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.
We Got This 
Hi Keith, I just invited all of my friends to the change.org petition. If we gain a million votes, will that help, or is it too late? If it can help, I’ll keep inviting others, and maybe post an ad. Please tell me. Anyway, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Mikaela at this difficult time ❤
My sympathies to your family. I would like to thank Keith, family and friends for allowing “the village” to be a part of your lives. You are, truly an inspiration to all of the people that you included in your battle for a life. I hope that you can take some comfort knowing the way you have touched “the village” of your supporters. Lisa
I lost my mom to pancreatic cancer several years ago. Your fight for the compassionate use of the experimental drug was amazing. I will pray for you both.
So very sorry to read this update. I hope that you all feel peace during this trying time.
May Mikaela find a peaceful passing and Keith may the moments shared today become cherished memories for you.
Dear Keith and Mikaela, I’m crying for you both as I type this. I had so hoped she would have been able to get the treatment in time, and that it would help. My heart breaks for you, and I hope you feel all these loving words here as a cradle of hugs to support you. My loving thoughts to you at this time.
Your family and story has touched us all! My thoughts and prayers will continue for both of you. I pray for comfort for you both and the lord will continue to be with both of you during this time. You have both taught everyone that life may be short but you can still effect others and I am so glad that all of us have helped support you. You are truly an inspiration!
God Bless!
I am so sorry it turned out like this. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Sending you love, prayers, strength as you make this next journey.
I am so sorry, Keith and Mikaela, to read this Final Update. You are both beautiful and remarkable people, in body and spirit. I believe that your love will endure. And it will be there in the light of the torch of your struggle to obtain Compassionate Use Drugs, a torch that will be passed on and continued by others. I’m signing the petition for Joey Xu and anyone else I learn about who needs these potentially life-saving drugs. Hrdayanjali Mudra — Namaste.
Love and Peace to both of you and your families. ❤
I have to say I was very upset when I read your update. I had so hoped and prayed that Mikaela would get the drug she needed, and honestly I don’t see why she couldn’t have. I am very sorry Keith that this did not go the way it should have. I will continue to pray for both of you and that God gives you the strength you both need to get through this time.
Shelly
Peace to you both.
I am so sorry to see we didn’t get her the help she needed. I pray for peaceful days to come, love shared, and a calmness to get thru this to help you. I am so sorry this ends this way, I wish we could have fixed this. Hugs, Love, and Blessing for peace to both of you. Stay strong.
Keith, I’m so sorry that the petition did not help your Mikaela. I only hope that your efforts will not go unnoticed and that future patients may benefit from your determination. Peace and love be with you both.
Mikaela, you ROCK in those glasses. I’m wearing my t shirt for the next week straight, AND I’m rocking glasses. You inspire strength and greatness in us all. ❤
I’m sorry to hear about Mikaela worsening condition. I wish you both peace in this difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear that the phar company didn’t come through for you and Mikaela. It’s clear to me that the heavenly father has and will always be their for you. You two will always be part of a large family of friends who have been blessed to be part of your plight. I believe we all got to see first hand what true love, commitment, friendships and heartfilled faith looks like. I will keep my tee shirt close and when times get hard I will put it on and remember what blessings I have and the Beautiful family I got the privledge to see a glimps of. God Bless.
God bless you man. God bless you. For giving your all, doing absolutely everything you can do for someone you love. Not once letting your doubts or fears or sadness get in the way. God bless you for showing Mikaela, as well as the WORLD, what love truly is.
I’m holding back tears as I write this, and I’m not usually an emotional person.
I’m praying for both of you, that this time is easy for you both. You both deserve the best.
May you both be blessed.
This is truly heartbreaking and tragic.
May you treasure the time you have together to the full extent.
Keith my heart aches for you and Mikaela what a hard time for you both. I pray that transition will take place very peacefully for you both. It’s not easy but God has a better plan stay strong Keith and keep the faith that no matter what God is in control. We are only here for a little while. Love & Light my friend. May the Angels wrap you both in wings of understanding and many moments of Love.
May God give both of you the strength to finish the journey that ended for both of you too soon. Your love will endure forever through him. May you both find the peace you need to continue your journey of life here and in heaven. I am so sorry that God’s children on this Earth did not find the importance of each life to save but that money is the only objective in their lives. May they find God sometime in their life so that they can earn the right to eternal life. My prayers are with you and your family for each day forward.
Mikaela, Know that you were and ARE loved…. and, because of Keith making us all aware, thousands will love you forever… you’ll forever drift in and out of our thoughts from time to time. We’ll remember you Mikaela, no matter what the final outcome is, with us or with God, because you are now in our hearts and will remain there for as long as we live. How great a gift it is to be “loved”. Consider yourself hugged and kissed because if I were there in person, that’s exactly what I’d do… We love you Mikaela…. and love never dies.
