Help a Survivor Survive!
Donation protected
HOW YOU CAN HELP, MY STORY IN A NUTSHELL: Hi, friends and family (and strangers, too)! In short, my angel army!
My name is Karissa and I need your help.

Many of you know that I have cancer and was diagnosed a couple of years ago at 31. The numbers are tough for those of us with Stage IV, but I hold onto hope – and my faith. God loves me more than anyone ever could. He has shown up time and time again in my life. He created me for a purpose. He put air in my lungs today, so I’m using what He’s given me to run the best race I can, knowing that He is real, that He sees me, that He is my deliverer.
I also know I have a role to play in the story He’s writing.
I’m going to Philadelphia to take part in a clinical trial that could extend my life considerably – even cure me and save my life.
I have already been tentatively accepted and have to go there in person to take care of some formalities. I can participate at no charge.
But now I have to pay to travel to Philadelphia approximately 15 times, as I take the experimental medicines and participate in the new protocol.
My husband, Doug, and I have estimated that we will need $12,000 dollars to travel and stay in Philadelphia for the duration of the trial.
Can you make a donation to help us cover this expense?
Anything you can share will make a difference.
So many have been so kind – friends, family, and even total strangers. It's hard to ask for help, but I’ve learned more than a little humility through all this.
Your thoughts and prayers have helped bring me this far. Please, please – keep them coming. And anything you can do toward our expenses for Philly will be appreciated, too.
I've been so encouraged by those of you who have read this, shared it or even donated. I know God is working through this!
Thanks for the love.
-Karissa and Doug
P.S. CBS4 and 9News/NBC in Denver both recently covered my story, which is humbling and a wonderful way to get the word out, not even about this page anymore, but about the heart behind it and what God has done in my life! Check them out and share if you're so inclined! :)
THE FULL STORY
THE WHY
I’m asking for your help to travel to and stay in Philadelphia for a clinical trial in the hopes that it will cure me of cancer and help me live a long life.
First, let me tell you why I want and need to be a part of this experiment.
Broadly speaking, I’m doing this clinical trial because the doctors don’t have anything left that can help me fight cancer – and I’m tired of having surgery! My cancer is considered terminal and virtually impossible to survive, so this clinical trial is a shot at life! It’s a vaccine that’s intended to “turn on” my immune system to help me fight cancer. The gene therapy will be delivered with five needles and several electric shocks all at once, wooo hooo! Can’t wait, haha! But seriously, temporary pain = WAAAAYYY better than the misery of chemo. To participate, I’ll have to travel to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia approximately 15 times, which is a very daunting prospect financially. If, by some miracle, I receive more donations than I need to travel and stay there, I will be using these funds to travel with my husband to the world’s happiest and most beautiful countries (we need more happy and more pretty!) and to fund a new life telling everyone who will listen that God is real. (living out my calling!)
Now, how I got here.
THE BACKSTORY
I don’t think of my life as sad, but on the surface, you probably would. People often marvel at my bad luck and puzzle over all of my tragic twists of fate. Case in point: recently, a literary agent initially refused to believe I was real and thought my life must be a work of fiction. Nope!
Two years ago, when I was 31, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. A rare (but increasingly common) disease in young people, the sting was stronger when I learned it was Stage IV.

The six agonizing months of chemo and four surgeries I’ve endured since have been more painful and punishing than I can ever describe.
Needless to say, I have seen many dark days. Some days have been so black, that I wanted to go toward the light, if you know what I mean :-o But I know I have more to do here. I have felt God’s presence, His provision and His love through all of it. And I can tell you with all the conviction that is in me that His light is brightest in the dark.
In between all this cancer crap, my best friend got on one knee and asked me to marry him! I was in the middle of chemo when he asked, which still makes me cry to this day! When he put that ring on my hand, discolored and numb from chemo, I was thinking that his devotion was like that a diamond – rare and precious.
It was such a joyful, loving moment. And amazing because of how many things had to work out for us to work out. We both continue to feel so blessed that God smiled on us and brought us to each other. Doug and I married on September 3, 2016 and he’s made my life richer, happier and more worth living.
Thirteen years before, I married his brother. You read that right. When I was 19 and he was 20, I married Greg – Doug’s older brother. Greg and I met senior year of high school and fell in love. After high school, compelled by love of country and a desire to do the right thing after September 11th, Greg joined the Marine Corps.
This photo was taken on Greg's second deployment to Fallujah a few months before he died. I miss him so.
Photo by Max Becherer
Thirteen months into our marriage and three months after he turned 21, Greg was killed in action in Fallujah on his second deployment. He died in hand-to-hand combat, taking the place of one of his fellow Marines and saving many others in his unit. For his bravery, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat Valor, the Navy Achievement Medal and the Purple Heart, among other commendations. I cannot begin to explain the depth of my despair for his loss or how it felt to be 20 years old and a widow.
