Tom Harrer Medical Fund
Donation protected
As many of you know, Tom Harrer has been fighting stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. Here is an excerpt from his caring bridge website.
“Like any cancer story, I would say they are unexpected to say the least but I have been overwhelmed by the caring, praying and have found so much comfort in that as well as inspiration, once I shared this on my caring bridge website. I am battling to beat Stage 4 metastatic melanoma that has affected my brain, lungs, spleen, liver and some in mesentery and a little on the pancreas which initially was significantly alarming as well as the number of organs involved, so I can't sugar coat it (no sugars allowed in the diet-haha). My Oncologist said severity 7/10 and from a point of catching it early 0 being early, that I'm about a 9/10 on that one. Other issues include pulmonary embolism and SVT in the left saphenous vein. My treatment is a very promising type of immunotherapy using Opdivo and Vervoy taking an infusion shot every three weeks for 12 weeks and see how its going from there-likely more immunotherapy."
A few weeks into the infusions, it was apparent that the immunotherapy drug was impacting his liver negatively. As a result, the doctor stopped immunotherapy and started another mutation-specific cancer drug. So far —since May —Tom has seen miraculous improvement in tumor size reduction (20-30%) and vast improvement in his energy level with the goal of getting back on Immunotherapy which has the highest chance of long term remission.
Since Tom has had an 80% loss of income and the medical bills keep coming in, things have become increasingly financially difficult for the Harrer's. While he would love to get back to work in physical therapy doing what he loves, his energy needs to go toward fighting the cancer burden. In addition, the impact of chemotherapy creates severe vulnerability to COVID-19. We are humbly asking for your prayers first, as we have seen how this trial is truly working in Tom and Janice's lives and for their family. Then, if you are able to help in any way financially to support this incredible, vital family, that would be a tremendous blessing. Our goal is to raise $80,500 to cover daily and medical expenses incurred (not covered by insurance, deductibles/out of pocket) over the past four months and for future treatments over the next few months. Tom and Janice are humble, giving, positive people who have impacted many people in our community and beyond. Let's see what we can do for them!
Katie Keranen
“Like any cancer story, I would say they are unexpected to say the least but I have been overwhelmed by the caring, praying and have found so much comfort in that as well as inspiration, once I shared this on my caring bridge website. I am battling to beat Stage 4 metastatic melanoma that has affected my brain, lungs, spleen, liver and some in mesentery and a little on the pancreas which initially was significantly alarming as well as the number of organs involved, so I can't sugar coat it (no sugars allowed in the diet-haha). My Oncologist said severity 7/10 and from a point of catching it early 0 being early, that I'm about a 9/10 on that one. Other issues include pulmonary embolism and SVT in the left saphenous vein. My treatment is a very promising type of immunotherapy using Opdivo and Vervoy taking an infusion shot every three weeks for 12 weeks and see how its going from there-likely more immunotherapy."
A few weeks into the infusions, it was apparent that the immunotherapy drug was impacting his liver negatively. As a result, the doctor stopped immunotherapy and started another mutation-specific cancer drug. So far —since May —Tom has seen miraculous improvement in tumor size reduction (20-30%) and vast improvement in his energy level with the goal of getting back on Immunotherapy which has the highest chance of long term remission.
Since Tom has had an 80% loss of income and the medical bills keep coming in, things have become increasingly financially difficult for the Harrer's. While he would love to get back to work in physical therapy doing what he loves, his energy needs to go toward fighting the cancer burden. In addition, the impact of chemotherapy creates severe vulnerability to COVID-19. We are humbly asking for your prayers first, as we have seen how this trial is truly working in Tom and Janice's lives and for their family. Then, if you are able to help in any way financially to support this incredible, vital family, that would be a tremendous blessing. Our goal is to raise $80,500 to cover daily and medical expenses incurred (not covered by insurance, deductibles/out of pocket) over the past four months and for future treatments over the next few months. Tom and Janice are humble, giving, positive people who have impacted many people in our community and beyond. Let's see what we can do for them!
Katie Keranen
Organizer and beneficiary
Katie Keranen
Organizer
Sisters, OR
Janice Harrer
Beneficiary