Meet the Padilla Sullivan Family - Patrick, Sylvia, and Arlo. Patrick was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer in April 2024. This devastating diagnosis turned the Sullivans' world upside down. Before cancer, Patrick would often walk to the neighborhood park with 10-year-old Arlo and play catch, both baseball and football. Arlo would always say, "Make them hard to catch! Don't throw me easy ones!" Patrick & Arlo loved a lot of physical play together, like tackling, tickle fights, and racing through "obstacle courses." Since Patrick's diagnosis, surgeries and treatments have made it impossible for Patrick & Arlo to have the active, physical play they were used to. Patrick also loved going to concerts with friends and writing and performing his own music. He enjoyed meeting friends for happy hour, breakfast, or any kind of gathering. All of this essentially stopped as his treatments became more and more aggressive and his cancer more and more resistant. Patrick's most recent prognosis is a 12 to 18-month life expectancy with continued chemotherapy. This was a crushing report for Sylvia and Patrick and they have had many difficult conversations with friends and family, including dear Arlo, about Patrick's limited prospects going forward. The most promising treatment options are clinical trials - the needle in the proverbial haystack! And this family needs your help with the following: Money for treatment. We are turning our attention to UCLA, City of Hope, UCSD, MD Anderson, and Memorial Sloan Kettering for the latest research & trials. These hospitals are making promising advances in the area of KRAS mutations (the mutation in Patrick that is creating resistance to chemo). Our current insurance won't cover these costs, which can range from $550-$2000 for a 30-minute consultation; and upwards of $15,000 for lab work and other new patient requirements. Airline miles, AirBnBs, and money for travel to cancer research clinics. If/when Patrick is accepted into a trial, he will have to travel frequently to that location. We have been told that lab work and monitoring is done sometimes 3X/week so the patient must stay nearby. Unfortunately, patients are often dropped from trials for a variety of reasons, so we anticipate this process is going to be on repeat as we continue to find "backup" trials. Money for experiences for Arlo like camps (baseball, other), classes (swimming, other), and Air BnBs (so we can take him on group camping trips). General financial support because Sylvia has shifted most of her time from working to being Patrick's "cancer trials agent." Incredibly, Patrick is still working - what a Warrior! He is an extraordinary psychotherapist and supervisor. He works with veterans struggling with mental and emotional health. He continues to work from home due to his compromised immunity. His alarm goes off at the crack of dawn, then, within a few minutes, you'll find him dressed and sitting at his desk, ready to work. When his work day is over, the exhaustion is evident and he is done for the day. He heads to the bedroom to lie down and take a nap, reserves what energy he has remaining for Sylvia and sweet Arlo, then wakes up to do it all again the next day. Our veterans are lucky to have Patrick. He is needed in the world - not only by his son and wife. Sylvia, like her beloved husband, is also a helper in the world. She is a remarkable therapist who loves her work. She has a private practice which was thriving - even with a waiting list - before Patrick's recent prognosis. Since then, she has cut her practice to the bones - one day/week - to devote her time to finding alternative cancer treatments. Now that FDA-approved treatments have been exhausted, Sylvia has found herself in charge of finding treatments/trials to extend, and hopefully save, Patrick's life. It is time-consuming and emotionally exhausting. Please support this beautiful, deserving family. No donation is too small as each comes with the love all families should experience in times like these, and an abundance of love is what Patrick, Sylvia, and Arlo need now more than ever.
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