The Switzer 4, No One Fights Alone

October 4, 2022, was a day that redirected the future of the Switzer family. Their active, full-of-life head of the household, Tim, learned that his body was filled with a rare blood plasma cancer with no cure, called Multiple Myeloma. An avid snowboarder and mountain biker, Tim visited the doctor after months of significant weight loss and progressive malaise. After a week in the hospital due to kidney failure (caused by the cancer), he came home on his 44th birthday, with a future full of doctor appointments, weekly chemotherapy and radiation, and a lifelong battle ahead of him.

After 6 months of this new, not-so-desirable normal, Tim is now headed to the next step: a stem cell transplant. Not only is it an arduous process that will tax Tim physically, it will also strain every aspect of the Switzer family: emotionally, logistically, and unfortunately - financially.

Though Tim and family are grateful for good medical insurance, there are still many out-of pocket costs. Beyond the normal medical costs such as deductible, co-insurance, copays, and medication, the stem cell transplant will add extra expenses not covered by insurance. The transplant center is located about an hour drive from the Switzer home, so daily commuting for a month + of testing will add up in gas, parking, etc. Tim will be required to secure and stay in housing near the facility for 30-40 days post-transplant and is required to have a 24/7 caregiver. Nicole will be doing the bulk of this caregiver role while working remotely as much as possible and coordinating to have family stay with the kids. Tim has to take 3-6 months off work, and although he has some benefits to help, it comes at a 40-60% reduction in normal income for that time.

Any financial gift would be an incredible blessing to relieve some pressure from this family.

A note from the Switzer Four:

'It's shocking how much life can change, your future can shift, in a matter of seconds, days, months. We like to think we're strong people - but now, when we hear 'you've got this', or 'you're so strong', we can only think about how impossible those statements feel. A big lesson we've learned - or are trying to accept - is that strength is a journey that requires God, vulnerability, and other people. It truly takes a village. We're not great at leaning into that truth, particularly when it comes to asking for help, but we are blessed beyond measure to have a village willing to wrap us in love at every turn. It is very uncomfortable asking for help, but cancer and all that comes with it is vastly more uncomfortable. Thank you for allowing our family a little more space to heal.'

-Love, The Switzer 4