Please Help Mike Fight Cancer

Hello, Our names are Gloria and Jan. We would like to tell you a story about our wonderful brother -in-law, Mike Simmonds.

He is such a compassionate, intelligent, and patient husband, father, and grandfather. He has always been a pillar of strength for our entire family. When his middle son was born with Cerebral Palsy and without some muscles and vocal cords, he began studying and researching ways to help him and others like him, to live a more productive life.

He started looking into activities for these children and found there were not any sporting events for handicapped children. He again began researching and meeting with other people in other cities which led him to start the Challenger Baseball league in the Tulsa area. It gave these children the opportunity to play and compete in sports for the first time in their lives. Mike was determined to give them something that he felt they deserved. It was a great success and many young boys and girls benefited from his effort.

When his son graduated from high school he again worked diligently to find a place where older children, that could not work outside the home, could meet on a daily basis to sharpen and continue their learning styles, life skills, and social activities. After much time, effort, planning and promoting his ideas, he became a founding board member of Pathways Center. It was started in a basement of a local church and has grown and flourished.

He has also been a fund raising speaker for the Little LightHouse and devoted over 20 years coaching and volunteering for Special Olympics.

After many years of helping so many, we are asking for your help with his battle against Cancer. He has been diagnosed with Malignant Neoplasm of the Prostrate. He had a prostatectomy in August, but unfortunately, the cancer had spread to the stem of his bladder. After contacting M.D. Anderson in Houston, he was told that they could provide the treatment that he needed. He must spend 7 weeks in Houston for radiation treatment after finishing chemo. His radiation treatments are scheduled to begin in September and because of the Covid crisis, it has been very difficult for Mike to find housing for him, his wife Jill and their special-needs son Drew. This is why we need your help.

Donations will be applied to his medical bills and housing. Thank you so very much for whatever you feel moved to donate.