Help Grant Fight Cancer

https://www.facebook.com/groups/190368796409671/?ref=share

Hi, my name is Blake and I started this GoFundMe for my brother Grant and his family through this extremely difficult time as he fights for his life against cancer. In July of 2021, Grant and his wife Jenni, and their 2 boys (6 and 8 years old) were on a ride at an Amusement Park. In the middle of one of the rides, Grant fractured his T9 vertebrae on his spine, which was shocking and the doctors knew something was wrong.

 

10 days after the ER visit, Grant noticed something particularly worrisome on his chart from the Radiology department at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, “possible tumor, possible malignancy.” They were told to contact their primary care physician and the onslaught of tests began, including bone scans, bone marrow biopsy’s, CT’s, MRI’s, and blood work.

 

Grant was diagnosed with an incurable, but treatable, cancer called Light Chain Multiple Myeloma. Myeloma is a blood cancer of the plasma cells. Approximately 80% of his plasma cells are cancerous. The oncology team at the VA is planning to start 4-6 months of chemo on 9/15/21. If the chemo can kill the majority of the cancer cells and get them down to <5%, he will be able to participate in stem cell transplants into his bone marrow. This process would take approximately 3 months and would be done in Nashville. Grant will be in the hospital for a minimum of a month during the transplant and recovering at home for 2-3 months following the transplant if it’s successful. The oncologist is optimistic that he can get the cancer into remission with aggressive treatment. Grant will most likely have to go through several cycles of chemo off and on and will always remain on a “maintenance” dose of medicine to keep the cancer away.

Myeloma accounts for approximately 1% of all cancer diagnoses, and less than 1% are in people younger than 50 years old. At 34, Grant is one of the youngest patients they will be treating. The good news is that because he is young, he has a great chance at fighting this cancer as hard as possible. The VA thinks there may have been exposure to carcinogens during his time served in the Marine Corps but have not yet found a link.

 

The last month has been terrifying for all of us that love and cherish Grant, Jenni, Ryan, and Jake. There has been an overwhelming response from friends and family asking how they can help so we set up this GoFundMe account to help cover the financial burden this journey brings. The money raised will go straight to Jenni, Grant's wife, to help cover medical costs, meal plans, transportation, child care, and everyday expenses that continue to accumulate while Grant and his wife are off work. Grant has been slowly recovering from his broken back while Jenni has been taking care of him and the boys. September 15th is the date that Grant will start the cancer treatments and all the love, support, and prayers are greatly appreciated.

 

Please feel free to share this on your personal social media pages and accounts. Thank you for your support during this scary and difficult time.