My Brother, Guy Ashley, Is Fighting For His Life!

This is my big brother Guy. He has been fighting aggressive cancer for almost a year and needs help to continue his battle.

Most of you know him, but a few of you don't. He is 47 years old, only four years my senior. He is incredibly smart, kind and witty, and excels in just about every way you could imagine. He has overcome some incredibly challenging circumstances and obstacles that would paralyze most of us. But, he is tenacious and determined to prevail over anything thrown his way. He always seems to succeed, and excel in ways that most of us can't. However, he is currently in the greatest struggle of his life. We need your help so he can continue to fight. 
 
In January of 2019, Guy was diagnosed with bladder cancer. This particular cancer is a disease that has plagued our family, taking the life of both our sister and our father. Unfortunately, his type of bladder cancer is quite rare and therefore, very little is actually known about the most efficacious approach to it's treatment. 

 After surgical reduction, it was discovered the bladder cancer was 90% comprised of aggressive small cell, which had metastasized and new tumors were located in his lungs, and both lobes of his liver as well as one lymph node. These tumors are inoperable due to their prevalence and location. So far, Guy has undergone 8 rounds of the most aggressive chemotherapy protocol. Each round has been met with significant health setbacks. While the chemotherapy drugs are effectively reducing the small cell cancer, they have been less effective on the original bladder cancer. As a result, he has now begun radiation therapy as well. The chemotherapy also destroys both his red and white blood cells. Consequently, he requires a transfusion and ten days of self-administered injections, which cause severe bone pain, during each three-week cycle of chemotherapy. In May, he developed shingles as a result of his suppressed immune system. Guy was then admitted to the hospital for 2 weeks during August for acute renal injury, a side effect from the toxicity of the chemotherapy drugs. Regardless, he is still determined to fight. In September, he started a different chemotherapy drug which will reduce any additional impact on his now compromised kidneys. His doctors have indicated that he will most likely need to remain on chemotherapy for as long as it continues to be effective.

Guy's cancer cannot be cured. All treatment is intended to prolong his life as long as possible. Once the chemo is no longer effective, he will need to explore alternative treatment options. The only way  to determine what other options exist for Guy is to undergo genomic testing. This test screens for relevant biomarkers that would help match Guy to approved targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and clinical trials. Unfortunately, this test is astronomically expensive, not covered by insurance and can only be administered in the United States.   

 As a result of his treatment and the deterioration of his health, Guy has been unable to work since his diagnosis  in January.  He has extensive medical bills incurred prior to becoming eligible for Canadian medical care and continues to incur additional costs associated with his treatment that are not covered. In addition to these medical expenses, it has become difficult for Guy to pay for his living expenses as he has not been able to work since January.

 For the past ten months, Guy has relied on the generosity and compassion of his closest family and friends, but, he needs your help. We never want Guy to stop fighting because the costs involved are prohibitive. Please consider donating what you can to help him continue to battle this dreadful disease. Your money will go directly to paying medical expenses and requisite testing to enable him to continue seeking all forms of available treatment.

Trust me; this world is a better place with Guy Ashley in it.  Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity. Please share with anyone you think may be able to help; I believe in the magnanimity and humanity of this social network.