SAVE THE DATE! March 28st!

Hello Friends and Family of Jim,

Wanted to tell you to save the date for a fundraiser for Sunday March 28th! I'm getting confirmation on a few details, but the 21st looks pretty good! I'll be in touch with more news as it comes.

Donation to Jims' Cancer Treatments

Hope is on the Way!

What a ride it has been since my father was diagnosed- only in September. One day he was bike riding every day after work, the next day he was lying in Overlake hospital recovering from multiple seizures caused by the tumor in his brain. Now in mid-February we are still continuing with the battle. My father is completely bedridden now but we all know he is in excellent care. I've never seen a stronger woman than my mom.  I tell you if everyone in the hospital could receive the treatment my father has been getting at home, there would be some happy patients. I'm so incredibly inspired. And! Great great news!
Today my brother Jesse went with my parents to Vancouver, Canada to see a cancer specialist who treats patients like my father dealing with his type of cancer. The center is called LEMMO Integrated Cancer Care I received a glowing phone call on their way home about all the hope they were given on curing his cancer! The specialist is Dr. Lemmo, Bastyr trained and originally from Seattle. I would love to tell you that every great cancer treatment center in Seattle can help my father, but there are many more solutions to cure cancer than chemo and radiation. Don't get me started on American politics with cancer treatments or the FDA, I could give you an earful.

I also wish I could tell you they were going over to Vancouver BC to watch the Olympics, I truly do!! But due to America's restrictions with certain treatments, they had to seek medical help out of the country to get the treatment my father needs. It doesn't cost any more than the standard treatments we would be settling with in the states, in fact, most of them are less expensive! And guess what!? The survival rates are higher!
More importantly than ever, we couldn't do it alone!!! With your help we are able to continue these medical treatments for my father and I couldn't be more excited and thrilled at the outpouring of your generous support for my father's treatments! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I'm still planning a fundraiser! Thank you all for wanting to help! I will be in touch soon!

love,

Melissa

An Appreciation of Family and Friends and New Treatment Ideas

Mark, Jill, Candy, Melissa, Jesse, Jim and Jennalee at the Seattle Symphony for Dad's Birthday

The above photo was taken this last November. The whole family went to the symphony for my dad's 60th birthday. I love this picture. Jim was already diagnosed with the glioblastoma brain tumor, but he was still very strong. My father loves classical music and it was his dream to compose his own music someday. Until that time comes, a  laptop sits next to my father's bed steaming classical music. I like to believe it is healing in ways we cannot see.
Today my mom and my brother will be taking Jim to the Tahoma clinic for some alternative treatment options, perhaps finding a cure or at the very least, buying a little more time.

Again, I wish there was a way that I could express how much your support means to our family during this unreal time. The outpouring of support from friends and family during the past few months has been so inspiring! From the generous donations, the home-cooked dinners, the visits at the hospital and the volunteers who ran errands without asking.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Overwhelming Support

Candy and Jim holding up a Hope ornament Christmas 2009

On behalf of my entire family, I want to say THANK YOU!!! Since posting this blog yesterday and reaching out, we have received an overwhelming response of donations already! This is very unfamiliar territory for my family, to ask for help, especially financial help. It's been extremely emotional to say the least.

For everyone who has reached out to volunteer to cook and bake for the upcoming fundraiser, we thank you!
I also want to thank you all for passing this blog to your friends, family and church members, we have received support from some very unexpected places!

When my dad was unresponsive in the hospital last Saturday, two doctors told my mother that my father was in a coma and given a bleak diagnosis. We had a fantastic rally of family and friends continue to pray for my father and send out positive vibes. The following sunday evening my father slowly reached out to my sister Jen and asked "how are you doing?" Tuesday afternoon, my father was delivered home via ambulance and set up at home for home health care. Each day he gets a little bit better. There are some new treatments my family is looking into and we are hopeful.

Thank you all so much for your support!

love,

Melissa

Team Hope

 

Jim Evavold's 60th Birthday Party November 14th 2009

Team Hope is the collective group of family, friends, co-workers and kind strangers who have joined in the effort to help Jim Evavold fight brain cancer. I've created this blog as a means to connect with the numerous members who have already been apart of Team Hope, but also as a means for those who want to join in the cause. 

I will be organizing a fundraiser for my father's medical bills. For anyone who knows someone with cancer, someone who has already battled cancer or has had cancer themselves, you already know the unbelievable costs for cancer treatment. We are at a critical stage now. Because my father is not working, and my mother has become a full-time caregiver for my father, there is no income coming in. In order to continue his cancer treatments, we are seeking outside help from friends, family and the kindness of strangers to do what we can to continue his treatment. One of the medications for my father is $500 a month. Conventional medicine has given us a bleak outlook on his chances of recovery, but we are team hope!

The date for the fundraiser is yet to be determined, but it will be taking place in Seattle, WA sometime very soon. Besides donated beverages, I will be asking anyone who likes to bake or cook to donate a potluck item to the party, details to follow.

Many people have asked how they can help out. If you would like to donate to the cause prior to the party I have set up a Paypal account for Jim Evavold's medical bills which you can donate directly to on this link below. I can't thank you enough for your help and generosity! We're not out of the woods on his treatment yet, but we are close!

Thank you for all your love, prayers, positive vibes and continual support!

love
Melissa and Family