Pete’s Battle With Colon Cancer

I am writing today with a heavy heart to ask for support for my best friend, and her husband during the most turbulent time in their life. Pete and Alicia vermeulen have been amongst my dearest of friends coming up on 10 years. They are amazing parents to Colton, who just turned 4, and Pete is getting ready to celebrate his 40th birthday very soon! If you aren’t aware, Pete has recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon metastatic cancer. He was experiencing severe abdominal pain for several weeks before finally going to get checked out. A large tumor was found on his colon, and he was scheduled for surgery right away. After the surgery, the pathology report came back that in addition to the tumor on his colon there were also several more throughout his abdomen, and on the outside of his heart. Pete was referred to the Cleveland clinic for a team of specialists to help come up with an appropriate treatment plan. After visiting the Cleveland clinic, there is no denying this is going to be a long, emotionally and financially draining journey. Pete’s type of cancer is an aggressive, fast moving cancer that is going to require numerous chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, and years of unemployment for Pete. Alicia is an amazing hairdresser and had been running her own business for years, and unfortunately this has caused her business to slow significantly as she is unable to work many hours. She is still a mother to Colton, and now a care taker to get her husband through this time of uncertain outcome. Pete will be out of work until further notice, and risks losing health insurance for the entire family that is supplied through his employment. If you know Alicia and Pete, then you know they are the type of people that would give you the shirt off their back, and they are the most undeserving of families. They have just recently purchased their first home, we’re planning for a new baby(which unfortuately recently resulted in a miscarriage probably due to all the stress), and we’re living your typical American dream. This hardship has set them back for life. Without being able to afford copays and the insanely priced cobra health insurance they are at risk for losing everything. Please, I ask if you are able to spare anything, or have information on programs designed to help with the incredible financial burden of these situations, please bless this family so dear to my heart. They have picked me up from my darkest hours, and they do not deserve this. Pete, I know you are strong and you are going to make it through this. You have an army behind you, buddy. Thank you all so much for reading this, and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Kirstyn