Support Richard's Fight Against Glioblastoma

Hi everyone,

My name is Richard, and I never imagined I’d be writing this at just 35 years old. Life has thrown me a challenge I can’t face alone. I’ve been diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma, a terminal brain cancer. Now, I’m in a race against time, and I desperately need your help to access lifesaving immunotherapy and hyperthermy treatment that could give me more precious time with my family.

I have an amazing wife, Rachael, and together since 2012, we’ve built a beautiful life with our three incredible children Freddie (10), Juliana (6), and Maximilian (3). They are full of life, love sports, and dream big. As parents, we are determined to remove any barriers in their way and give them the best opportunities in life, education, and sport.

My Life Before Diagnosis

I have dedicated my career to education and training as a high school design & technology teacher since 2011. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching thousands of students across Indiana. Supporting schools, students, and teachers has been my passion

I have always been active and healthy, eating well, not smoking or taking drugs, rarely drinking, and running every weekend with my kids. On a typical day, I would walk 10,000 to 15,000 steps through work and life. I never expected to face something like this.

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

In November 2024, I started experiencing severe headaches and fatigue. I reached out to my doctor multiple times, but I was told it was just migraines. On November 12th, I couldn’t take the pain any longer and went to the hospital. Within an hour, I was sent for a CT scan at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital. The results were devastating; a large tumor was found in my brain. Further scans confirmed that I had glioblastoma, and I was introduced to my neuro-oncology specialist. The swelling caused by the tumor had already shifted my brain by 8 mm, causing immense pressure in my head.

After five days on steroids to reduce the swelling, I was transferred to IU Health Neuroscience Center, where I underwent brain surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible and collect samples for further analysis.

Determined to fight, I pushed myself to recover quickly so I could return home to my family after two weeks apart from my children.

The Harsh Reality of Glioblastoma

In December 2024, I began 30 sessions of radiotherapy and chemotherapy at IU Health Simon Cancer Center. While these treatments help, they are not a cure. Glioblastomas are relentless only 25% of patients survive beyond one year. I refuse to become another statistic.

I began researching my condition and was shocked to learn that the same standard treatments have been used for decades. I knew I had to explore every possible option to give myself the best chance.

Why I Need Your Help

I am now seeking hyperthermy and immunotherapy treatment, both cutting-edge approaches that have shown incredible promise for grade 4 brain tumors.

Hyperthermy works alongside chemotherapy and uses high temperatures to damage and kill the cancerous cells. The immunotherapy treatment uses my own tumor, which is currently frozen and stored at IU Health Neuroscience Center, to create a personalized vaccine. This vaccine will train my immune system to recognize and fight the cancer as it regrows.

This is a time-sensitive opportunity, and I need to raise \$85,000 to access this potentially life-extending treatment.

How You Can Help

I never imagined having to ask for help in this way, but I cannot do this alone.

• If you can donate, no matter how small, it will go directly toward my treatment and give me the chance to keep living for my wife and children.

• If you can’t donate right now, please share my story with as many people as possible. Your support means everything.

This is truly a race against time, and every single donation or share brings me closer to the treatment I need.

I can’t imagine not being there to watch my children grow up and pursue their dreams; to give Freddie his first driving lesson; to run another weekend race with Juliana, let alone walk her down the aisle at her wedding; to take Maximilian to his first day at school.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.

With love and gratitude,

Richard