Today we're launching our Care site for Michael Stephan and his family.

You may know Mike from his work at the Potawatomi Wildlife Park where he's been the Park Manager since 1991. You might know Mike from his time as a Scout Leader over the years, even his Astronomy club involvement and church involvement.  He might be a friend, a relative, or someone who you just met because of a friend or relative.

No matter how you came here, you're welcome and your help is needed. 

Here are the details currently as we understand them:

• This spring Mike was not well, fighting bouts of pneumonia and illness.
• After realizing it wasn't COVID or anything else, some scans were done and in the week of April 19th, Mike's doctors found masses on his Kidneys and a large one on his liver. 
• A biopsy was taken and the results on April 27th showed it was likely Cholangiocarcinoma, a very rare and aggressive cancer. 
• Mike is currently at the 

• Currently, because of COVID, no one can visit, even his family cannot visit him.
• He is expected to get Chemo starting the week of May 4th 
• Yet this week he will be getting a port, a PET scan, and will determine if they can operate.
• Mike is incredibly weak and miserable having been sickly all spring. 

This is where we're at. 

The Stephan family has had it tough. Sharon Stephan Mike's wife was diagnosed with a rare cancer Multiple Myeloma back in May 2005. We know numbers are just numbers. Sharon had bad odds and yet she has fought and 15 years later is here and supporting Mike a lot during this time. 

The odds can be beaten, and I want to make that clear. 

Mike & Sharon also have two children, Zoee and Wyatt Stephan. 

Zoee just graduated Penn State University in December and Wyatt will graduate Purdue University this coming winter in December. They've had a tough time as well, dealing with the shadow of cancer in their family for a long time. But they are awesome and great kids who have always worked hard to help their family. They still are, and during this COVID time, God has blessed both of them to be there helping their family. 

How You Can Help:

1. Pray.
   They are Christians and know that God has the power to do all things. The odds are tough, and a miracle is what is needed. We ask you to pray in detail, including;
       Pray For: 
   
   • Complete and absolute cure and 'remission' of this cancer. We know the Lord can do it.
   • Wisdom for the doctors and amazing doctors and nurses to be on this case.
   • If cancer must be, then pray it is operatable, and Chemo shrinks and removes it entirely.
   • If there are any experimental studies or drugs, Mike can take them, and they remove cancer.
   • Mike to feel better physically.
   • Mike to be positive, and to be encouraged, not slipping into despair. 
   • Mike to keep strong and grow closer to the Lord spiritually during this dessert. 
   • Pray for Sharon to keep strong, healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually and to be an encouragement.
   • Pray for Sharon's cancer, we still believe in a cure. 
   • Pray for Wyatt and Zoee as they help and wrestle with this situation now, with both parents having cancer.
   • Ask for God's blessing on the entire family. 
2. Join this Care group to get updates.
   This care group is the main place we'll be giving updates. All the latest will be posted here. Please sign up and accept notifications. There is even a mobile app you can download and use. 
   You'll need to click, "FOLLOW" to get updates. 
3. Encourage.
   These are hard and dark times, and they all need encouragement.
   • Call Mike and encourage him (contact below).
   • We know this is awkward, so read this article, "How to be a Friend to Someone With Cancer"
   • Encourage and speak with Sharon and the kids. 
   • Let them know you're praying for them, and the details of those prayers.
   • Let Mike and them control the conversation, if they're busy or unwell, they will tell you, don't take it personally or as a reason not to talk again.
   • Help them not feel isolated.
4. Volunteer.
   There are a thousand and one things that need to be done. Whether local to them or remote consider;
   • Help taking Mike to Chemo treatments/rides
   • Help out around the Potawatomi Wildlife Park, mowing trails, etc..
   • Help them understand insurance issues, etc...
   • Help them with medical complexities
   • Bring food, any items they might need
   • When it is possible, visit, spend time, take watch.
   • Take a load off Mike and his family
   • Lead part of this Care group, spearhead something.
5. Help Financially.
   We've set-up a GoFundMe, you can check it out here. We're trying to raise $50k to cover medical and other costs that they'll need (that we know of) for this journey.
   FYI: The 'Tribute' is giving money for CaringBridge, not to Mike. It's fine if you want to give to it. The site is free and a great cause. But I wanted to give clarification.  
6. Share.
   • If you know of others who know Mike, share this group with them.
   • If you have prayer warriors in your life, share this group with them.
   • If you have people with the gift of encouragement, share this group with them.
   • You get the idea; we need a community of support.

About me, I'm Mark Stephan, the brother of Mike. I wrote this update and will continue to help out. If you ever need me, reach out to me via my contact below. 


Contact Information:
You can call or text, but sometimes it's easier to text if you need a quick response. At the moment Mike isn't responding to texts. 

• Mike Stephan Cell: (for the moment, reach out through the below)
• Sharon Stephan Cell:+1 (574) 268-7120; text is best. 
• Zoee Stephan Cell: +1 (574) 551-1835; text is best. 
• Wyatt Stephan Cell: +1 (574) 549-4418; text is best. 
• Mark Stephan Cell: +1 (512) 415-2995; text is best.