Former Olympian with CANCER needs to finish race

In August 2019 Sven Habermann was diagnosed with a non curable cancer,  Mantle Cell Lymphoma.  After a bone  marrow biopsy, CT scan and multiple other tests it was determined to be stage 4.  The cancer had spread to most Lymph nodes,  spleen, GI track, colon, and bowel.  The prognosis was not good as the pathology report came back as a very aggressive form.

Sven started a 6 month chemotherapy protocol.  After treatment a period of time was required to allow the targeted bone marrow to heal and recover in preparation for a stem cell transplant in June.  On June 11th Sven was admitted to Vancouver General Hospital for another 14 rounds of heavy dose chemotherapy over a 6 day period.  Once the bone marrow was killed off new stem cells where implanted June 18th.  The hospital stay was approximately 3 weeks.   After 6 weeks Sven had all tests repeated and against odds achieved complete remission.   He will receive  IV infusions every 3 months for two years of a drug called Retuximab.  The cancer will not go away forever.  The median overall survival rate after this treatment is 5 years, although some patients have achieved  15-20 years extended life span.

Sven has not been able to work since October of last year.  Unfortunately being self employed he did not qualify for any insurance.    He has been informed by his transplant team that he can not go back to work until January 2021 because of a weakened immune system. 

The funds raised would go to all expenses that Sven has incurred in these difficult times, as well as future financial obligations until Sven is able to return to  work in January.  He is recovering well but desperately needs assistance until then.