Oliver Nome's Brain Cancer Fund
Donation protected
Hello friends. My name is David. I have never done anything like this before but I feel that as a friend I must share my friend’s story and ask for your help. My friend Oliver Nome was first diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiform (GBM), Stage Four terminal cancer in May 2012. He then had a craniotomy surgery to remove a golfball sized malignant tumor from his brain. Post surgery/biopsy in August, he had to start daily radiation and chemo treatments, and then continued heavy IV chemo up until March 2013. His health took a blow but we were hopeful that there would be some amount of recovery and stability to his health. Oliver then switched treatments to a brain cancer specialist at UCSD Moores Cancer Center. There, he began an oral chemo treatment; Temodar, for six months and it seemed to eliminate signs of the malignant tumor and growths. We were extremely happy about his remission.
Oliver got back on his feet! We saw him living life again and sharing time with us. We celebrated his 36th birthday! He was able to setup his booth at Comic Con where he met fans and shared his art. He landed his first comic book job in 2 years with Marvel Comics’ Death of Wolverine,The Logan Legacy #1. I was so excited since I myself, am a huge comic nerd. It was so cool to see his concept for the cover from beginning stages to final piece. Oliver was Oliver again! He was grateful and was living his life to the fullest!
Time has passed on and unfortunately, in June 2014, signs of the tumor returned. At first it was speculated that perhaps it was scar tissue. Oliver had to get an MRI every month to monitor the growth. By November, the growth was large enough to assess and address. Oliver had to go through a SECOND craniotomy. In December 16, 2014, was admitted into surgery and the growth was removed. Just in time for the holidays. His friends and family were grateful but the concern still loomed over our head as to what the growth would tell us about his health.
The new year was rung in and to our dismay, on January 6, 2015 we were informed that the growth was indeed a tumor and his cancer had fully returned. It was decided by his doctor that he would go onto a trial cancer treatment, Zelboraf for at least the next oncoming six months. He would then continue once again onto a Temodar treatment for an additional six months.
We are saddened but HOPEFUL that by doing this: YOU, friends, fans and anyone with compassion or that has found themselves in similar situation can help. Oliver is a freelance artist. He has not been able to work. Which of course means he has no money. This is to help him have money for his medications, daily living items and keep him here.
His chemo treatments and two surgeries,seizures and a stroke have taken a lot out of him and has affected his motor skills. I see the difference in him. He is usually so vibrant and full of life and frankly, I hate seeing that life dwindled in him like this. I feel helpless. So it is with a hopeful heart that I ask for your help with this. Every penny will make a difference. SHARE THIS. SPREAD THE WORD. Help me keep this creative, joyful friend to all of us here so that we can continue to enjoy his art and everything he has left offer.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Oliver here: Hello friends, family, colleagues, fans and strangers, Thanks for taking the time to read this. As most of you know, unfortunately my Brain Cancer has returned and I will start a trial treatment next week, hopefully it goes well, then followed by chemo again for the next year. I am very sad but I’ve been through this before and I’ll fight this again. I’m honestly embarrassed to have to go through this whole fundraising thing again but I have no choice. I have insurance but it doesn’t cover everything and I am currently unemployed and once I start treatment I won’t be able to work a full-time job let alone part time because of the horrible side effects. I will continue to draw and write as much as I can to keep me sane and balanced. The money will go towards my share of costs on medical bills, helping pay rent and utilities and for food and supplements
If you can’t help, I ask you to please at least share this link on your social media, every dollar helps. I’m sorry to have to do this but I won’t be sending art or prints for donations under $200. The last time (as much as I deeply appreciated every donation,no matter how small) I ended up spending thousands for shipping/supplies and fees and my friend Mike and his crew spent hundreds of hours sorting, packing and mailing out everything. Mailing the prints out alone cost more then the $15 donation for them.
The most important thing is for me to stay strong, positive and as stress free as possible. With your love, support and positive vibes I know I can get through this. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU all again soooo much! It means the world to me.
Oliver got back on his feet! We saw him living life again and sharing time with us. We celebrated his 36th birthday! He was able to setup his booth at Comic Con where he met fans and shared his art. He landed his first comic book job in 2 years with Marvel Comics’ Death of Wolverine,The Logan Legacy #1. I was so excited since I myself, am a huge comic nerd. It was so cool to see his concept for the cover from beginning stages to final piece. Oliver was Oliver again! He was grateful and was living his life to the fullest!
Time has passed on and unfortunately, in June 2014, signs of the tumor returned. At first it was speculated that perhaps it was scar tissue. Oliver had to get an MRI every month to monitor the growth. By November, the growth was large enough to assess and address. Oliver had to go through a SECOND craniotomy. In December 16, 2014, was admitted into surgery and the growth was removed. Just in time for the holidays. His friends and family were grateful but the concern still loomed over our head as to what the growth would tell us about his health.
The new year was rung in and to our dismay, on January 6, 2015 we were informed that the growth was indeed a tumor and his cancer had fully returned. It was decided by his doctor that he would go onto a trial cancer treatment, Zelboraf for at least the next oncoming six months. He would then continue once again onto a Temodar treatment for an additional six months.
We are saddened but HOPEFUL that by doing this: YOU, friends, fans and anyone with compassion or that has found themselves in similar situation can help. Oliver is a freelance artist. He has not been able to work. Which of course means he has no money. This is to help him have money for his medications, daily living items and keep him here.
His chemo treatments and two surgeries,seizures and a stroke have taken a lot out of him and has affected his motor skills. I see the difference in him. He is usually so vibrant and full of life and frankly, I hate seeing that life dwindled in him like this. I feel helpless. So it is with a hopeful heart that I ask for your help with this. Every penny will make a difference. SHARE THIS. SPREAD THE WORD. Help me keep this creative, joyful friend to all of us here so that we can continue to enjoy his art and everything he has left offer.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Oliver here: Hello friends, family, colleagues, fans and strangers, Thanks for taking the time to read this. As most of you know, unfortunately my Brain Cancer has returned and I will start a trial treatment next week, hopefully it goes well, then followed by chemo again for the next year. I am very sad but I’ve been through this before and I’ll fight this again. I’m honestly embarrassed to have to go through this whole fundraising thing again but I have no choice. I have insurance but it doesn’t cover everything and I am currently unemployed and once I start treatment I won’t be able to work a full-time job let alone part time because of the horrible side effects. I will continue to draw and write as much as I can to keep me sane and balanced. The money will go towards my share of costs on medical bills, helping pay rent and utilities and for food and supplements
If you can’t help, I ask you to please at least share this link on your social media, every dollar helps. I’m sorry to have to do this but I won’t be sending art or prints for donations under $200. The last time (as much as I deeply appreciated every donation,no matter how small) I ended up spending thousands for shipping/supplies and fees and my friend Mike and his crew spent hundreds of hours sorting, packing and mailing out everything. Mailing the prints out alone cost more then the $15 donation for them.
The most important thing is for me to stay strong, positive and as stress free as possible. With your love, support and positive vibes I know I can get through this. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU all again soooo much! It means the world to me.
Organizer
Oliver Nome
Organizer
San Diego, CA