My name is Chad Bristow. My wife, Kara, and I have four children; Brynn, Kenley, Harper, and Ryker. In early August 2023, I discovered I have stage 4 clear cell renal cell carcinoma. A fall off a ladder in May left me dealing with shoulder pain for months. I spent time in physical therapy for what we thought was a pinched nerve, however, the pain continued to worsen and affected my ability to work. Eventually, I was unable to write or use my right arm at all. On Saturday, August 5th, my wife took me to the ER where I had a CT scan. They found a fracture in my C7 vertebrae, masses on my kidney and abdomen, and tumors on my spine. I was taken by ambulance to Baptist hospital where I underwent a lengthy surgery to replace my vertebrae and a rod placed for support. The surgery was successful and all scans have shown that the C7 site has healed as expected. The biopsy results from the surgery revealed I have clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer. Since the tumors have spread to my spine, the doctors diagnosed me at stage 4. I began immunotherapy treatments at the end of August and had radiation at the surgical site in hopes to eliminate any future tumor growth at my C7. The results from a scan in early November have shown the cancer did not respond to the immunotherapy and radiation treatments as we hoped. My family and I are devastated with this news as you can imagine. The plan now is to head to MD Anderson in Houston. I have an appointment with them at the end of December. Our support system of family, friends, and co-workers have already been so incredible. However I still have a long road ahead of me trying to find a treatment that will work. My friends and loved ones have encouraged me to set up this account to raise money for me and my family during this difficult time. Thank you.