TREMONTON – By Cari Doutre – October 20, 2020
Mike Campbell and his family want just one thing right now – more time together.
Mike, the father of eight children, and a resident of Tremonton, is also a U.S. Army war veteran and served his country honorably for over two decades.
“He served 22-years as a combat veteran and has sacrificed his body over and over for the well-being of his family and his country,” said Sacha Campbell, Mike’s wife.
Unfortunately, Mike’s body is now failing, and his loved ones are scrambling to find help.
Diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Sarcoidosis in February 2020, it quickly spread to Mike’s heart, lungs, spine and nervous system and by April doctors were more than a little concerned.
“We had not been given a prognosis at that time, but doctors were concerned because the disease was progressing, and it becomes life threatening when it enters the heart and nervous system. Once there it eventually causes the organs to harden and stop working,” said Sacha.
Mike and Sacha are the parents of eight children, the youngest two only 3-years old – and they all want more time together.
“We are not done. We need more time to make memories that are filled with joy and hope,” Sacha said.
Story continues below...
But Mike is allergic to the medications that normally treat this disease, leaving him with fewer options as doctors look into alternative medications to extend his life span. Mike’s medical insurance company doesn’t cover alternative medications doctors want to try because they are considered experimental for this particular disease.
Those medications range between $4,700 to $22,000 per month.
“The lower priced ones have intense side effects such as aggressive cancers. The most expensive have lesser side effects, especially fatal ones,” Sacha said.
That was when family and friends decided to really step in and get the community involved to help the Campbell family extend Mike’s life span.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, a spooky Halloween themed Zombie 5K fun run will be held in Tremonton with all proceeds going to the family. The event starts at 10 a.m. at the Box Elder County fairgrounds in the east parking lot. More information can be found below.
In addition to the fun run, friends will be raffling off a chair donated by Don’s Furniture in Tremonton, free meals from Pizza Pie Café, a 26x20 canvas from Studio R in Tremonton, homemade quilts, wreaths, Christmas gift baskets and much more. All items have been donated and proceeds collected from ticket sales will be given to the Campbell family.
“We have been overwhelmed and humbled by how people have reached out and been so supportive. Neighbors, family, church family and strangers have all been so kind with prayers and a variety of kindness along with incredible support we received throughout GoFundMe,” Sacha said.
A GoFundMe account has also been set up for the community to donate to the family. It can be found at “Taking Chances to Extend Mike’s Life” HERE.
Or donate by Venmo to @Sacha-Campbell
“If my husband continues the same medication he has been on, or no medication at all, he will die within the year. If he starts the new treatments there is hope it will slow down the progression of the disease and give us more time with him,” Sacha said.
Commentaires