We Are Team Pete

When my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, the biggest thing that kept her battling was prayer and knowing that people were there to support her and battle alongside her in spirit. If you look at my Facebook page my profile picture is “Her battle is My battle.” Thankfully, due to her aggressive counter-attack, my wife is still cancer free at the five year mark. I start with this as a way to say, I know what it is like to see someone fighting for their lives; battling against cancer to ensure they will be able to watch their children grow up and to be there for them.

My cousin-in-law, Pete Carfley, is now in a similar battle. In June, Pete was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer, and declared war. Not only for himself, but for his wife Lindsay, and his son Michael.

At three years old, Michael has already shown Pete what it means to fight, persevere, and endure because of the love and support surrounding you. He was born prematurely on June 16, 2017, weighing in at 1 pound, 1 ounce, and lived the first 325 days of his life in the hospital, with most of that time spent in Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Lindsay was able to give up her job and live at the Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia the entire time Michael was hospitalized at CHOP while Pete, who was working in Harrisburg, would drive or take the train to Philadelphia at every opportunity he could to be with his family. Thanks to the physicians at CHOP, Lindsay and Pete’s constant love and encouragement Michael is thriving.

Pete has been fortunate to be able to get some of the best care available from the cancer center at Johns Hopkins. Here is his treatment plan:

1.  4 to 6 months of chemotherapy starting on July 22, with the chemotherapy being administered locally every 14 days for 5-6 hours per session.

2.  An immunotherapy clinical trial through Hopkins which will overlap the chemotherapy.

3.  5 days of intense radiation therapy to shrink the tumor further (after chemotherapy).

4.  Modified Appleby surgery to remove the tumor.

5.  2 more months of post-surgery chemotherapy as well as additional immunotherapy.

I vividly remember seeing my wife going through chemotherapy, and I know that love and support from friends and family go a long way in making the treatments more tolerable. I want to do the same for Pete and his family. I am starting this GoFundMe page to assist Pete with medical and general expenses, and to let him know that people are here to support him through their prayers and financial contributions. 

I would also like to place an additional challenge, if I am able to raise $500, I will shave my head in solidarity with Pete (who is losing his hair as a side effect of chemotherapy). If I am able to raise over $1,000, I will shave off my beard which I have been growing long since my wife was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. Ultimately, I would like to raise over $2,500 to assist Pete and his family with the many medical and living expenses. I humbly ask for your financial support, prayers, and encouragement for Pete and his family during his battle with pancreatic cancer.

Thank you and God bless,

Mat