Update on David’s Treatment

First, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Because of your incredible generosity, David’s GoFundMe reached its original $10,000 goal. Those donations made a real and immediate difference, helping cover health insurance premiums, medical bills, and daily living expenses while David went through his first rounds of chemotherapy for lymphoma. The love and support shown to David and Seth has meant more than we can fully express.

After completing chemotherapy in Ohio, David and Seth returned home to North Carolina, hopeful that he was on the road to recovery. David began follow-up care with an oncology team at Duke University Hospital and was even able to return to work at Bell’s Seed Store for a short time.

Unfortunately, just about a month after finishing treatment, new scans and labs showed that the chemotherapy had not been successful. The lymphoma has returned and is growing quickly and aggressively. David was admitted to the hospital and began a new course of chemotherapy right away. He has since been released and is now at home, resting and recovering from the effects of treatment.

Because of this sudden setback, David has had to stop working again and focus entirely on his health. Seth continues to be his constant support, but they are now facing overwhelming medical and living expenses on a single income, with no remaining savings to fall back on.

Even in the face of this setback, we know that David will get through this. His medical team at Duke is exceptional, using state-of-the-art treatments and every available resource to fight this cancer. And just as importantly, David is strong, determined, and surrounded by people who love him and are standing with him every step of the way.

If you are able to give, or to share this page, your support will once again go directly toward medical costs and basic living expenses as David continues this fight.

Thank you for standing with David and Seth. Your kindness has already carried them through so much.

Love,

Angie, David, and Seth

____________________

Standing with David as He Fights Against Lymphoma

A few months ago, David’s and Seth’s lives changed in an instant.

David went to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. Within hours, doctors discovered multiple tumors throughout his abdomen and neck. After blood tests and biopsies, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Small B-cell lymphoma.

David spent weeks in the hospital waiting for answers and beginning treatment. Since then, he has completed five rounds of chemotherapy. The encouraging news is that his cancer is responding very well; his doctors are extremely pleased with his latest scans. But the road here has not been easy.

*David and Seth on Day 1 of Chemotherapy

Last month, while in the middle of treatment, David contracted COVID. With his immune system compromised, he was hospitalized again for nearly a week. Thankfully, with excellent care from his medical team, he has recovered and is doing well; but it was a frightening setback.

Before his diagnosis, David was strong, active, and constantly on the move. He loved working outdoors, growing rare houseplants, designing his garden, and skateboarding. Cancer forced him to put all of that on hold.

The pain from the tumors and the intensity of treatment meant stepping away from work, hobbies, and daily life almost overnight. David had to drop everything and devote all his energy to fighting this aggressive disease.

He and his husband, Seth, are walking this road side by side. Seth has been David’s constant support through hospital stays, long days, and uncertain moments. They are currently living in Ohio where David is receiving treatment. Our family loves David and Seth deeply, but we are far away and unable to help with the day-to-day realities they are facing.

Although David has insurance, it does not cover everything. Medical bills are piling up. At the same time, he has been unable to work, and their savings have been exhausted. With income drastically reduced, living expenses have become difficult to manage. The cost of insurance alone is staggering, and money to pay for insurance has all but run out. Without insurance, David cannot continue his life-saving treatment.

David remains determined and optimistic. He wants nothing more than to finish chemotherapy and rebuild his strength - to get back to his plants, back to skateboarding, back to being active and independent again.

If you are able to contribute, your support will go directly toward medical expenses and essential living costs as David completes treatment and begins recovery. If giving isn’t possible, sharing this page would mean so much to us.

Thank you for helping carry David and Seth through this chapter. We are hopeful, and deeply grateful, for every bit of support.

Angela, David, Seth, and Family

*All donations go directly to David and Seth to help cover medical costs, insurance payments, and living expenses.