Help Christopher Beat Throat Cancer

I am writing this urgent appeal on behalf of my long-time and dear friend, Christopher White, his wife Heidi Dorr, their twenty-year-old Shadow Dorr-White, and Ellis Bell, their rescue dog.

Christopher was recently diagnosed with Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cancer). The original tumor (at the base of the tongue) has metastasized to the lymph nodes in the neck. Christopher has never smoked, but this type of cancer (HPV+) appears more frequently. The cancer was finally diagnosed (after an initial misdiagnosis) in March after numerous MRIs/CTs. The one ray of light here is that a PET scan showed there is most likely no cancer in his organs.

Over the past couple of months, he and Heidi have been to many doctors at several medical centers to figure out all they can about this type of cancer, the treatment options, estimates of life expectancy, side-effects of treatments, and the most experienced physicians for treatment.

After considering all the options, Christopher (with Heidi there every step of the way) has decided to have throat/neck cancer surgery on May 11th at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center to remove the tumors. The surgery includes a cervical lymphadenectomy (modified radical neck dissection) and will be extensive: 30+ lymph nodes will be removed from Christopher’s neck alone. The recovery time afterward is expected to be at least four months.

Christopher is taking a proactive approach to this devastating illness and is battling it with every tool at his disposal. He suffers from severe fatigue, pain, weakness, and difficulty speaking. He is keeping a positive mindset and gathers strength from the love and support of Heidi, Shadow, Ellis, and his good friends near and far. I have no doubt that he will survive this and have many productive years ahead of him.

Please give what you can to help Christopher and his family at this difficult, life-changing time.

I (and they) would be very grateful. Thank you.