Support and Relief for the Swanson Family

Hello all,

My name is Alice Lee, and I am reaching out on behalf of Scott, Robin, and the rest of the Swanson family. For anyone who does not know me, I met Scott at the launch of our project at the Seattle Children's hospital in the Summer of 2021. Since then, we have become dear friends and I am writing this in hopes of bringing the community together to support one of the most wonderful families I have ever met.

As many of you know, Scott was diagnosed with lung cancer around Winter 2021. In very Scott-like fashion, he handled this diagnosis with grace and did not want his medical condition to overshadow his dedication to his work. After many appointments, surgeries, and rounds of chemo, Scott was declared Cancer-free in May 2022. A few colleagues, including myself, celebrated this occasion with his family in his home.

I regret to say that despite this, the cancer has returned and spread, and recent scans over the past few weeks have shown pulmonary embolisms and tumors in his brain. He has been undergoing aggressive treatments since the discovery, but more and more risks arose with mitigating his condition. Over the weekend of 10/2, Scott made the difficult decision to return home to spend as much time as he can with his loved ones.

For anyone that knows him, you may agree that Scott is a great storyteller, and one of the most memorable and wholesome stories he told me was of this stuffed monkey fondly named Monk Monk. When one of his sons was very young, he suffered through horrible night terrors. Eventually, one of the prevailing solutions was to have Monk Monk stationed at the bedroom door as a guardian. In time, Monk Monk was accompanying Scott on business trips as a way to bring his family to work with him and to be safe on the journey.

Today, I want to honor Scott with something to symbolize Monk Monk to show that we are all here to support and protect him, for whatever may come. There are many ways to process this grief, and it's something I've struggled with ever since Robin reached out to me with the heartbreaking news. I, and many others who've been close with Scott, want to do right by him and serve something greater than ourselves and our day-to-day to give the Swansons peace and support.

All donations will go directly to the Swanson family. You will receive a pin or a sticker (your choice) that I have designed based on Monk Monk for each person who donates. Anything you are willing to spare will make a difference. Please feel free to share pictures and your favorite stories of Scott. Thank you all.

To follow their story, please visit their CaringBridge site.