As our community approaches the size of our hometown of Sacramento, I have a final update to share: Mikaela has been transitioned to hospice care & I’ve decided to table the campaign to remove any distractions during this time. These are difficult words to type, but it’s the clear choice at this point.
While we were not successful with getting the drug, your support has been essential in providing a boost of hope to get us through the past couple months — THANK YOU! If you’re able, here are 3 ways you can help us in the coming days:
1) THOUGHTS: As we enjoy our final days together, your thoughts/prayers/vibes for a smooth and pain-free transition are much appreciated. The hospice team has been doing a great job of keeping Mikaela comfortable, and we’re doing everything we can to keep it that way. It’s an unavoidably precarious situation, so your thoughts are much appreciated!
2) MONEY: Having never been through a situation like this before, I’m nervous about the costs of everything in the coming weeks. If you’re able, we’d greatly appreciate any financial assistance you’re able to provide. You were all extremely generous during our campaign to cover the cost of genetic testing, and we’ll be receiving those results shortly. In lieu of setting up a whole new fundraising page, we’re just going to keep the page for that campaign open for the time being. Thanks to those who are able, and we completely understand if you’re not!
3) SUPPORTING OTHERS: Please do not allow the outcome of our campaign stop you from supporting others. Even though we were unsuccessful, the fight brought great joy to Mikaela during these rough times and anyone in her position will benefit from a similar experience. You’ll be able to find other compassionate use petitions & I want to highlight the petition for 10 year-old Joey Xu as he faces the same subtype of kidney cancer.
Nothing I can say will make up for the half-million who’ve lent their support, but I hope I’ll be able to repay the favor someday to as many of you as possible. Just let me know! If her story has provided you even a fraction of the inspiration it’s given me, then I’m proud to know that she made the world a better place.
Holding Mikaela’s hand & prepared for the coming days,
Keith Knapp
ps: I hope you enjoy these final pictures of Mikaela’s unfailing positivity. These were taken just a few days ago, with Mikaela making funny faces while wearing her friend’s glasses.