Hello, we are Joe Gerchak & Jeff Newhard and we are raising money for our friend and colleague Mike Klembara who is battling stage 4 lymphoma. Dedicated worker and leader, great friend, and true family man are some of the simple phrases those who know Mike Klembara use to describe him. In truth he is so much more than that and that’s why we have established this Go Fund Me. The last 30 or so days have been a whirlwind and have changed Mike’s life and have turned him and his family upside down. This past spring Mike was doing what he loved since 1985, giving back to his community by umpiring a high school baseball game. Mike, as the crew chief was behind the plate, and settled in to call his game like always when he was hit in the facemask with a foul ball. A minor event with seemingly nothing to worry about. Days later his tooth was hurting where he was hit and he visited the dentist and the tooth was removed to ease the throbbing pain. The tooth was gone but the pain was not. Migraines began to form and affect Mike’s daily routine. Through it all Mike continued to umpire spring high school baseball. As a dedicated umpire and true professional when he is on the diamond Mike and his crew umpired in the PIAA state playoffs all the way to the state semifinals in mid-June. While Mike entered and left the diamond with a smile on his face, his grin was masking a feeling of deep pain. The day after his semifinal a trip to the ENT revealed a cancer diagnosis of the lymph nodes in the neck. Mike was called out of the game. A much bigger opponent was on the mound. A plan of attack was put into place. And that plan has been scratched out. With an initial surgery scheduled on July 11th, Mike developed pneumonia, and more scans revealed a cancerous tumor near his ear and an aggressive stage 4 cancer spreading throughout his lungs. This fundraiser will help ease some of the burden for Mike and the entire Klembara family. Mike married his perfect girl and partner Anita 30 years ago. They have two girls Michaela and Julia. As mentioned, Mike is dedicated to his family and his community and is always willing to step up even before he is asked. He loves to help people with home improvements and work on cars. He finds time for himself in the outdoors. He loves his Eagles and Phillies. And since 1985 he has loved to be an official with the PIAA and the NCAA. We thank you for your contributions, prayers, and standing by the Klembara family as they are not alone in this fight. We believe anything is possible for one who believes. Keep faith. Keep hope. Keep courage.
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