Hearts for Duane

On December 20 Duane Smoyer (49), went to the ER suffering with severe headaches to be treated for what he thought was a sinus infection. Tests revealed stage 4 melanoma which had metastasized to his brain and abdomen. He began radiation on his brain and spine to shrink the lesions and reduce the headaches. This involved many weeks in an out of the hospital at University of Michigan.

Karen took a leave of absence from her teaching position at Eastwood High School to care for him full time. Ryan (23) resigned his coaching/operations job at Ohio University to return home to be with Duane, Karen and Hannah (15). Hannah is a sophomore at Ostego High School. Morgan (20) returned as well and is now attending Bowling Green State University. Family friends from their hometown of Bowling Green, Ohio surrounded them, generously providing meals and other care, and organized a fundraiser including silent auction to defray costs. 

Duane is currently completing chemotherapy and is scheduled to begin immunotherapy. He has suffered a setback and currently is in the hospital at University of Michigan.

Meanwhile the medical bills mount, and Karen must go back to work in the fall. Duane cannot be left alone and needs full time care. We are a part of the Smoyer's baseball family through Ryan and Notre Dame. Many of you remember Ryan as a standout pitcher at Notre Dame and in summer ball in the Northwoods and Cape Cod Leagues. We have begun this page to help relieve the financial burden this devastating disease has placed on the Smoyer family so that they can better focus on the care Duane needs and enjoy their time together.

A bright spot in Duane's recovery was a visit this past weekend to Notre Dame. The whole family was able to attend Senior Day at Notre Dame Baseball's Eck stadium where they watched Notre Dame beat Pitt in the comfort of the new Murphy Family Team Room.

Help us support the Smoyer's and attain our fundraising goal!