Steve Stutzman Cancer Fundraiser

A new season in our lives is starting unexpectedly with my diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in late July 2021. We are trusting in God’s perfect plan for me and my dear wife Rachel, my 7 children, and my 23 grandchildren. This diagnosis also impacts my service in the community – I pastor at Open Way Church, serve on the board of the non-profit North Topeka Arts District, own and run a leather goods shop with Rachel and work at the Topeka Rescue Mission as the Director of Facilities & Security.

Early in July I was treated for gallstones. Because of irregularities on the scans, further testing revealed a tumor in my pancreas. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and difficult cancers to treat. In the US, with traditional treatments of chemotherapy and surgery, there is only a 10% survival rate at 1 year after diagnosis.

We have decided to pursue holistic treatment through a clinic in Mexico called Hope4Cancer instead of the traditional chemo and surgery advised by doctors here. I will be going to Mexico for 3 weeks to begin treatment with 1 year of follow up care and visits every 3 months after that initial treatment. This treatment is focused on immune boosting, radical diet changes, supplements, multiple oxygen therapies, multiple infrared therapies, and a number of other therapies they have found effective in treating cancer. During our recent crash course in pancreatic cancer and treatment options, and after speaking with pancreatic cancer survivors who have taken the same path, we believe there is a much higher chance of survival going this direction rather than getting traditional treatments. Regardless of the outcome, this option also provides a much greater quality of life during and after treatment.

However, because of FDA regulations, this treatment is not covered by insurance, and we need to pay for almost all of the treatment on arrival to the clinic.

This GoFundMe is organized by my daughter, Rachel Golden, to help with medical and travel expenses, as well as ongoing treatment over the next year(s). Our goal and hope is to have the funding together by the 3rd week of August.

We are grateful for the early diagnosis and that it appears the cancer has not yet metastasized to any other organs. I am not currently experiencing many symptoms or pain and am able to keep working and participating in regular activities for the most part. I am more tired than normal so please pray for energy and stamina. And I have already begun some dietary restrictions and supplements that are helpful for cancer fighting and for healing.

GoFundMe only charges credit/debit transaction fees, and all the remaining funds get transferred directly to a seperate medical expense account.

If you want a tax deductible donation option, you can donate via Paypal or mail to Open Way Church and designate it for Steve Stutzman Medical Fund.
Paypal: openwaychurch at gmail dot com (no spaces, use symbols)
Mail: PO Box 395 Topeka, KS 66608

We appreciate your prayers and are extremely grateful if you feel lead to support our family in this journey.

Grace and peace,
Steve and Rachel Stutzman

 
We are not anxious or fearful. We are resting in and trusting God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and are grateful for each day He gives us. Here are a few scriptures we are standing on for my body and our family:

2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Isaiah 54:17
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
1 Corinthians 15:54-55,58
But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “ Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting ?” Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.