Dave Fleischer has just completed his fifth week of the #JourneyofHope in memory of his daughter, Sarah, who passed away in 2018 from Cholangiocarcinoma. He's raising awareness and money for research into the cancer and providing support to its "warriors."
In this episode on the NFN Radio News podcast, Dave reports in from Colorado Springs, Colorado after driving 13,000 miles as he’s crossed the country and visited several towns called Hope, numerous cholangiocarcinoma caregivers, patients and families. Altogether, plans call for the trip to include stops in 19 towns named Hope all across the country.
A major goal of the trip, which is taking Dave to all 48 contiguous states, is to raise money to support research into Cholangiocarcinoma and to spread awareness and bring hope to patients, caregivers, and others along the way. He’s nearly reached the goal of $45,000 – and with one week to go, is secretly hoping to raise even more. The journey is scheduled to end June 30.
The road trip, in a car with a specially designed wrap promoting cholangiocarcinoma awareness, includes stops at hospitals and healthcare institutions that specialize in research and treatment of the disease, plus the get-togethers with patients, caregivers and healthcare providers who were important in Sarah's life. He reports on more of these in this episode.
Cholangiocarcinoma starts in the bile duct and is an incredibly deadly cancer, which afflicts about 8,000 people in the United States each year. Most of its victims are 65 or older, but Sarah was only 31 when she was diagnosed. She passed away at age 35.
The trip is being supported by the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, which has made the specially designed Honda SUV available for the journey. Sponsors are Incyte, Ken Garff Honda, QED Therapeutics, Servier, Taiho Oncology, Welch’s Fruit Snacks and Zymeworks. Tee shirts commemorating the trip are available by clicking on the store at https//:cholangiocarcinoma.org.
And now, let’s talk with Dave Fleischer as he reports in after his fifth week on the Journey of Hope.