Steve Phillip's Medical Expenses

Steve Phillips is a well known figure to the television sports world.  Steve worked for WVTM in Birmingham, Alabama before moving to WKRN in Nashville for many years. He was with  Knoxville's WBIR for more than 10 years before retiring from television broadcasting.   Many know Steve as the "Sportsguy" and he was a familiar face to television audiences in all three  cities.  Steve was known for his humor, gentle spirit and love of all sports.

Steve was visiting in Bristol, TN in October 2016 when he noticed that he could not read the menu in a local restaurant. The words were recognizable but the order in the sentence was not.   Par for the course, Steve ordered a hamburger and kept his confusion of words to himself.  The following morning, he had a severe episode of vertigo which sent him to the local emergency room in Bristol.  Originally thought to be a stroke, Steve was admitted that day for further stroke evaluation.

Following an MRI and brain biopsy, Steve was told he had a very aggressive and lethal brain cancer known as glioblastoma multi forme.  Glioblastoma requires immediate treatment and Steve was advised to go to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke in Durham, North Carolina .  His Radiation oncologist and Neuro oncologist told Steve the battle against glioblastoma is an  "uphill climb."    He began a regimen of 33 brain radiation treatments along with 42 days of chemotherapy at Duke and has just finished a second round of chemotherapy.  Following future MRI results, Duke willl detemine what next steps are necessary to fight this deadly brain cancer.  Duke Cancer Center has a variety of clinical trials and treatments for glioblastoma as well as an individualized approach for the patient.  For that reason, Duke is the "place to be" for brain tumor care.

The weeks spent in North Carolina have included transportation costs, hotel charges and food expense which don't begin to include the charges for medical care, medication and all other expenses above and beyond Steve's  health care coverage.  To fight this cancer and to give Steve a chance of recovery is going to be expensive and ongoing.  His future medical care will continue at Duke.   It is difficult to determine what he will need  financially at this time,  but it is assumed it will be a financial and heavy burden on him. 

Steve has always known this storm he is in, is in God's hands.  He continues to praise God for his faithfulness and intimate care which has been witnessed so many times since his diagnosis.  He believes in a miraculous healing and is entrusting God with that request.  Steve also knows that God may choose to heal him on earth or heal him eternally.  In the meantime, the battle is on!

Steve has many friends.  If you are one of those friends, please consider a small donation to assist with the staggering costs of this disease and treatment.   He is a fighter but your gift will make sure the fight for him is only physical and he can rest knowing all financial battles are handled.

Thank you!