Stand With John in His Fight Against Cancer

Hi Everyone! Our names are Kristen Hvidsten, DeAnn Weiland and Ron Ellefson. Our sister's (Kelsey Ellefson) husband, John Dannenberg, has recently been diagnosed with Grade 3 Follicular Lymphoma with multiple lymph nodes involved which mutated into Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma involving multiple nodes and bone.

Together, John and Kelsey have three children: Brady (8), Callen (5), and Adalyn (3).

John is the most honest, kindest, friendliest and down-to-earth person you will ever meet. At any given time, both he and Kelsey would give you the shirts off of their backs in order to help someone. More than once, they have shuffled kids, rearranged their schedules, single parented while one spouse was gone to accommodate someone else's needs. Now, they need us! So, if you feel inclined to make a donation, any amount would be so helpful and beyond appreciated! All funds raised will go directly to John and Kelsey to support their family's basic needs, help supplement the income lost due to John's inability to work and to also help with medical expenses. Also, we ask that each of you please keep them in your thoughts and prayers! Their journey, thus far, is below...

On Monday April 29th while John was working in Grand Forks, ND he called Kelsey and told her he was experiencing significant abdominal pain. John drove to Altru's ER where he was given pain medication and had a CT scan done. When Kelsey and the kids arrived from Fargo, the doctor took them to a family room to break the news that what was found was a very large abdominal mass concerning for lymphoma. John was discharged and instructed to follow up with Oncology.

On Tuesday April 30th, John's pain was back and he was vomiting to the point where he couldn't even hold down sips of water. Kelsey then took him to Sanford's ER in Fargo. John was then transported and admitted to the downtown Sanford Oncology Unit. There, further imaging of his chest showed additional concerning lymph nodes which pointed towards a diagnosis of lymphoma. A biopsy was done on Wednesday May 1st, with the results confirming those suspicions. The abdominal mass actually has two kinds of cancers; a slower growing lymphoma which mutated into a more aggressive lymphoma: a tumor in a tumor which is larger than a softball and pressing on the superior mesenteric artery. Monday May 6th, John had a port placed and began round 1 of chemotherapy. On Wednesday May 8th the PET scan results showed that the enlarged lymph node on John's right shoulder is also cancer and has gone into the bone. The plan right now is to continue chemotherapy every three weeks for 6 months. John was discharged and able to go home on Thursday May 9th and by the smile on his face, sunshine and fresh air never felt so good! We will update as we hear more and/or things change.

John and Kelsey would like to extend a huge thank you for all of the overwhelming support and love you have shown them since they received John's diagnosis! The outpouring has been amazing!

❤️Live Life. Love Your People. Let the Little Things Go❤️