Over many, many years, God put me back together.
When Greg died, I already knew that life could be short and cruel. Columbine solidified that. At 14, I ran, I heard the voice of God telling me not to be afraid and I survived. When I reflect on it now, I feel lucky. I imagine that that might surprise you. Why would I feel lucky after going through something like that? Because now I know without a shadow of a doubt that God is real. And that is an assurance that has grounded me in moments of heartache and doubt. I no longer have to wonder, I know.
I wish I could tell you that I was as shocked as everyone else was that there was a shooting at this sheltered little high school in this sheltered little town, but I wasn’t. My mom’s death from breast cancer three years before had already taught me that life was not fair and that I shouldn’t expect it to be easy. My task, I decided the night my mom died when I was 11, was to live the best life I could in spite of the unfairness of it all, to not let her death ruin me and to honor her with my life.
My gorgeous mother Lucinda, who died of breast cancer when she was far too young. I love you mommy. I'm so sorry you suffered so greatly. Please tell God I want to stay here.
I still have those same ambitions, now, at 33. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also realized that I have a responsibility to my creator, who has given me the privilege of life. He put me here, for this time and for His purpose. My goal is to live a life that honors Him and the purpose He has for me. I know that I can trust Him with all of this because He loves me – and beyond that, He is love. He didn’t want any of this tragedy for me, but He shares my deep desire to make it all mean something – and to make it mean something for someone like you. Through all these tragedies, I know that my purpose is to tell people that God is real, that He is not an a—hole and that He loves them.
I firmly believe that I am running this race with the air that He put in my lungs, so I owe Him my thanks for every step, every breath, every moment — whatever may come.
Me and Doug celebrating after I completed a sprint triathlon in August, six months to the day after I had major surgery. At this point, we are both survivors!
My life is not a right, it is a privilege. And with it comes great responsibility to use my life well.
Speaking of privilege, I hope that if I have the privilege to know you in this life, you would say that there is more joy and more love in my story than sadness and tragedy.
THE CALLING
I know that my times are in God’s hands and with everything in me I want to use whatever time I have left to tell people about the hope that I’ve found in the One who’s been with me through it all, the One who created me for this time and the One who has prepared a place for me surrounded by His love.
I want to LIVE!
Celebrating on our honeymoon!
Please consider helping me do that. THANK YOU FOR READING!
To the giver of life!
-Karissa
My name is Karissa and I need your help.
Many of you know that I have cancer and was diagnosed a couple of years ago at 31. The numbers are tough for those of us with Stage IV, but I hold onto hope – and my faith. God loves me more than anyone ever could. He has shown up time and time again in my life. He created me for a purpose. He put air in my lungs today, so I’m using what He’s given me to run the best race I can, knowing that He is real, that He sees me, that He is my deliverer.
I also know I have a role to play in the story He’s writing.
I’m going to Philadelphia to take part in a clinical trial that could extend my life considerably – even cure me and save my life.
I have already been tentatively accepted and have to go there in person to take care of some formalities. I can participate at no charge.
But now I have to pay to travel to Philadelphia approximately 15 times, as I take the experimental medicines and participate in the new protocol.
My husband, Doug, and I have estimated that we will need $12,000 dollars to travel and stay in Philadelphia for the duration of the trial.
Can you make a donation to help us cover this expense?
Anything you can share will make a difference.
So many have been so kind – friends, family, and even total strangers. It's hard to ask for help, but I’ve learned more than a little humility through all this.
Your thoughts and prayers have helped bring me this far. Please, please – keep them coming. And anything you can do toward our expenses for Philly will be appreciated, too.
I've been so encouraged by those of you who have read this, shared it or even donated. I know God is working through this!
Thanks for the love.
-Karissa and Doug
P.S. CBS4 and 9News/NBC in Denver both recently covered my story, which is humbling and a wonderful way to get the word out, not even about this page anymore, but about the heart behind it and what God has done in my life! Check them out and share if you're so inclined! :)
THE FULL STORY
THE WHY
I’m asking for your help to travel to and stay in Philadelphia for a clinical trial in the hopes that it will cure me of cancer and help me live a long life.
First, let me tell you why I want and need to be a part of this experiment.
Broadly speaking, I’m doing this clinical trial because the doctors don’t have anything left that can help me fight cancer – and I’m tired of having surgery! My cancer is considered terminal and virtually impossible to survive, so this clinical trial is a shot at life! It’s a vaccine that’s intended to “turn on” my immune system to help me fight cancer. The gene therapy will be delivered with five needles and several electric shocks all at once, wooo hooo! Can’t wait, haha! But seriously, temporary pain = WAAAAYYY better than the misery of chemo. To participate, I’ll have to travel to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia approximately 15 times, which is a very daunting prospect financially. If, by some miracle, I receive more donations than I need to travel and stay there, I will be using these funds to travel with my husband to the world’s happiest and most beautiful countries (we need more happy and more pretty!) and to fund a new life telling everyone who will listen that God is real. (living out my calling!)
