Help Dave Kick Cancer's A$$

David Simon has a way of making you feel like family. His warm smile, his wit, his willingness to help anyone- these traits that win you over immediately. Everyone that has the pleasure of knowing or working with Dave absolutely loves him, and for good reason. He is truly a gem. We are all so lucky to be in his circle.

On December 23, 2022, Dave was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer that has also spread to his liver and both of his lungs. Dave is feeling optimistic and knowing him, you know his humor is helping him through the current situation. He is trying to stay positive, but the truth is that the odds are extremely slim and not in his favor. Dave has started immunotherapy and after his second round of infusions, is feeling tired and mentally foggy, but is still upbeat.

Dave is still working when possible and plans to continue as long as he can. But anyone who has worked in the service industry knows how absolutely brutal a bartending shift can be, how physically and mentally exhausting it is. Obviously, he cannot continue working at full steam while going through immunotherapy and attempting to fight this extremely advanced disease. But bills have already started to arrive despite his health insurance, and they will only continue to pile up from here. As he will likely continue to cut back from work, this represents extreme financial hardship.

Dave is insisting that he will “Magic Johnson the sh*t out of cancer.” If anyone could, it’s Dave! That’s for sure. But the reality is that Magic Johnson has a ton of resources- broad support and financial means. So, that’s where we show up, friends. WE can help him have a Magic Johnson moment. We can show up with our physical support. Calling and sending letters and rallying around him- all of these things help. But we really need to show up with our donations. Financial support would mean that Dave could focus on his cancer fight, without worrying about leaving his beautiful wife, Jamie, with a mountain of debt. It could help pay their mortgage and keep them in their home or with day to day bills when he is unable to continue to work as normal. Living in the United States, we know how disgustingly expensive medical care is, even in the best of circumstances. What Dave is up against is not a small thing. It will require everything we can throw at it.

Please, please give today. Right now. Whatever you can. It will make a huge difference to Dave & Jamie. And then please share this campaign everywhere- Facebook, Instagram, through emails and texts. Let’s show up for Dave the way he has always shown up for all of us- with humor and love and hope.

-The David Simon Appreciation Squad