Help Steven Fight Cancer

I know that it was not long ago that I asked for help in raising money to get Steven Taylor a vehicle after his last car was stolen. And it was thanks to your support that he was able to purchase his new car, Petunia. But even before we could begin writing the thank you letters Steven’s life was once again turned upside down.

It was at the end of June that Steven went to see the doctor at Antioch Campus for a lump on the left side of his neck that had been growing in size. The doctor recommended that he get a CT scan and after the results came in he wanted to talk to us immediately. It was inconclusive, but the mass was approaching Steven’s airway and larger in size than we had anticipated. The next step was a lymph node biopsy. Steven remained hopeful that afterward he would be off on his adventure to Pennsylvania for his fourth and final co-op, but I feared the worst.

The results came in and it was revealed the he had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. While one of the most treatable cancers out there, Steven’s dream of going to Pennsylvania was shattered. After a PET scan his oncologist determined that he would need 6 months, a total of 12 rounds, of combined chemotherapy. This was never the way he imagined he would begin his senior year at Antioch College.

Before his first treatment, Steven went through his second surgery and received a medical infusion port in which his chemotherapy drugs would be administered. He has to have his blood drawn for a complete blood count (CBC) every Tuesday, and every other Wednesday he receives chemotherapy. Steven never thought he would spend so much time in a hospital.

Currently, he has received his first 3 rounds of chemotherapy and while he was hopeful that it would give him superpowers that has not been the case so far. With tufts of hair falling out he decided to shave his head. Members of his support system were there and went bald with him.


Now that he is about to begin his fourth treatment, the medical bills have started to come in. The payments for his previous scans, surgeries, chemotherapy, and side effect management drugs are piling up quickly. And while Steven fights cancer, medical bills should be the last thing on his mind. 

I have watched my best friend become a warrior. Even while he is going through his treatments, Steven has maintained an upbeat attitude. He continues to work at the Wellness Center and Antioch kitchens. He is taking a history class on campus, plays volleyball as captain of Team Orange, and remains a steady EMT at the Miami Township Fire Rescue.


It takes a community to fight cancer and I know that we can be the support system that Steven needs during these hard times.

Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated. There will also be events held in Steven’s honor to raise additional awareness and funds for his medical bills look for these in the updates. The first one will be a 5k color run set for September 4 at 9 am.

Please join Steven in his fight against cancer.

Thank you so much,

Melissa Rudie