Support in Dave's Journey

Hi there!

First off, my name is David Sanders, but pretty much every calls me Dave. I grew up all over the world. Was actually born in Nairobi, Kenya. Landed in Cumming, Ga in 2000 when I was in 3rd grade. Went to North Forysth High School. Hooped, played baseball, did the normal high school thing. Went to Shorter College to chase my baseball dreams, but realized that I was not cutout for Major League Baseball so I transferred to UGA. I got my bachelors degree in 2013 in Biology and then went back to get my masters in Nonprofit Management.

After school I start out working for one of Atlanta’s best non-profits, Atlanta Mission. I worked on the fundraising team and had the joy of bridging the gap between the world of highly successful and generous individuals and the homeless of Atlanta. I learned so much from both sets of individuals. Then I moved over to 410 Bridge and shifted to more of an operations role focusing on the work we do in East Africa, Haiti, and Guatemala.

About 3 years ago I started noticing some changes in my body. Doctors thought it was a hormone imbalance caused by stress + an car accident. The next two years set me on a course of the strangest / worst health I’ve ever had. It started with a bizarre thirst that would later be diagnosed as diabetes insipidous. My body crashed and fatigue became the reality of life. Mood, hunger, immune system, mental ability… everything slowly changed.

It wasn’t until finally in May 2018 that someone had an answer for me. It wasn’t the answer I wanted but at least at this point is was an answer. I was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histocytosis. It’s a rare form of cancer that primarily affects kids under the age of 2. The scarcity of the disease, especially in adults, allowed the diagnosis to be evasive for 2 plus years.

My search for a specialist led me to Emory where I found one of the few oncologists in the country with experience in this disease. My first round of scans showed cancer in my pituitary gland, chest/lungs, lymph nodes, arms, and thyroid. With a 12 month treatment plan ahead of me, I started right away in August of 2018.

Treatment has been a roller coaster ride. There are moments of optimism and hope, and there are moments of depression and dread. The 8 months that followed the start of treatment were filled with equal amounts of both. Scans would show moderate improvement and my heart would soar. 6 trips to the ER and months of the flu have forced me to learn how to manage highs and lows.

Romans 5:3-5 is the epitome of the past several years. “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.” The battle against cancer has without question fortified my resilience, my character, and my hope in Jesus. And know that I do not say these words lightly. Any time I sit and reflect on this season of life I am overwhelmed by the privilege I have had to experience growth is such a unique way.

These learnings would be tested but not overcome in February of 2019. Scans showed that cancer was spreading in my brain and in my body. The news rocked me. I was forced to wrestle with hard realities of the disease. We quickly made the shift to a more aggressive form of chemo. The first time through absolutely kicked my butt - I ended getting admitted to the hospital for about a week following treatment.

When I was finally able to walk out of the hospital, my mind had also made a shift. It was time to take a full attack to my cancer. I consulted with nutritionist and functional doctor to broaden my horizons and began assimilating a wholistic health care plan - diet, lifestyle, supplements, and more. As I have started to implement these practices, the quality of my life has improved tremendously.

My current chemo treatment plan will run through August. I am highly optimistic that I will be cancer free by then and I will be able to close the 3 year journey against cancer.

I hope you will join me on this journey as I strive to beat cancer and rebuild my life.
 
Here is why I am raising money:

I believe I can beat cancer in the next 6 months. I am raising money to support the things that insurance will not cover. 6 months worth of these things is about $13,000. Will you help me beat cancer once and for all?

Next 6 months 
·     Seeing a Functional Medicine doctor
·     Seeing a nutritionist
·     Juicing, nutrition, and supplements
·     IV treatments
·     Hyperbaric oxygen chambers

Beating cancer is goal number 1. I am also raising an additional $22,000 in an effort for my body to regain full functionality beyond the elimination of cancer and also get back on solid ground financially after 3 years of medical expenses. 

Beyond Cancer - $8,000
·     Functional medicine doctor
·     Endocrinologist, Urologist - recover the loss of hormone function in my pituitary and thyroid glands
·     IV treatments and supplements 
·     Diet, nutrition, healthy lifestyle

Getting back on solid ground - $14,000
·     3 years worth of doctors bills
·     6 trips to the ER
·     7 cycles of chemo
·     2 months of fighting the flu
·     4 PET Scans, 10 Brain MRIs
·     Misdiagnosed Surgery
·     Medications and supplies

I would be forever grateful for any support you are able to provide. I have learned that facing challenges in this life is impossible with a community behind me. So whether your support is financial, relational, or through prayer, my heart is full knowing that you are in my corner.
 
Please consider supporting me in these ways:
·     Continue to pray for complete healing and strength in this process
·     Follow along with David at journeywithdave.com
·     Donate here, through the gofundme
·     Send a check to David Sanders, 6435 Brittney Ln. Cumming, GA 30040