So is this really just it? No more possibilities in any way whatsoever at all? What if everyone in the #wegotthis family all called the company who has the ability to release the experimental drug, over and over to the point that they caved in? Surely something can be done… I hope my semi-aggressive tone doesn’t upset anyone, being a survivor of cancer and seeing the beautiful pictures of her lying in the bed with that huge grin makes my heart swell and I just refuse to believe that something so full of life doesn’t have at least one more card up her sleeve. Please respond to this, please email me (that goes to keith or any of the other members) we have to be able to pull something off, my heart tells me so. eric (at) visiblycreative.com
With much love and hope still….
Eric Mayfield
Mikaela, you are so brave and inspiring! My heart breaks that you have run out of options for treatment. I pray fervently that your time left will be filled with love and precious memories and that you will have no pain. God bless you and Keith and your friends and family! May He bring you peace that passes all understanding. ❤
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Mikaela. Peace be with you.
Mikaela is so lucky to have you fighting for her, and you are so lucky to have such a bright light in your life. I am so sad that the two of you are going through this. I wish that I was there to hug both of you but since I can’t, will send some comforting Reiki love.
I started following this blog around Easter time. I am still in shock from reading this final blog post. I dated a girl that was part of ADPI, and knowing how outstanding of a person she is, I can only imagine how outstanding Mikaela is and how well she embodies all the personal and life values of a great sister, wife, daughter and friend to many. Mikaela’s journey is unfathomable but the bright side of all of it is that she has an incredibly pure soul and heart, which has filled many people with joy and happiness, including the ~500k petitioners. The petition in and of itself was an enormously positive legacy to leave behind to the benefit of others that face similar situations. Mikaela will always be remembered for her beauty, intellect and outgoing personality.
I want to share a homily I heard yesterday from Bishop Yanta from San Antonio, Texas. He was talking about carrying our crosses. He said we must all be thankful for the sicknesses that we get that God has allowed those that are sick to have. He said, “especailly those suffering from cancer”. He went on to explain why. He said, as the one that is sick sees that they are not getting better they are then given time to prepare. Not prepare as to what is left to do on earth, but to prepare our heart, mind & soul to meet our Savior. God blessed these individuals more so than those that are healthy & live in sin or those that die unexpectly. God loves you and he wants you to prepare your soul & make any amends that need to be made so you can enjoy eternal life w/ Him. There is no better gift that Mikaela could receive from God than this time that he had given her to prepare to meet her maker. What better gift than to know she will be dancing w/ the Angels in Heaven & resting in the arms of our loving Savior for eternal life. God bless you Keith. You, Mikaela & all your family will be in our prayers. I too am so sorry for your suffering.
Amen
What an amazing journey of love and fearless pursuit of a cure. May you find comfort in knowing what a difference you have made in the world….both of you! Sending love and prayers.
I pray for peace and comfort to this grieving family. For Mikeala, I pray for traveling mercies as you journey from this life to the next.
Peace to you both.
This just broke my heart. Your determination with the petition and Mikaela’s courage have been such a touching inspiring to me and so many. May your time together be filled with love for your hearts, peace for your minds, and comfort for your souls ❤ Mikaela will always be remembered.
God Bless you and your family. We are keeping you and Mikaela in our family’s thoughts and prayers. Your love, passion and humor has inspired me as we fight my husband battle with stage 4 colon cancer. So saddened to read this final update. May God give you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Prayers and Peace.
Love & prayers to all of you.
I am sorry i did not discover the petition in time. Hopefully, the both of you will only grow stronger.
May you both find strength in the thoughts and prayers of everyone touched by your journey.
She had more LOVE in her short life with a wonderful husband like you, than most will have in a full life time. Praying for a peaceful transition, until you two meet again.
Be strong Keith! Life has so many obstacles but so many joys. She is lucky to have a husband who cares that much to be next and with her during this difficult journey. And frankly, I still hope that there is one last stroke of hope. What if the drug is given and it miraculously takes affect. Be prepared for the worst but hope for the best.
I recently lost a child and hoped until the final moments that it would not happen. Stayed in bed to prevent any detrimental movement. Sometimes, no matter what we do, nothing can be done. I understand your frustration with medicine. Liability, liability, liability and “that perfect study without skewed results” matters more than the life of an individual. But, you know that you have done everything you can to support your wife and that matters a lot.
Amazing…you are in prayers and thoughts. What a beautiful to bus you are that for sharing..
There was nothing noble about big pharma. They had nothing to lose and still no response; all they care about is money and patents. The love of money truly is the root of all evil. What profits a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul. Take heart dear ones, the morning will come again.
Dearest Keith & Mikaela, I’m so sorry to hear of this news. I also have been heartbroken by cancer, and have lost a young loved one to it. Time does heal your heart, but daily your reminded by it’s horror on how it can take a young abled body life and destroy yours. I prayed daily for her, in the hope’s that, that company would’ve had compassion for Mikaela at least, because your whole lives were ahead of you’s. I hate to say it, but maybe, just maybe, one person that works for that company will be put in your same situation, and face it also. I really had hoped for a better outcome. I pray for your healing, your wonderful generous heart, and allowing us to be by her side with you both in spirit. My heart is truly broken for you and your families, and anyone who loved her. God speed Keith, and may your creator, and Mikaela hold you close during your pain. – Jennifer Vetterneck