Paul's Fight For His Life
Donation protected
Please help my stepfather Paul as he is in the fight for his life! Paul was diagnosed in 2011 with Chordoma, an extremely rare (1 in 1 million new cases per year) and painful cancer that occurs in the bones of the skull and/or spine. Paul suffered for many years before having emergency surgery to remove the tumor in his spine that nearly killed him.
Chordoma is an aggressive cancer and has an incredibly high rate of recurrence. In April of 2015, Paul was told that the cancer was back and this time he had several tumors. He was told that surgery was not an option due to their location on his pelvic bone. Surgery alone would kill him. He was told radiation was his only option.
Paul became aware of a clinical trial that is evaluating
whether a vaccine in combination with radiation has a better survival rate. This is his best chance at fighting this cancer that desperately wants to take his life. Paul was lucky enough to be accepted into the clinical trial at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He was given 3 doses of the vaccine every 2 weeks. However, these frequent trips to Maryland have left my mom and Paul with many unexpected expenses, as the study does not provide compensation for my mom's travel fees, (Paul is too sick to travel on his own) as well as enough compensation for room and board.
Right now he has to complete 35 radiation treatments which requires him to travel to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, there are no treatment centers where he lives. This will include more expenses as there are daily co-pays, driving expenses, and hotel fees. He was also admitted into the hospital a few weeks ago with a $300 co-pay so it is very easy for the medical expenses to accumulate.
Once radiation is over, he will have to complete the second part of the trial in Maryland. There will be more expenses, including air fare and hotel as it is near impossible for Paul to travel alone. He must complete 3 more doses of vaccines every 2 weeks. Traveling is very difficult on Paul and has caused his health to deteriorate so ideally, it will be helpful if they could rent a place in Maryland for 6 weeks to finish the trial.
We desperately need your help! Every dollar counts and it is very much appreciated! No amount is too small. The Go Fund Me process is secure and all funds are used explicitly for Paul's treatments, related travel expenses,, and insurance deductibles and co-pays. Please "Share" to help spread awareness of Paul's story. He truly is fighting for his life!
Chordoma is an aggressive cancer and has an incredibly high rate of recurrence. In April of 2015, Paul was told that the cancer was back and this time he had several tumors. He was told that surgery was not an option due to their location on his pelvic bone. Surgery alone would kill him. He was told radiation was his only option.
Paul became aware of a clinical trial that is evaluating
whether a vaccine in combination with radiation has a better survival rate. This is his best chance at fighting this cancer that desperately wants to take his life. Paul was lucky enough to be accepted into the clinical trial at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He was given 3 doses of the vaccine every 2 weeks. However, these frequent trips to Maryland have left my mom and Paul with many unexpected expenses, as the study does not provide compensation for my mom's travel fees, (Paul is too sick to travel on his own) as well as enough compensation for room and board.
Right now he has to complete 35 radiation treatments which requires him to travel to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, there are no treatment centers where he lives. This will include more expenses as there are daily co-pays, driving expenses, and hotel fees. He was also admitted into the hospital a few weeks ago with a $300 co-pay so it is very easy for the medical expenses to accumulate.
Once radiation is over, he will have to complete the second part of the trial in Maryland. There will be more expenses, including air fare and hotel as it is near impossible for Paul to travel alone. He must complete 3 more doses of vaccines every 2 weeks. Traveling is very difficult on Paul and has caused his health to deteriorate so ideally, it will be helpful if they could rent a place in Maryland for 6 weeks to finish the trial.
We desperately need your help! Every dollar counts and it is very much appreciated! No amount is too small. The Go Fund Me process is secure and all funds are used explicitly for Paul's treatments, related travel expenses,, and insurance deductibles and co-pays. Please "Share" to help spread awareness of Paul's story. He truly is fighting for his life!
Organizer and beneficiary
Delilah Rivera Garcia
Organizer
Oceanside, CA
Paul Leuenberger
Beneficiary