About Aaron
Aaron Reibe was born in Longview, Washington twenty-eight years ago.
On October 22, 2007, Aaron, our friend, brother, and son, was diagnosed
with a rare and invasive cancer. Aaron immediately chose the most aggressive
treatment options available to him.
Aaron was born and raised in Longview, Washington and graduated from Mark Morris
High School in 1997. In 1998, Aaron started his studies at Washington
State University and joined the Sigma
Chi Fraternity. It was there in Pullman that many of us
asking for your help first met Aaron Reibe. With
apologies to those who gave him the name, most
of us dropped the "Aaron" and settled on "Reibe",
a unique name for our one-of-a-kind friend and
brother.
Diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma
Peritonei (PMP), Aaron faces a rare stage four cancer
affecting the entire abdominal cavity. His cancer began on the appendix and created
musin. The musin contains cancerous cells. The musin floats throughout the abdominal
cavity adhering to all surfaces it encounters, creating more tumors, which create
more musin. Over the course of time, these tumors grow in the abdominal cavity
taking up valuable space, calcifying, and strangling organs. If unchecked, the
organs will fail, causing death.
Aaron graduated in 2001 with a business
degree, but it was his involvement with Sigma Chi that marked his time at WSU.
For three semesters, Aaron served as Quaestor, the treasurer and business manager
of the house. He was the recipient of the Balfor Award, which is given to the
graduating senior who has contributed the most to the fraternity during his time.
Aaron remains in contact with many of his fraternity brothers.
Currently there are about 200 PMP patients in the US. Due to its rarity, there
is no treatment protocol. Aaron chose the most aggressive recommended procedure
available. Without the surgery, Aaron's life expectancy was less than a year.
With the aggressive surgery and continual monitoring the average PMP patient
lives 5.9 years after surgery. In 50% of patients, PMP reoccurs after surgery,
requiring a more extensive surgery that further diminishes quality of life.
Upon graduation, Aaron was recruited by Sunstone
Hotels and placed as a Hotel
Manager in San Diego, CA. After working for 5 years in San Diego Aaron decided
to resettle in the Northwest to be closer to his family and friends. One month
into his job search and just two weeks after completing the Portland
Marathon,
Aaron's cancer was discovered.
On January 2, 2008, Aaron entered Mercy
Medical Center in Baltimore, MD for a
15-hour surgery by Dr. Armando Sardi. Aaron's surgery entailed removing the appendix,
spleen, gall bladder, 60% of the stomach, and parts of his bladder, large and
small intestine, diaphragm, and liver. Eleven pounds of cancerous material was
removed. He has a 15-inch vertical scar that required 74 staples. In the spring,
he will have course of chemotherapy at 3-week intervals for 6 months. Aaron's
ability to process nutrients is impaired. To sustain life Aaron must stay in
close contact with his doctors, take supplements, and carefully monitor his eating
and activities. Because Aaron was unemployed at the time, he did not have insurance.
Medical bills to date are estimated at $120,000. Please join us in raising
funds for Aaron's Life.
Thank you on behalf of Aaron, his family, and friends.
