MILTON — Milton resident Ken Parker learned earlier this month that he has throat cancer. Now his daughter, Melissa Moore, wants to spread awareness.
“Friday, Nov. 4 was a day that changed not only his life but (also) the lives of his entire family,” Moore stated on gofundme.com, which hosts a fundraising page to help her father pay for medical expenses.
Initially, the 56-year-old visited a family doctor with a sore throat. However, his diagnosis did not occur until after visiting a Pace health clinic.
“When I had the sore throat, I thought something was wrong, but I wasn’t sure why it sore for so long,” Parker said. “I sort of anticipated (it being cancer) but I was still shocked.”
A biopsy performed last week showed the father of three and grandfather of seven has squamous cell carcinoma — the most common form of throat cancer in the United States, according to cancercenter.org.
It “develops in the thin, flat cells that line much of the throat,” the site states. “These cells look scale-like when checked under a microscope.”
Parker said he would soon find out which stage the cancer is in, along with how far it has spread. He expects to know more following a Nov. 28 doctor’s visit.
At this time, the fundraising account has accumulated more than $500 from friends and family; the goal is $5,000. Parker, who has health insurance, said he appreciates the donations, especially with not knowing how much medical visits and treatments will cost.
“It’s nice to know that people care,” he said.
In addition to starting the website, Moore has shown support by quitting smoking. Parker — who started smoking at age 14 — and his wife, Tina, have also quit following his diagnosis.
Further, Moore is participating in events like the American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and she wants to start a nonprofit organization that can help people with throat cancer pay for medical expenses.
“It’s just an idea I am working on and one of several things I am dabbling in right now,” she said. “I am trying to find where I can do the most good.”
Park said he is proud of his daughter’s efforts.
“If what she is doing helps other people, that is great. God bless her for that,” Parker said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'God bless her'