LAURA: HERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS. A DES MOINES TEEN BATTLING CANCER FOR THE SIXTH TIME WILL NOW BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE TREATMENT HE NEEDS THAT IS BECAUSE IN THE LAST 48 HOURS, THE COMMUNITY HAS RAISE MORE THAN $40,000 FOR KONNER MONGAR THROUGH A GOFUNDME PAGE. THE 18-YEAR-OLD HAS BEEN BATTLING LEUKEMIA SINCE HE WAS TWO YEARS OLD, AND HE IS OUT OF OPTIONS. THIS IS VIDEO FROM 2005 WHEN KCCI DID A STORY ON KONNER DOCTORS NOW SAY HIS ORGANS ARE TOO WEAK FOR CHEMOTHERAPY. HIS FAMILY HAS BEEN DESPERATELY TRYING TO GET HIM INTO AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FACILITY IN ARIZONA IT IS THE LAST OPTION LEFT BUT IT IS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE AND COSTS $40,000. THANKS TO GENEROUS DONORS, MANY OF THEM KCCI VIEWERS, KONNER NOW HAS THE FUNDS. >> WE WERE JUST SITTING HERE WATCHING THE NUMBER GROW AND IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE HOW FAST THE SUPPORT CAME IN ONCE THE STORY WAS AIRED. HE IS AMAZED. WE ARE JUST GRATEFUL. LAURA: AN ANONYMOUS DONOR DONATED THE LAST $13,000 TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. THE FAMILY IS HOPING TO GO TO ARIZONA TOMORROW BECAUSE TIM
Anonymous donor gives $13K for teen’s experimental cancer treatment
Updated: 11:10 PM CST Dec 13, 2020
On Saturday, KCCI shared the story of Konner Mongar, an 18-year-old who was diagnosed with cancer for the sixth time. Since the story aired, the family’s GoFundMe page has reached its goal of $40,000. On Sunday night, an anonymous donor gave $13,000 to help make that goal. Over the years, KCCI has covered Konner’s story. In 2005, when Konner was 4 years old, we shared how the community rallied around him during his first battle with cancer.”Konner’s story is inspiring,” said Brandon Thomas, Konner’s brother-in-law. “He is the most brave and courageous person I know.”In September, Konner was diagnosed with leukemia again. Since it’s his sixth time fighting cancer, doctors said they’re concerned about chemo treatments since radiation had deteriorated his vital organs.After consulting medical professionals, Konner’s family found an experimental treatment through a medical center in Scottsdale that wouldn’t harm his organs.Six weeks of treatment would cost the family $40,000 and the first week is $10,000 in order to start the trial. Insurance won’t cover the treatment.”We are hoping to take him Monday, but need as much help as we can to get to cover expenses,” said Thomas. “He refuses to give up and has the mental strength to defeat this once and for all.”
DES MOINES, Iowa —
On Saturday, KCCI shared the story of Konner Mongar, an 18-year-old who was diagnosed with cancer for the sixth time.
Since the story aired, the family’s GoFundMe page has reached its goal of $40,000. On Sunday night, an anonymous donor gave $13,000 to help make that goal.
Over the years, KCCI has covered Konner’s story. In 2005, when Konner was 4 years old, we shared how the community rallied around him during his first battle with cancer.
“Konner’s story is inspiring,” said Brandon Thomas, Konner’s brother-in-law. “He is the most brave and courageous person I know.”
In September, Konner was diagnosed with leukemia again. Since it’s his sixth time fighting cancer, doctors said they’re concerned about chemo treatments since radiation had deteriorated his vital organs.
After consulting medical professionals, Konner’s family found an experimental treatment through a medical center in Scottsdale that wouldn’t harm his organs.
Six weeks of treatment would cost the family $40,000 and the first week is $10,000 in order to start the trial. Insurance won’t cover the treatment.
“We are hoping to take him Monday, but need as much help as we can to get to cover expenses,” said Thomas. “He refuses to give up and has the mental strength to defeat this once and for all.”