An experienced delivery driver, 37 year old Patrick Herr knew how to navigate busy roads and daily routines. But in August 2023, Patrick and his family hit an unexpected roadblock. Just like a sudden detour on his familiar route, cancer stopped Patrick in his tracks, forcing him to confront a path he never planned to take.
After a routine doctor’s appointment showed irregular bloodwork, Patrick underwent an ultrasound, PET scan, and biopsy. On October 12, he was diagnosed with Stage IIB Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, meaning cancer had spread to two of his lymph nodes.
Patrick hoped to keep working while undergoing chemotherapy, but his employer was unwilling to accommodate a modified schedule. He was granted FMLA but eventually lost his job, and with it, the healthcare benefits his family depended on.
The Fight Begins
Less than two weeks after his diagnosis, Patrick began extremely harsh bi-weekly chemotherapy treatments that lasted until early December. While the initial treatments seemed promising, a mid-February scan revealed the cancer wasn’t responding as expected. Doctors pivoted, performing surgery and starting new treatments, including immunotherapy mixed with chemotherapy.
Through it all, the Herr’s worked hard to stay afloat. Friends provided meals and organized fundraisers, but as Patrick’s wife, Keri, shared, “Friends and family can only buy so many sub sandwiches.” By early 2024, Patrick’s FMLA and short-term disability had expired, and by May the family was relying on government assistance.
“We honestly thought we were okay, we had savings and a strong support system, but the amount of time and effort cancer takes from you is overwhelming,” Keri explained.
Turning to Vickie’s Angel Foundation
As the family struggled with bills and mounting stress, Keri finally reached out to Vickie’s Angel Foundation, omething she wishes she had done sooner.
“I was amazed. It was less than a week after we submitted our application that we heard from the Foundation,” she said. “At the end of our first conversation, we actually had hope that we would not be financially ruined by the time this was over.”
VAF quickly stepped in to help with mortgage payments, car payments, car insurance, and utility bills, so they could focus on healing.
Hope Through Stem Cell Transplant
Doctors were eventually able to harvest Patrick’s stem cells, an extraordinary process that doesn’t work for everyone. In Patrick’s case, doctors collected 24 million stem cells, enough to use what he needed, freeze some for the future, and donate the rest to another patient in need.
“It was amazing to see how horrible he was and how great he got,” Keri said. She credited the Hershey Cancer Center for excellent care and support, and called Patrick “a champ” for enduring the grueling process.
Still, cancer remained relentless. After his stem cell transplant, Patrick’s immune system was as vulnerable as a newborn’s. He needed round-the-clock care, which meant Keri couldn’t work either. The Herrs’ leaned on Vickie’s Angel Foundation again, and Keri summed it up best: “The Foundation really is a beacon of hope.”
Finding Light in the Darkness
Support from VAF didn’t just ease financial stress, it also brought joy during difficult times. The Herrs’ Christmas was brightened with gifts for their sons, 12-year-old Lucas and 6-year-old Jackson.
“The Vickie’s Angel Foundation Christmas party was a big hit with our family,” Keri shared. Meeting Santa and connecting with other families gave them memories that strengthened their spirits.
A Rebirth and a New Role
On October 2, 2024, Patrick celebrated his “Rebirth Day,” the day of his stem cell transplant. As of February 2025, his cancer is officially in remission.
This summer, Patrick is proudly back on the field, coaching both of his sons’ baseball teams. To his family, and to the community around him, Patrick is more than a survivor. He is a role model, a father, and a shining example of faith, resilience, and the power of support.