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#LetsGo- Fighting Pancreatic Cancer

A few months ago, I was sitting at home watching the NBA playoffs, and get a text. You always look forward to getting awesome news from  your friends and family. That wasn't the case that day. I found out that one of my best friends, only 36 years old, Chris Heimann, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It is located in a difficult location to operate on right away. It is wrapped around both blood vessel and artery. 

Chris is by far one of the strongest guys I know, such a standup guy with an amazing sense of humor and wonderful personality. He always has a positive outlook on life.  He is a recruiter and a coach. He is a husband and a father to a beautiful two year old daughter. He is a son and he is a remarkable friend. Right now Chris is coaching but not sports. He is currently the Head Coach of a special team-the Coach of a team in this battle of cancer. His team includes family, friends, acquaintances, coworkers, and above all the general manager-his wife. It takes a team to work together and overcome any obstacles. 

So here is what he has to go through: 2-3 months of chemo, then a scan. If needed, another 1-2 months of chemo, then a scan. Then, if needed, some radiation followed by surgery to remove the tumor that should be smaller at that point. 

So far Chris has gone through a few rounds of chemo however his tumor has not shrunk yet. 

Here is a portion of a blog that Chris has created right after he found out he had cancer:  First of 4 in Round 1 : Full dose of folfirinox.  This.  Kicked.  My.  Ass.  I have never been that exhausted in my entire life.  When I walked out of the hospital, I had to stop and rest twice on the way to the car.  I am not in the best shape of my life.  But I can take walks.  Hell, even during the stretches when I am not working out, I can still run three to five miles – no question (now, my pace will be slow as balls but I can get the distance with ease, without stopping).  The walk from chemo to the parking garage – we are talking maybe 100-150 yards of walking with a single flight of stairs as the only obstacle.  I had to stop and rest twice.  My second break was after the flight of stairs.  I sat in a wheelchair at the top the stairs.  I am sure I looked like a big, strong man when Christy walked up the stairs to see me sitting in a wheelchair! 

When I got home, I slept.  Not because I wanted to but because I had to.  My whole body had to lay down to manage the weight.  My head had to lay all of the way onto the pillow to manage.  Sometimes, I closed my eyes because it was easier but I still didn’t sleep.  I know that it would startle the hell out of the people in the room because there were times when I would talk when they all thought I was sleeping.

Chris has maintained a positive outlook on this difficult situation and has definitely managed to keep his sense of humor. With accumulating medical bills and unforeseen expenses, and his wife being by his side supporting him, I am asking for your support in helping him fight this ugly cancer. 

Please donate anything that you can to help Chris and his family as they  fight through this battle. Your love, support, and generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!
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Donations 

  • Ned Colleran
    • $10 
    • 5 yrs
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Fundraising team: Team Chris (6)

Kevin Schroeder
Organizer
Raised $6,494 from 67 donations
Algonquin, IL
Christopher James Heimann
Beneficiary
Beau Shay
Team member
Raised $200 from 2 donations
Chris Strauch
Team member
Raised $50 from 1 donation
Kimberly Fox
Team member
Ted Grothe
Team member

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