Help the Spaw Family in Their Time of Need

Hello everyone, I’m Amber Peralez (Spaw).

The purpose of this GoFundMe is to reach out for help and support for my dad!

Back in November 2024, my dad, Darwin J. Spaw, started noticing a sore in his mouth that kept getting bigger, making it hard to eat and swallow. When the sore wouldn’t go away, he got concerned. It wasn’t until about a month ago that he was able to be seen by a doctor. After being observed and some testing, they confirmed it was Stage 3 mouth cancer. The doctor said the tumors are in his bottom jaw and into his bone. The cancer is also in both lymph nodes. As far as they can see, it hasn’t spread anywhere else! Praise the Lord!!!

We aren’t sure of a date yet, but SOON and more likely closer to the end of April, he will be undergoing major surgery. The surgery he is undergoing is called Mandibulectomy and Free Flap Reconstruction. This is where they remove part of the jaw and reconstruct it from a donor site in his body. They have decided to go with part of his fibula!

So with that being said, with him having such a major surgery and having a lengthy healing process, he will be off of work for at least a couple of months (praying not much more). After this hard process, he will then have to do some radiation. We are hopeful and keeping our faith that God will put his loving hands on all those doctors and nurses to do and perform to the best of their knowledge. Only He knows the plans for us; He knows what’s best!!!

My dad works two jobs; he’s ALWAYS been a hard-working man. I guess you could say he’s a workaholic lol. He just always has stayed busy. I told him I really don’t know how he does it. Between working as a welder and at the auto shop, and on his own vehicles, he’s a busy guy! He’s pretty smart when it comes to cars. Unfortunately, I didn’t get that trait from him lol. He just loves it, and I think it’s his hobby!

My dad has had MANY broken bones and surgeries, but this is gonna be a hard one for him. He’s the type that can’t just sit around and do nothing for days upon days. The one thing I love about my dad is his love and dedication for his family, the fact he will do whatever it takes to provide and protect the ones he loves. He would give the shirt off his back for a stranger, always giving a lending hand if he’s able. And if he can’t do it, well, that’s not an option... he figures it out!!!

So now it comes to this, and he’s in desperate need. And that’s what I’m trying to do, is help him like he helps everyone else! With him working two jobs and his wife Jennifer working one, they are able to make ends meet and more. This is gonna put a damper on things majorly. It’s gonna be hard with only one income, which is bare minimum from what they are used to. Their mortgage is pretty high, and that in itself is gonna hurt them; and that’s not even the half of it: utilities, phones, insurance, food, gas, essentials, and the list goes on!!

With the surgery being in Indianapolis, Indiana, and them living in Rome City, Indiana, his wife Jennifer is gonna have to drive and get a hotel for at least a week while they get him up and moving and healing to the point he can go home. She’s gonna wanna be there, and he’s gonna need the support. She will also need gas to get there, food for the hotel, and probably need food when she’s not at the hotel, which will be a majority of the time. And that’s not even leaving food at their house clear in Rome City and whatever essentials they may need. And the list goes on. So I’m asking you today from the bottom of my heart to find it in your heart to help me help them! Even a few dollars to get her a sandwich or buy her girls something to leave at home. Donations for essentials for their home. Anything and every little or big gesture would help tremendously. Even with that being said, it doesn’t have to be money, PRAYER, we all know the POWER of prayer!!! And right now we NEED ALL WE CAN GET!!!! And that’s the MOST important thing!!!

What also would help support them would be to share this link to all your family and friends. The more prayers and any other gesture would be very grateful!!

I will keep this updated as much as possible so everyone knows when and what’s happening. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to message me. I wanna thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read this. Me and my family appreciate and are blessed beyond words.

God Bless you, Amber Peralez