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"I am a leaf on the wind... Watch how I soar."

Kevin "Wash" Pratt-King passed away just before midnight on September 11, 2012, after fighting well and bravely for 35 months against the monster Glioblastoma Multiforme. Thank you to all who have loved and supported Wash and his courageous wife Tashi, to all who have respected Wash's wishes, and to all who continue to hold them both in the light. "This song is ending. But the story never ends. We will sing to you... The universe will sing you to your sleep."
Wash Pratt-King has terminal brain cancer. Help save the time he and his wife have left.

In March 2009, he and his wife Tashi got married; 3 weeks later Wash began showing symptoms of an unexplained illness, misdiagnosed as depression. In October 2009, Wash suffered a grand-mal seizure which revealed a Glioblastoma Multiforme - brain cancer - on Tashi's 23rd birthday. Tashi cares for Wash full-time, and as a result hasn't been able to work. Insurance has repeatedly attempted to drop Wash from coverage, despite his ongoing need for expensive care, and as a result they're broke. Their time left together is short. A little bit of financial help goes a long way in scary times. Help them get by day to day, and donate to his end-of-life services & memorial.
ABOUT Who are Tashi & Wash? Why do they need help?
LEARN What is Glioblastoma Multiforme?
SPREAD THE WORD Share with your friends, help get the word out
Tashi & Wash


FRAK CANCER.

Wash and Tashi are an Arizona couple who married in 2009, just weeks before Wash began to show symptoms of what was later diagnosed as terminal brain cancer, at only 25 years old. With treatment, Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) usually leads to death within 9-12 months. Wash has now dealt with the debilitating aftermath of this cancer for more than two years. He began home hospice care in January 2012.

Because they are both fully immersed in geek culture, Tashi has recently embarked on a search to make one of Wash's final wishes come true: she is seeking a one-of-a-kind Doctor Who-themed TARDIS urn. Graciously, Regretsy organized the search for an artist to make the urn, as well as funds to pay for the production.

Since his diagnosis, Tashi has been Wash's primary caregiver. At just 25 years old, Tashi has spent the past two years of her life providing Wash around the clock care. Because of the severity of Wash's diagnosis and its degenerative effects, she has been unable to work outside the home. They currently survive on state support and assistance programs, but are barely able to make ends meet. Hospice expenses and impending memorial costs have put further stress on this young couple. This fundraiser was created to ease some of the financial strain Tashi and Wash are under during this delicate time.


HOW WILL THE MONEY BE USED?

Wash and Tashi are facing the very hard reality that comes with end-of-life care. Money raised by the Commune Cares will be used to cover costs associated with hospice and memorial care, outstanding and upcoming medical expenses, hospital services and other extraneous costs like rent and living expenses. The fund will be administered by a third party and be overseen by both Wash and Tashi and the creators.

Because The Commune Cares is not an official non-profit organization, donations are not tax deductible. We abide by all applicable US tax guidelines. We hope that this doesn't deter people from contributing to this great cause, because regardless of the amount given, every donation goes towards a great couple who really needs the support.

WHO CREATED THIS FUNDRAISER?

We're a close-knit group of Tashi's friends from around the world that came together through various internet communities to coordinate the fundraiser. Since their wedding and Wash's subsequent diagnosis, we've accompanied the couple on their journey. We wanted to be able to do more to support our two dear friends through this extremely difficult time. In honor of their third wedding anniversary (Pi Day), we launched the fundraiser online. It is a running joke among the group that in an ideal world, we'd all live together on a commune. "The Commune Cares" seemed a logical (and funny in-joke) name to pick for our fund drive.

GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME. IT'S BIGGER ON THE INSIDE.

LETHAL, AGGRESSIVE BRAIN CANCER.

Globlastoma Multiforme is the most invasive, aggressive type of brain cancer. It carries a prognosis generally measured in months rather than years.

NO CLEAR CAUSATION.

It's not clear why it occurs. For unknown reasons, it's more common among men. No links have been found between Glioblastoma and smoking, food additives, or electromagnetic fields. It just happens. In Europe and North America it happens to 2-3 in every 100,000 people.

TREATMENT IS BRUTAL.

Surgery is a first course of action for aggressive brain tumors. When not operable, radiation and chemotherapy are the fallbacks.
SEIZURES
MEMORY LOSS
DEPRESSION
APHASIA
NAUSEA
BLINDNESS
WEAKNESS
SEVERE FATIGUE

PRESS & SHARING

The support from the geek community has been overwhelming - both in donations and emotional support. We've made all of this information available as a downloadable PDF as well.
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