The Schwingle family (posted 10.06.2022)

Hi All,

We are asking for donations for the Schwingle family. Please read below for their past and current story:

About John: John will be 49 years old in January of 2023. He’s a devoted husband to Kathy, a father and fan to his two daughters, Emma (16) and Lauren (10). He’s also brother, a son, an uncle, and a crazy, fun-loving, and sarcastic friend to many. He brings his humor and dedication to the workplace, but lives and loves for his family – always prioritizing their well-being first and foremost. Oh, we almost forgot - John also has a serious addiction to Major League Baseball; he was once a ballboy for the Red Sox! (#BostonRedSox #Redsox ) No kidding.

Their Story: John and Kathy’s story is one filled with 4 battles, 4 comebacks and 1 union.

Battle One: Around the age of 25 in 1999, just months before John was to marry his college sweetheart, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer that also spread to his lungs. It was a long, hard battle filled with chemo treatments, surgeries and tears, yet he beat the awful disease. With Kathy at his side, he came home. A few months later, after completing the final chemo treatment, together they walked the aisle and became Mr. and Mrs. The couple then went on to enjoy the next 20 years of building a great family, professional success and an overall great life, and “cancer-free”.

Battle Two: John had a nagging cough in 2020. After meeting with his doctor and undergoing a round of tests, the cough turned out to be a malignant tumor in a lobe in his right lung. He battled like a champ, somehow avoided COVID, endured another surgery, and was declared cancer free. Kathy once again stood by side and brought him home.

Battle Three: In the summer of this year, the lung cancer had returned and it had also passed to his lymph-nodes. The fighter that he is, he insisted this be taken care of quickly and aggressively. His surgeons then scheduled tumor removal for October 6th. Their goal was to remove another lobe from his lung and the cancerous lymph-nodes. The weekend prior to the surgery – just five days ago – John couldn’t shake a massive headache and went to the emergency room at his local hospital in Fairfax, Virginia.

Battle Four: During the ER visit, doctors found a 4.5 centimeter-sized tumor on John’s cerebellum. (Note: The cerebellum is the part of our brains located at the back of our head, just above and behind where our spinal cord connects to our brain itself.) The oncologist and surgeons were united in the need to immediately schedule surgery.

On Tuesday, October 4th John was prepped for brain surgery. The surgeons reported that the surgery was a success, the tumor was removed, and on October 6th, Kathy once again stood by side and brought him home. The days, weeks and months ahead will be filled with many more treatments to manage the cancer in his lung and his lymph-nodes.

Their Need: Due to compounding medical bills from Battles Three and Four, school expenses for his daughters and the unknown costs and extended time off work related to the next surgery, they need our help.

We, his friends decided that we want to help John and Kathy. We want

them to know they are not alone, and that the Battles they have and are fighting are not being fought alone. We are trying to raise $45,000 by the end of December 2022.

We are starting this GoFundMe to demonstrate the power of random acts of kindness, and intentional displays of love, and send a purposeful message of hope and light during a dark time. This latest battle will be followed by another comeback! Together, we can help to lighten the load for this amazing family. Please do all you can and share this among your friends. Let’s blow them away with generosity and a kind word of encouragement!