Sunday Dennis Medical Fund

I have never met a Canadian that I didn't like. In fact, all of the Canadians that I know are absolutely superb. I adore them. With that being said (even though, essentially, it's irrelevant), a close friend of my buddy Stephen (Astrocytoma Options) just forwarded me an email. It's a letter from a desperate husband to save his wife, the mother of their three young children, from a newly diagnosed aggressive brain tumor. I realize that many of my readers are fighting their own cancer battles, or they are family members who are the support system, but if you are so inclined, and capable of donating, the information is below (I will copy and paste the letter). There are so many who are fighting their own battles, so of course, there is no pressure here. I just want to spread the word and help out in any way that I can. You guys know how much I advocate going for the best medical care - even if you have to travel. That by driving the demand we support cutting edge treatments that will become more accessible for everyone, and that's a very powerful thing. To support pioneers in treatment is a win for all brain tumor fighters, current and future. So whether you can donate, or just help out by sharing their story (I think there's a way at the bottom of this post to share on other media sites), I appreciate the help very, very much. At the end of the letter is a video of Sunday, the wife and mother. She's a singer/songwriter. Let's keep her singing!

We need to get to UCLA

I can hardly believe that I am writing this letter, but I am. It the hardest letter I've ever had to write in my life.  On Wed. Dec 31st, Sunday was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  On Thurs. they sent us to Victoria General Hospital where we met with Neurosurgeon, Dr. Evan Frangou, to talk about removing the tumor.  On Fri., they ran a few more tests, did an MRI and again we met with Dr. Frangou.  He let us know that without a tissue sample there was no definitive answers as to what kind of tumor it is, but based on test results there is a high probability that she has a high grade Gleoma, a fast growing, aggressive form of brain cancer otherwise known as Gleoblastoma.  There are very limited resources in Canada for treating such tumors.  It can be removed, hit with radiation and high levels of chemo, but this is not a cure.  So it's just a matter of time before more tumors grow.

Upon learning about her diagnoses, Sunday contacted our friend Stephen Western, a patient advocate, and an incredible researcher of brain tumors and the advancements of curing these types of cancers.  He has an incredible website http://astrocytomaoptions.com/ with lots of information on these types of tumors and treatments that are being studied.  (Please take a look at his sight and make a donation to help further his research.)  He informed us about a clinical study being done at UCLA under the direction of world renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Linda Liau, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Vice Chair of Neurosurgery, and Director of UCLA Brain Tumor Program.  This clinical study is on Dendritic Cell Vaccine.  In other words, taking some of Sundays blood and training her DC cells to destroy tumor cells and re-injecting her with that blood whereby eliminating all Glioblastoma cells. This study is being done at the UCLA Department of Neurosurgery and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.  Using this technology, they have been finding incredible results killing all Glioblastoma cells having no tumors return.

To qualify for this study the protocol requires us to have the tumor removed by Dr. Liau at the UCLA Medical Center.  We have to pay for this part ourselves, then every other cost is covered by the clinical study.

This is why I am writing the letter.  I am asking for everyone and anyones help to get us to UCLA.  We need to raise funds to help pay for the cost of surgery, anesthesiologist, pre and post op care and hospital fees.  Right now our goal is to raise $300,000 by the end of this weekend.  Everything is happening so quickly so I am waiting to get a estimate from Dr. Liau but I believe this will help cover most cost if not all of a procedure of this magnitude.  Because of the kind of tumor, the size and the location, we don't have time to waste, we have to act quickly.  If we can have the funds together by Monday, January 5th, we can get ourselves enrolled and down to UCLA by the end of this next week.  If you have money or anyone that you know has money I am asking for substantial donations to be made for Sundays care.  This is my wife's life and the momma or our 3 children, so I am not afraid to ask.  Please help us in any way that you can.

Know that any contributions made will help save Sundays life and contribute to saving hundreds more, as it will help in the advancement of this kind of ground breaking technology, Dendritic Cell Vaccine, Immunotherapy.

All Canadian funds can be sent to https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=JP4A94YKEV75C

All US funds can be sent to https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FMPMQW2DX3R5E

Thanks you in advance so so much.

In love and light,

Jason (Sunday, True, Cyrus and Ishan too!)



Here is a link to her four songs if you'd like to hear more of her beautiful voice.

We're Not Just Standard

I love this man, this doctor, Patrick Soon-Shiong. Granted, I don't really know anything about him other than this video, but I love what he's doing. I love his brain. I love his basic statement of question your treatment. Question the standard. Don't just do what your doctor tells you, ask questions. Double check the research. Is that a lot of work? Of course it is, but what is the price of your life? You deserve the best. You deserve to live. When you get diagnosed with cancer it's overwhelming, and exhausting, and everything happens at once, but things level out (usually), you just have to push through and give all of your energy to figuring out the best path - then maintain. It seems crazy to have to research what your doctors are recommending, but man is it worth it. Doctors often have different opinions about dosing, about treatments, about what is best. Also, in my experience, and in talking with cancer friends, they downplay short and long term side effects. Anyway, I'd better hop off my soapbox or you'll end up being turned off of the video and that would be a serious tragedy. This man is incredibly exciting. I am so grateful for private cancer businesses. Heaven forbid we have to rely on the government to save us; we all know how bogged down it is.

You guys, cancer is a multi-billion dollar industry. What we don't realize is that we're customers, that we can drive demand. We have power if we start speaking up with our pocket books. Yes there's the issue of insurance, and that makes it tricky, but this is and isn't about money. It's intrinsically intertwined, but it's more than that. We have to stand up and get off the assembly line, and analyze the big picture. If we're going to endure treatments, and everything that goes with cancer, let's make sure it's going to work. Let's make sure it's cutting edge, that it's the best. One of the worst words, one that gives me a visceral reaction, is "standard". Who ever wants to be "standard" in any area of life. I don't. Don't settle for it either. (Click the image for the video or click HERE.)