Thank you for visiting my donation page!
Donating through this webpage is simple, fast, and completely secure. It is the most efficient way to support my ambitious fundraising goal. Last year, we were able to raise $3,483.00 and I know with your continued support we can raise $4,000 this year!
MY STORY
I was officially diagnosed with an Aggressive Desmoid Fibromatosis in 2010 while in the middle of my college career at the University of Arizona. Once diagnosed, I was forced to take a semester off from school and begin taking the chemotherapy drug, Gleevec. After experiencing every side effect that Gleevec had to offer with no encouraging results my doctors opted for surgery. In December of 2010 I underwent major surgery to remove the tumor and reconstruct my ulna bone, as the tumor had deteriorated the bone. Approximately eight months later the tumor recurred in the same arm. In July 2011 I underwent another operation to remove the second tumor and to revise a scar left from previous surgeries. One month later an MRI indicated yet another mass was evident in my arm, this time more prominent in size. The doctors in Arizona considered the tumor to be inoperable without the risk of causing permanent damage to my arm and hand and were recommending radiation therapy treatment. In October of 2011, my parents and I took a trip to Houston and met Dr. Rafael Pollock and the Sarcoma team at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. We are very thankful for the relationship that we’ve established with the team of doctors at MD Anderson. Since beginning my treatment plan at MD Anderson I have been on two different chemotherapy drugs, Tamoxifen and Raloxifene. This past July, I received some encouraging news, for the first time since being diagnosed with Desmoid Tumors my MRI revealed that the tumor is, “unchanged slightly improved.”
Last year, my parents and I made it to Philadelphia for the 2nd Annual Running for Answers Patient Symposium and Brunch. Prior to attending this event, I was unsure if I would ever meet anyone else with a Desmoid tumor after learning that this disease only affects 2-4 people per million per year. Meeting other “Desmoidians” was an experience that I will never forget and will always look forward to year after year. This year my Aunt Pam will be supporting my cause and coming to Philly with my parents and me. I am so grateful for all of my family, friends, and kind strangers who continue to pray and send me their love. I know with all of you on my side I will someday be able to rid myself of this painful disease.
There are still many unanswered questions related to this puzzling disease but with your help and donations, research will continue to be funded in the attempt to find a cure. For those of you who would like to know more about desmoids; check out the following links. The first one is an article by Joe Munch and specifically highlights my doctor from MD Anderson. The second link will take you to the description of desmoids provided by the Demsoid Tumor Research Foundation (DTRF).
http://www2.mdanderson.org/depts/oncolog/articles/10/11-12-novdec/11-12-10-1.html
http://www.dtrf.org/dtrf_aboutdesmoids.htm
Many thanks for your support and love! Don’t forget to forward this to anyone who you think might also want to donate.
We Fight On – 2012!
Joe