Keith Fessler Fight Against Colon Cancer

Dear New Palestine community and friends of the Fesslers. 

One of the things I love about New Palestine, is when one of us has a hurt or a need, it’s always met with an abundance of support and care! I have watched it so many times!

It’s time for our community to rise up again. Mr. Fessler, NPJH principal (and NPHS previous 13 year principal) has been fighting Colon Cancer for 2 years.   His journey began with nearly 19 full months of chemotherapy beginning in November of 2019.  In June of this year he was told the chemo had done all it could do and that the cancer was still there.  It was time to take a new direction. In July, Mr. Fessler joined a clinical trial in Tennessee as the “First Human” to ever try this particular cancer killing treatment. It brought new hope and a plan to the family and his journey.  We even have affectionately taken to calling him “First Human” around the halls and office of NPJH.  On Tuesday September 21st however,  they received news that changes in the cancer disqualify him from continuing in the treatment. 

As you can imagine, Keith, his wife Annemarie, and their 3 boys are disappointed and sad to now restart the search for a new trial and opportunity to help Keith fight cancer.  

Here is where our community comes in. The family has talked for the last 2 years about taking a trip when “Keith rings the bell” and is cancer free.  We got wind of that, and think now is the time to take the trip.  The family could use some time away, alone and focused on a super fun time away from treatments, school, and work.  Medical bills have made travel take a back burner priority for the family and we want to make this dream a reality by rallying together as a community. 

For 2 weeks, beginning today, we want to collect money for the family. On Wednesday, October 6th, we will have a BLUE OUT game at our final NPJH football game of the season. The game will be played on the New Palestine High School turf field.  We want a sea of blue. NPJH Student Council will sell Fessler Fight shirts beginning this week for the kids to purchase and wear.  We will have some other opportunities to contribute to the trip fund,  and overall we will bring light to the fight Mr. Fessler is facing.  

Keith and Annemarie had plans to honeymoon in Mexico years ago.  A hurricane hit the resort they planned to stay at changing their plans.  It’s been a family joke with their boys that they someday will get back to Mexico for that trip.  We hope we can make this dream, or another one of their choice, a reality for the Fesslers. $5, $10, $20 from lots of families will add up and make this a possibility for someone who has served our community so well! Our goal is to raise $5000.00. Thanks for joining the team of fighters!! #Fesslerfight #togetherwefight

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