Support Patrick's Fight Against Cancer

Weeks back, my sweet little cousin, Patrick, began to complain of headaches. He’s an incredibly active kid so his parents assumed the headaches were caused by dehydration and their on-the-go lifestyle. They treated his headaches with Tylenol and thought nothing else of it, until they traveled to Iowa, where he played a baseball tournament. On the way home, he began to cry from the pain he was in.

On July 24, his mother, noticed some facial drooping while taking a picture of him. This prompted his parents to take him to the ER. There, the doctor confirmed he was suffering from partial facial paralysis, as a side effect of an ear infection, and instructed them to see ENT.

On July 29, Patrick’s doctor ordered an MRI and did surgery to put a tube in. The MRI revealed a mass behind the ear and more testing was ordered. The next day, a second physician did a craniotomy to biopsy where the mass was determined to be a tumor. That biopsy was sent to a clinic in Cleveland.

By August 12, Patrick was back in the ER, as the pain became unmanageable. The hospital did more imaging and admitted him to control pain. It was at that time, they discovered the biopsy results were back and were given the heartbreaking news that Patrick was diagnosed with cancer.

Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma.

On August 13, Patrick had a port placed, a PET scan, a bone marrow biopsy, and started medicine to treat the cancer.

On August 14, Patrick’s chemo began.

Regardless of the results of that biopsy, we believe in the power of prayer, while acknowledging there is a rough road ahead to get Patrick back to his typical 11-year-old boy activities.

I’m creating this GoFundMe because medical expenses have already begun piling up, as to be expected during unprecedented times. Furthermore, his parents, Patrick Sr. and Mary, strive to spend as much time bedside their ailing child as physically possible, as any loving parent would do. However, the numerous doctors appointments and nights spent in the hospital are starting to add up, leading to lost wages from missed days at work.

We are asking that if you are in the financial situation to support this family during their time of need, please donate. This family has always been generous to others during times of prosperity and now we are asking the community to reciprocate the generosity they have shown others. Please consider what you would need if you were in their shoes– if this was your son, your brother, your loved one.

Most importantly, please continue to pray for Patrick as he continues his journey to recover!

Note: The beneficiary on the account, Judy Knasiak, is Patrick's maternal grandmother and has set up and is helping to manage the funds for the family during this time.