Austin's Army: Never Leave Your Wing Man
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Join Austin’s Army Fight Against Cancer!
“Never Leave Your Wing Man”
On January 7, 2021, the Popelka families lives were turned upside down. Their adorable middle son, 4 year-old Austin, was beginning to experience some abdominal pain. Dawn took Austin to be evaluated by his doctor, who quickly sent Austin to the ER for imaging. This is where they discovered a softball sized mass coming from his left kidney that appeared to be going slightly into his lungs. Austin was immediately transferred by ambulance to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital for surgery and treatment. After surgery to remove the tumor and his left kidney, Austin was diagnosed with a favorable histology Wilms Tumor, which is stage 4 due to the spread to his lungs, and stage 3 in his abdomen. Austin has received 2 rounds of radiation and is on a 33 week plan for chemotherapy. Recently, the Popelka’s received news that Austin’s tumor had some adverse-risk genomic factors. This has changed Austin’s treatment plan to include 5+ inpatient hospital stays and a more intense treatment plan. Austin is currently hospitalized due to possible pneumonia and a ANC of .01.
Even with insurance, the Popelka’s are facing tremendous out of pocket expenses including deductibles, missed work, travel back and forth between Iowa City and all the other expenditures that come with a complicated medical diagnosis.
Kris and Dawn have not asked for help but I join a host of family, friends, and others in our joint effort to show our love and support for this incredible family. Dawn, Kris, Ivan, Austin, and Elsie are integral members of our beloved eastern Iowa farm community and it is our goal to support them in any way that we can to make this cancer battle a little easier.
Note: This campaign was set up by Kristin Naeve with assistance from their family and friends. All funds raised by this campaign are gifts that will go directly to the Popelka family. Kris Popelka will be the sole beneficiary of this fundraiser of donations to use at his own discretion towards the family needs.
“Never Leave Your Wing Man”
On January 7, 2021, the Popelka families lives were turned upside down. Their adorable middle son, 4 year-old Austin, was beginning to experience some abdominal pain. Dawn took Austin to be evaluated by his doctor, who quickly sent Austin to the ER for imaging. This is where they discovered a softball sized mass coming from his left kidney that appeared to be going slightly into his lungs. Austin was immediately transferred by ambulance to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital for surgery and treatment. After surgery to remove the tumor and his left kidney, Austin was diagnosed with a favorable histology Wilms Tumor, which is stage 4 due to the spread to his lungs, and stage 3 in his abdomen. Austin has received 2 rounds of radiation and is on a 33 week plan for chemotherapy. Recently, the Popelka’s received news that Austin’s tumor had some adverse-risk genomic factors. This has changed Austin’s treatment plan to include 5+ inpatient hospital stays and a more intense treatment plan. Austin is currently hospitalized due to possible pneumonia and a ANC of .01.
Even with insurance, the Popelka’s are facing tremendous out of pocket expenses including deductibles, missed work, travel back and forth between Iowa City and all the other expenditures that come with a complicated medical diagnosis.
Kris and Dawn have not asked for help but I join a host of family, friends, and others in our joint effort to show our love and support for this incredible family. Dawn, Kris, Ivan, Austin, and Elsie are integral members of our beloved eastern Iowa farm community and it is our goal to support them in any way that we can to make this cancer battle a little easier.
Note: This campaign was set up by Kristin Naeve with assistance from their family and friends. All funds raised by this campaign are gifts that will go directly to the Popelka family. Kris Popelka will be the sole beneficiary of this fundraiser of donations to use at his own discretion towards the family needs.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kristin Naeve
Organizer
Clinton, IA
Kris Popelka
Beneficiary