Beating Back Cancer, One Smile At a Time
Geoff has lived in the Chicagoland area most of his life and is the quintessential Midwestern man. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico, he came back to the North Shore. The cold winters could not keep him away.
“It amazes me when people who grew up in the Midwest still react poorly during the first few snowfalls- — I mean, they should be used to it by now!” he said.
It was during his time as a Lobo at the University of New Mexico that Geoff met his wife, all thanks to the introduction from a friend. For decades they’ve been each other’s rocks. These days, Geoff and his wife put their energy toward their four young grandchildren, all under the age of 12.
“We’re not as active as we used to be,” Geoff said. “Though we still love to take our bikes out and go for a ride. Family is very important to us.”
With the support of his family, Geoff stays diligent in tracking his health. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, but thanks to a team of doctors and effective treatment, Geoff’s quality of life has improved.
“[Thanks to my treatment], my prostate-specific antigen level is back down to almost negligible,” he said. “If I follow what the doctor says, I will continue to not have any problems.”
When Geoff was first diagnosed, the cost of treatment was just as frightening to him as the cancer itself.
“When I saw the cost, I said, ‘we are going to need to skip that treatment,’” he said. “There was no way I had an extra $25–30,000 each year for a drug.”
Through the help of his doctor, Geoff found The Assistance Fund’s (TAF’s) Prostate Cancer Copay Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs for prescribed FDA-approved treatment, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.
“I am grateful to have the assistance of an excellent doctor and TAF,” Geoff said. “I can’t change the fact that I have cancer, but what I can do is be positive and proactive.”
One thing cancer doesn’t impact is Geoff’s attitude. With the peace of mind that comes with knowing he can afford his critical treatment, Geoff can look ahead to watching his peewee players turn into star athletes.
“It doesn’t help to sit around and stew about it,” he said. “I might as well move forward.”
