Hello, my name is Alissa Napier. I'm located in Fishers IN. In 2008, my husband was diagnosed with a form of cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma. The disease typically affects children and teenagers, but it surfaced in my husband’s spine at the age of 35. Only 300-400 people in the United States are diagnosed each year, making it an especially rare disease. Like most families after receiving this heart-wrenching news, we searched everywhere for help, ultimately finding solace in Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital in New York City. My husband’s life was saved there, as the hospital had treatments designed specifically for battling Ewing’s Sarcoma. He is a survivor thanks to the amazing doctors and nurses there who worked tirelessly to save his life. Since that emotional and eye-opening experience, our family has made it our mission to give back all that was given to us in our time of need by helping others on their journey toward finding and affording cancer treatment. Since Sloan Kettering is located in the Upper East Side of NYC, making the trek to the city is a financially burdensome journey. We struggled with the expenses but were generously supported by family, friends, and benevolent strangers who organized fundraisers and gathered donations. We are forever grateful as their support gave my husband a fighting chance. Today, we are here asking your help in raising funds for another family on their journey toward finding life-saving treatment in New York City.

Todd Kelsey is 18 years old and is a recent graduate of Bishop Chatard High School. He has always loved sports, and during high school he played rugby and football. In April of 2022, Todd suspected he had suffered an injury while playing sports, but instead was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. Like in most cases, the disease manifested itself without warning in Todd’s body, a diagnosis no family will ever be prepared to hear. The Kelsey family has already traveled to Sloan Kettering for an opinion and plans on returning in July for a 2-3 month, or potentially longer, stay depending on how long radiation and surgery take. As mentioned above, Sloan Kettering is situated in the most expensive part of Manhattan, and the costs of travel, hotels/rent, food, and medical treatments will be high. We are starting this Go Fund Me to assist the Kelsey family with any costs associated with treatment plans because no family should have to fight this disease alone.  Your donation will help Todd and his family focus on Todd’s treatment needs rather than how much everything will cost. Whatever you can give will be a blessing for Todd and his family, and it will help get Todd back to life before his diagnosis. He has been accepted at Indiana University and plans to attend after his treatment.

Please continue to pray for Todd and his family as he seeks out treatment on the path toward remission.


You can follow along with Todd's journey at...

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/fightonkelseystrong