Help The Kline Family

Robert Kline plans to donate his brain to science.

Nobody who knows him is surprised that his final act will be giving a part of himself so that others might benefit.

Bob was diagnosed with brain cancer a little over a year ago, and it looks like he’ll be giving that final gift a lot sooner than he’d hoped.

Bob has a huge heart. He spent 40 years working hard for his community as a case manager for adolescent youth. Tracy, his wife of 28 years, has a heart just as big as her husband’s. She has spent most of her adult life working as a social worker, fighting to make a difference in the lives of real people.

Bob and Tracy are both incredibly outgoing and choke-on-your-drink funny. They make friends wherever they go. They share a deep love for travel and the outdoors, and together, they raised two whip-smart kids. Emma and Tony learned from example to work hard and to care deeply.

Now it’s our turn to give back to the Kline family.

In November of 2022, Bob collapsed at home. Tracy found him on the floor, non-responsive. He was rushed to the hospital where they discovered that a tumor in his brain had caused a seizure. It would need to be removed immediately.

A week later, Bob had the mass removed in a high-risk surgery. The diagnosis: Glioblastoma Multiforme.

The oncologist told the family the cancer was extremely aggressive, and although the surgery had been successful, new tumors would almost certainly begin to grow.

The doctor thought Bob might live for another three years.

It looks like he isn’t going to get those three years.

Bob was treated with radiation and chemotherapy. He participated in three clinical trials. Nothing helped. Scans showed new tumors.

It’s been 14 months. Now, his doctor says he might get another seven months. Or five. Or three.

So, the family is making the most of the moments that matter. Tracy is by Bob’s side day and night. She is able to work remotely, so she is holding down a full-time job, while taking care of Bob’s ever-increasing needs.

Emma and Tony are spending time with their dad and helping where they can, but they’ll never be ready to say goodbye.

The stress this family is facing is beyond what most of us can imagine, and to add insult to injury, hospital bills are piling up.

In a little over a year, Bob has needed:

1 brain surgery

16 MRI's

6 CT scans

30 radiation sessions

10 rounds of chemotherapy medicine

2 non-covered ambulance rides

Physical therapy

Occupational therapy

Speech therapy, and

Adaptive equipment

He has spent:

21 days in the hospital and

7 days in a rehabilitation facility

He has participated in 3 clinical trials.

Bob has medical insurance, but the deductibles and copays are adding up, and the insurance company has denied many claims. His life insurance will cover the cost of his burial, but nothing more.

Let’s do what we can to help this family through the most difficult time they’ve ever faced. Please give whatever you can to help the Kline family pay for the medical care Bob has received.