWeese, sister-in-law to Zach and sister to Courtney. I am starting this GoFundMe to help support their family during this difficult time.
At just 42 years old, Zach’s life changed in an instant. After months of searching for answers to troubling symptoms, he received the devastating diagnosis no family is ever prepared for…METASTATIC SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA.
Zach is devoted father to his sweet 6 year old son, Lachlan, and a proud, bonus dad to 15 year old Holden. His family is everything to him. He is the kind of man who works hard, puts others first, and always shows up for the people he loves. Now, he needs support as he begins the fight of his life.
Zach was officially diagnosed on April 10th after a biopsy of lymph nodes in his neck. Since then, life has become a whirlwind of appointments, uncertainty, and difficult decisions.
He has a PET scan scheduled for April 24th, followed by an oncology appointment on April 30th to determine the full extent of the cancer and finalize his treatment plan. Doctors expect treatment to begin immediately and it will likely include surgery, aggressive chemotherapy, and at least 35 rounds of radiation treatments, five days a week. Because of the location of the masses, he may also require a feeding tube during treatment.
Doctors have advised that Zach will be unable to work for an unknown amount of time, creating added financial stress as medical bills and everyday expenses continue to grow.
To make things even more challenging, Courtney is also dealing with a serious ACL tear and meniscus root injury that happened on Easter Sunday. Her surgery has been put on hold until they know how Zach responds to treatment and until help is available for their two boys. Once she is able to have surgery, she will be non-weightbearing for 4–6 weeks followed by intense physical therapy. In the meantime, she wears a custom brace and pushes through daily pain just to manage normal tasks while trying to care for her family.
This family is facing so much at once: cancer treatment, postponed surgery, lost income, rising expenses, and the challenge of keeping life as normal as possible for Lachlan and Holden during an incredibly difficult time.
We are asking for help to ease some of that burden. Donations will go toward medical bills, household expenses, groceries, transportation to treatments, and helping provide stability for their boys while Zach and Courtney focus on healing.
This page will be updated as we go to share Zach’s treatment progress and any ongoing needs.
No donation is too small. If you are unable to give, sharing this fundraiser and keeping their family in your thoughts and prayers would mean so much.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, support, and generosity.