My name is Jeff. This is the first time I have ever taken up the venture of personally raising funds for a person in need. The cause is just and will make a massive difference in the life of my friend Drew and his family. Myself, like Drew have donated to numerous cancer-related fundraisers over the course of our lives. The gratification of being able to give time, muscle, or money makes us happy men. I am in hopes that I will be successful in raising the money required to make this 100 consecutive day trip to the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

The patient:

Drew Northrop

Drew was born in Hudson Falls, NY, on 10/20/1969. He graduated from Hudson Falls High in 1988. Drew joined the US Army that year and served until 1992. He began a career as a Corrections Officer with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. He moved on to the NY State Corrections Department and served 25 years as an officer before being forced into retirement by cancer.

Drew is the guy that if you ask him for a hand he puts both hands out, if you need something you most likely get two, if your feeling down he will literally pick you up. He is a consummate outdoorsman that loves hunting, fishing, camping or any other nature oriented event.

Drew has a very active family life. He has stepped into a supportive role with his girlfriend of five years and her 3 children, Madeline, Mason, and Maebrie. Drew juggles the hectic life of three kids in sports, dance, theater, band, chorus, karate and travel sports! He hardly ever misses a game. He goes to all of the school concerts, award events and dance recitals. Drew helps with Cub Scout events, honor society fundraisers and karate practices not to mention family trips, birthday parties and graduation parties.

Now the ugly:

Drew’s journey with cancer started with abdominal pain in Dec 2024. After several medical imagery exams, visits with specialists and bloodwork, Drew was diagnosed with Stage 3 Metastatic Germ cell Testicular Cancer. He had testicular surgery in Feb 2025. This was followed by 4 rounds of chemotherapy to stop the tumors that spread to his abdominal lymph nodes. The chemotherapy was conducted at GFH CR Wood cancer center from Mar 2025 - June 2025. Drew underwent a successful lung surgery in Aug 2025. All tumors removed from the lung had been destroyed by the chemotherapy. Unfortunately, weeks later while recovering from surgery Drew’s marker bloodwork started to increase, meaning the cancer was still active somewhere in his body.

The reason for this fund raiser now comes into play.

Drew now needs high dose stem cell aided chemotherapy for three months onsite in NYC. Drew will have to live near Sloan Kettering Hospital for the duration of the treatment. He will still need surgery after the treatment and regains the strength that will allow this. The surgery will consist of removing 2 abdominal masses and 2 inguinal masses.

With that being said the prognosis is positive and and success mean a 96% chance of being with us for another 20 years.

The cost of having to reside in NYC for 100 days is enormous. Though most all of the medical expenses are covered by his existing health insurance. The travel to NYC via Amtrak , 12 of the 100 days of lodging, dining, transportation to and from hospital and co-pays must be paid out of pocket. In order for Drew to meet the requirements of lodging he must also have a caretaker stay with him for the duration of the treatment. In this matter he is very fortunate. Jen his girlfriend has medical background and my wife Brenda is an RN. They are going to split the duties of staying in NYC with Drew for the duration.

Estimated cost breakdown:

Lodging 12 days $5000.

Train 10 trips $1400.

Co-pays 15 $750

Dining 100 days (x) 2 $10,000.

Taxi 100 days $3000.

Estimated total: $20,150.