Family Sponsorship – 5

Luke Tanis grew up in a small town in Michigan with his parents and 3 brothers with a love of sports, cars and family.  Since high school, Luke has worked for his uncle as a truck driver.  He is a Christ follower who is strong in his faith, an amazing husband to his wife Erin, and a father of 5 beautiful children – Layne (10), Harper (9), Rylee (6), Maverick (4), and Cruz (2).

In the summer of 2017, Luke was not feeling well with symptoms of chest pain and blurred vision.  After a lengthy process for answers, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung cancer, which had metastasized to his lungs, lymph nodes, adrenal glands and bones.  This is where his journey began.

The Tanis family has been implementing a healthy lifestyle thanks to Erin’s passion and interest in researching and providing healthy living and natural remedies for their family.  After lots of prayer and discussion, the decision was made to move forward with an integrative treatment plan.

Luke and Erin immersed themselves into the research, extensively studying his diagnosis and effectiveness of natural treatments.  With the additional guidance of an integrative oncologist, they designed a stringent care protocol.

Immediately, Luke started an extremely strict diet, exercise regimen, daily juicing, high dose IV vitamin C, acupuncture, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, whole body hyperthermia through infrared sauna, detoxification, mistletoe injections, PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy), and he takes a substantial amount of supplements.  In January 2018, Luke started a targeted therapy which is a cancer treatment that attacks the cancer cells but not the normal cells.  Through God’s grace and the continuous prayers, the scan in July 2018 showed no evidence of cancer and the lesions in his bones are healing.  Following scans throughout the year showed the same results.

However, in October 2019, an MRI confirmed the cancer had moved to his brain even though his body was cancer free.  As a result, Luke started taking off label pharmaceuticals, a protocol they found in their research.  In January 2020, a repeat MRI showed that the cancer in the brain is shrinking.  Fast forward to May 2020 and a routine MRI showed evidence of Leptomeningeal enhancement or the cancer moved to his cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and a spinal tap in July 2020 confirmed.  This is a rare and serious cancer.  In September 2020, Luke experienced a couple seizures and a MRI showed the leptomeningeal had spread.  They changed up protocols and his latest scan in November 2020 showed the leptomeningeal is near complete resolution.  Praise God!

Most of what Luke is doing to treat his cancer is not considered “standard of care” or “conventional” and therefore is costly and not covered by insurance.

The purpose of these added treatments is to help the body heal itself, not just kill the cancer.  Luke has been on this  intense routine for the last 3 years and it doesn’t look like it will lighten up any time soon.  He is focused and driven by his love for Christ, his family and life.  We are all continuously amazed at his unceasing determination to fight this fight.  He is truly a hero.

Luke and Erin will continue to research and explore treatments to attack his cancer.  With their knowledge, they have also been able to help others going through the same trials.  Throughout their journey they have felt God’s unfailing mercy and amazing grace.  As we continue to pray for Luke’s complete healing, we want to thank you for your continued prayers and support.