Now, how I got here.
THE BACKSTORY
I don’t think of my life as sad, but on the surface, you probably would. People often marvel at my bad luck and puzzle over all of my tragic twists of fate. Case in point: recently, a literary agent initially refused to believe I was real and thought my life must be a work of fiction. Nope!
Two years ago, when I was 31, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. A rare (but increasingly common) disease in young people, the sting was stronger when I learned it was Stage IV.

The six agonizing months of chemo and four surgeries I’ve endured since have been more painful and punishing than I can ever describe.
Needless to say, I have seen many dark days. Some days have been so black, that I wanted to go toward the light, if you know what I mean :-o But I know I have more to do here. I have felt God’s presence, His provision and His love through all of it. And I can tell you with all the conviction that is in me that His light is brightest in the dark.
In between all this cancer crap, my best friend got on one knee and asked me to marry him! I was in the middle of chemo when he asked, which still makes me cry to this day! When he put that ring on my hand, discolored and numb from chemo, I was thinking that his devotion was like that a diamond – rare and precious.
It was such a joyful, loving moment. And amazing because of how many things had to work out for us to work out. We both continue to feel so blessed that God smiled on us and brought us to each other. Doug and I married on September 3, 2016 and he’s made my life richer, happier and more worth living.
Thirteen years before, I married his brother. You read that right. When I was 19 and he was 20, I married Greg – Doug’s older brother. Greg and I met senior year of high school and fell in love. After high school, compelled by love of country and a desire to do the right thing after September 11th, Greg joined the Marine Corps.
This photo was taken on Greg's second deployment to Fallujah a few months before he died. I miss him so. Photo by Max Becherer
Thirteen months into our marriage and three months after he turned 21, Greg was killed in action in Fallujah on his second deployment. He died in hand-to-hand combat, taking the place of one of his fellow Marines and saving many others in his unit. For his bravery, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat Valor, the Navy Achievement Medal and the Purple Heart, among other commendations. I cannot begin to explain the depth of my despair for his loss or how it felt to be 20 years old and a widow.
Over many, many years, God put me back together.
When Greg died, I already knew that life could be short and cruel. Columbine solidified that. At 14, I ran, I heard the voice of God telling me not to be afraid and I survived. When I reflect on it now, I feel lucky. I imagine that that might surprise you. Why would I feel lucky after going through something like that? Because now I know without a shadow of a doubt that God is real. And that is an assurance that has grounded me in moments of heartache and doubt. I no longer have to wonder, I know.
I wish I could tell you that I was as shocked as everyone else was that there was a shooting at this sheltered little high school in this sheltered little town, but I wasn’t. My mom’s death from breast cancer three years before had already taught me that life was not fair and that I shouldn’t expect it to be easy. My task, I decided the night my mom died when I was 11, was to live the best life I could in spite of the unfairness of it all, to not let her death ruin me and to honor her with my life.
My gorgeous mother Lucinda, who died of breast cancer when she was far too young. I love you mommy. I'm so sorry you suffered so greatly. Please tell God I want to stay here. I still have those same ambitions, now, at 33. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also realized that I have a responsibility to my creator, who has given me the privilege of life. He put me here, for this time and for His purpose. My goal is to live a life that honors Him and the purpose He has for me. I know that I can trust Him with all of this because He loves me – and beyond that, He is love. He didn’t want any of this tragedy for me, but He shares my deep desire to make it all mean something – and to make it mean something for someone like you. Through all these tragedies, I know that my purpose is to tell people that God is real, that He is not an a—hole and that He loves them.
I firmly believe that I am running this race with the air that He put in my lungs, so I owe Him my thanks for every step, every breath, every moment — whatever may come.
Me and Doug celebrating after I completed a sprint triathlon in August, six months to the day after I had major surgery. At this point, we are both survivors! My life is not a right, it is a privilege. And with it comes great responsibility to use my life well.
Speaking of privilege, I hope that if I have the privilege to know you in this life, you would say that there is more joy and more love in my story than sadness and tragedy.
THE CALLING
I know that my times are in God’s hands and with everything in me I want to use whatever time I have left to tell people about the hope that I’ve found in the One who’s been with me through it all, the One who created me for this time and the One who has prepared a place for me surrounded by His love.
I want to LIVE!
Celebrating on our honeymoon! Please consider helping me do that. THANK YOU FOR READING!
To the giver of life!
-Karissa
Organizer
Karissa Marcum Rund
Organizer
Englewood, CO
