As many of you may know, our brother Brett was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer in June of last year. He has since undergone surgery and six rounds of chemotherapy.

Unfortunately this fall, his doctor found residual cancer and has decided that the next step is salvage chemotherapy, which will come in the form of back to back bone marrow transplants. His doctor, working in conjunction with Dr. Einhorn (the same doctor who treated Lance Armstrong..) has said that while he has a negligible chance of beating the cancer without this treatment, his chances increase to 70% if he moves forward.

While we were very blessed to learn a that he was approved for a primary insurance with medicaid as a backup, the insurance company has denied the first request and subsequent appeals for the procedure. Medicaid has agreed to move forward with one transplant but is steadily declining to provide the second.

While one is better then none, we feel that in order for him to maintain cancer free and return to lead a healthy life that he must have both transplants. In order to accomplish we are organizing several fundraising efforts, including this 5k run/walk.

Questions Laura Kemp: 417-291-8934

Email: carrie_butler@msn.com