Extremely rare cancer recovery fund for Shawn
Donation protected
The purpose of this fundraiser is to help support medical costs and expenses included for Shawn Beard's treatment. If you have met Shawn, you know his instinct is to be private in his struggles but has the awareness of sharing his journey with others on similar paths holds a greater purpose.
Stage IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma Maxillary Sinus Cancer
Over Christmas Shawn was diagnosed and admitted to UCSF for chemotherapy and treatment for Stage IV cancer, after going to the doctor thinking he had a sinus infection. After given the news of this very rare aggressive cancer (less than 2,000 people per year in the US, >1%) the world seemingly stopped and Shawn was whisked into intensive and urgent treatment to save his life. After the tumor was not responding to chemotherapy, his only option for survival was to undergo a full matxillectomy osteotomies.
Procedure
Shawns maxillectomy procedure lasted over 18+ hours, during this time the team of surgeons removed everything from the orbital bone nose, palate, teeth, sinus, eye, optic nerve, and cheek bone on his right side. The skilled team of reconstructive surgeons were able to harvest other bones, muscle, skin and tissue from other areas of the body to rebuild; but devastating disfigurement becomes an additional mental hurdle. There are many, many more reconstructive surgeries, therapies and treatments in his future in order to preserve quality of life.
Outlook
Six months ago, we could have never imagined someone of Shawns health going through a traumatic experience like this. Shawn has always been extremely driven for as long as anyone has known him. Shawn and his wife, Esther, own a successful local Locksmith company in the East Bay Area, which has been temporarily halted due to Shawn's treatment.
During this time, he is going through the final stages of treatment. Considering he has already been through the most heart wrenching of circumstances throughout the initial and surgical process; his battle has been tireless and ongoing, but there is definitely a light at the end encouraging him to keep pushing on. The tons of expenses with unforgiving health insurance companies has all taken a toll.
Ask
Our goal with this fundraiser is to help bring awareness to this rare cancer and the current struggle Shawn is enduring to light for all of our friends and family. Please help us during this difficult time in any way possible. Keeping Shawn in your thoughts and prayers is what truly means the most and sharing this Gofundme if you are unable to donate. He is holding close to faith and weekly live streams of church service from Fellowship Church. If there is any other ways you would like to show support, please post your encouraging messages below! Anything fundraised in excess will be donated to UCSF cancer research.
Thank you for taking the time to review this, and from my family to yours, GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
Stage IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma Maxillary Sinus Cancer
Over Christmas Shawn was diagnosed and admitted to UCSF for chemotherapy and treatment for Stage IV cancer, after going to the doctor thinking he had a sinus infection. After given the news of this very rare aggressive cancer (less than 2,000 people per year in the US, >1%) the world seemingly stopped and Shawn was whisked into intensive and urgent treatment to save his life. After the tumor was not responding to chemotherapy, his only option for survival was to undergo a full matxillectomy osteotomies.
Procedure
Shawns maxillectomy procedure lasted over 18+ hours, during this time the team of surgeons removed everything from the orbital bone nose, palate, teeth, sinus, eye, optic nerve, and cheek bone on his right side. The skilled team of reconstructive surgeons were able to harvest other bones, muscle, skin and tissue from other areas of the body to rebuild; but devastating disfigurement becomes an additional mental hurdle. There are many, many more reconstructive surgeries, therapies and treatments in his future in order to preserve quality of life.
Outlook
Six months ago, we could have never imagined someone of Shawns health going through a traumatic experience like this. Shawn has always been extremely driven for as long as anyone has known him. Shawn and his wife, Esther, own a successful local Locksmith company in the East Bay Area, which has been temporarily halted due to Shawn's treatment.
During this time, he is going through the final stages of treatment. Considering he has already been through the most heart wrenching of circumstances throughout the initial and surgical process; his battle has been tireless and ongoing, but there is definitely a light at the end encouraging him to keep pushing on. The tons of expenses with unforgiving health insurance companies has all taken a toll.
Ask
Our goal with this fundraiser is to help bring awareness to this rare cancer and the current struggle Shawn is enduring to light for all of our friends and family. Please help us during this difficult time in any way possible. Keeping Shawn in your thoughts and prayers is what truly means the most and sharing this Gofundme if you are unable to donate. He is holding close to faith and weekly live streams of church service from Fellowship Church. If there is any other ways you would like to show support, please post your encouraging messages below! Anything fundraised in excess will be donated to UCSF cancer research.
Thank you for taking the time to review this, and from my family to yours, GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Dom Pedrelli
Organizer
Discovery Bay, CA
Austine Pedrelli
Beneficiary