Mark’s Cancer, one day at a time.

My journey with my friend Mark has been a joyous beginning. Like me, he is a recovering alcoholic, and together we share a journey to live one day at a time.

In August of 2022, Mark was diagnosed with the stage 4 cancer. He faces a new battle, which is complicated by liver problems. Standard chemotherapy is quite dangerous for Mark's liver.

It has been recommended to try photoimmunotherapy, a new approach developed in Japan (where we live), in which infusions target cancer cells specifically and are activated by near infrared light. The cancer cells specifically are destroyed without harming healthy cells. This activity also creates an immune response in which T cells seek out cancer antigens as an ongoing protection from further development of new cancer cells. This is the simple version as was explained to us with charts and diagrams in the office. I encourage anyone curious to research the therapy.

THE PROBLEM is that while traditional cancer strategies like chemotherapy and radiation are covered by Japanese National Health insurance, this newer therapy is NOT covered by Insurance. The cost, when we were told at the end, was a jaw dropping ¥3,300,000 (just over $22,000) for the first 6 treatments.

And they ask for it up front. The silence after this information was heartbreaking.

But just as Mark and I stay sober one day at a time, we decided to approach life to be lived one day at a time, and we will do the first things first, having the courage to change the things we can.

So, I ask that you help us make the change and get Mark started in this fight. Your love will literally be infused into his life. Thank you for your love!