November 24th, 2001
Thanks.
Thanks for your messages, and all your support. It really means a lot to us.
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Bone marrow donors are desperately needed nationwide. Please consider becoming a registered bone marrow donor. You can read more at the FAQ on the National Marrow Donor Program's website.
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Craig's treatments are more than insurance will pay. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo to the Craig Brandmeier Fund. You can also send support though PayPal.
Hey I don’t know what to say but I will be praying for you and your family. I hope you know Jesus
b/c if you do than there will never be an end. This is just a reminder to me to live my life to the fullest. But there is a much better place than this, heaven.
Wait – upon further reflection I just realized that I was mistaken about the hair twirling…it was GARY that twirled his hair! I just had to clear your name Craig
Lia
oh Craig – and to Kat and all of the Brandemeiers… I know you from long ago, when I had the privilege of being babysat by Judy and playing in the playroom and eating quesadillas and cookie cakes…and Kat I don’t know you personally but I know that you are an amazing person because of your love and support of Craig and his of you.
I remember Craig as a boy of elementary school age, a few years younger than me and so sweet and cute – and an ace at Atari. Way better than me. Well, that isn’t saying much. He used to twirl his hair with his fingers until it was all knotted! Craig I will always remember you as an energetic, happy, awesome person – one of the good ones. I feel privileged to have known you in the past and to share in your recent story of bravery and perseverance.
My husband and I are going to look into being marrow donors. May peace be with all of you and you should know that you are making a difference in people’s lives and that you will always be with us.
Love,
Lia
I watched your episode on True Life and I wanted to express to you how much you have touch my heart! You are definitely someone who has touched so many lives and are an excellent example of what true courage is. I will be praying for you and your family. Your marriage is something that is only written in fairy tales. The love and support you each provide one another is something that I look up to in my own marriage. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your entire family. God Bless.
Craig, Kat & all of the Brandmeiers…
You are now and have always been in our thoughts. Please let us know if you are in need of anything.
Ron, Cindy & Ryan
Tonight I saw your episode on True Life. I thought it was amazing that you shared your story like that. I wanted to find out how you were doing now, and I’m so sorry to hear the terrible news. I wish you and your family all the best. Just know you made a lot of people’s lives better!
Lots of love from the Netherlands
Dear Craig,
I saw today your episode on MTV’s True Life. I would like to thank you for sharing your story with us. So sad to read this post of you though..
My heart is with you!
Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your story. You are in my thoughts here in Norway.
A-H
Hello Craig,
I don’t know if you read this? I know about you from Kat’s friend Sara. I was excited to hear you were so brave to try for the BMT, I watched your spot on MTV. I am also a Leukemia cancer survivor and recently diagnosed with 2 brain tumors as a result. One was removed and the other started growing again. It was treated in December and I hoped we could share recovery! Though it was painful to hear of your current status, you have left a legacy of inspiration and are now leaving one of courage. Your life is not over.
I know the hard times and tough times will still come. You have wonderful family and friends around you to keep you strong, don’t be afraid to turn to them. It was my wife that gave me something to live for in my darkest moments and I have to believe that your wife Kat is just as special to you! The end will come to us all; I only hope to live as ‘gracefully’ as you have. Thank you Craig for the tremendous gift you have given to us all. My Grams used to say this to me “May God be your buckler.”
Hey Craig, it’s Kidd. I wish I had the words but I just don’t. Once again, anything you or your family needs just let me know. You’re in my thoughts my friend.
Craig,this is the user(or should I say troll),from Justin.Tv. I just wanted to stop by and say Im sorry that I trolled on you when you were on Justin.Tv.Even thought I didnt mock you,or you’re disease(I was mainly talking about Kobe and Michael Jordan for the heck of getting banned and making multiple accounts).I,despite my trolling,wish you no physical and mental harm.In fact,I wish you and your family the best of luck and God’s blessings.After I was banned several times,I stuck around to watch your vlog,and I was amazed by your level of bravery.So much so,that I deeply regret the little amount of time that I caused you discomfort by making multiple accounts.To stare death in the face,and not blink,is by far the bravest thing anyone can do.I wish you the best of luck in your fight against cancer,and I will keep you in my prayers.
God Bless,Jesse.
To Craig and his beautiful family, I have marveled the last year and a half over your love, spirit, and courage. So many are privileged to have known you. My sister Sandi died in 2001 after an unsuccessful lung transplant. The months leading up to her getting the call that a lung was available gave us all hope and made her last months with us wonderful. I know that donors can give this kind of hope and comfort, even if the donation fails in the end. Craig, through your making your disease public and encouraging donations, you are helping innumerable families. This shall be your legacy. Thank you, Craig.
Dear Craig and Kat,
Our hearts and prayers go out to both of you. You have shown everyone what a wonderful and courageous couple you are. We love your Mom and Dad and know God will give you all the strength you need to go through this. We will continue to pray for all of you.
Love,
Jim and Shirley Needham
Craig
I don’t even know what to say. It breaks my heart to think of what you are all going through right now. You seem to be so strong inside that makes all this so much harder. I was so glad to have been able to know you and see you grow up over the years. I have enjoyed so much the events at your house (and your mum’s great cooking)over the years, and it was great to see such a loving and happy family. I have never met Kat but have heard a lot about her from Judy and she is obviously a great gal. You two were so lucky to find each other and have, even if only short, time together. There are many things that you will not get the chance to do, but realize that you have touched so many lives in a number of different ways, and that makes the world a better place.
Marion and Jack Huiberts
I’m still praying for you. You have made me realize what is important in my own life, I thank you for that.
Although our prayers have not been answered as we wish they had, I do not think they were in vain. You and all your family have been so strong and brave throughout this unspeakable nightmare, and I humbly think that knowing how many people have been praying and expressing love and support has helped in some measure. Craig, God weeps with you and your family; please believe that. And God will continue to support and comfort your family in the future.
I love you truly,
Katrina Soto
I’m really bad at saying the right thing when it really matters. So I will just say this…I love you and your family SO much. So much that my heart grows a little bit bigger every time I think of you all. And I can’t thank you enough for that.
I selfishly wish that we had more time together. I want you to know that I am SO proud of the man you’ve become and feel blessed to have been given the gift of knowing you. You’ve always put a smile on my face and words can’t thank you enough for that.
I love you, Craig Brandmeier. With all of my heart. I promise to always have a smile on my face every time I think of you and I promise to continue to love and support your family as if they are my blood.
Love,
Your sister from another mister
Craig, You are an incrediable man!! So beautiful inside and out. Kat you are surrounded by love even by people you haven’t even met.
All of our love,
Charlie, Sandy & Daniel
All my hope and prayer goes out to you. You are very courageous. I don’t know you, but I know that you are loved very deeply by those around you.
WOW Craig ! ! You and Kat have so much courage. I don’t see how you do it ! And you ARE leaving the world a better place, but we don’t want you to go yet. You can have a miracle and still the world will be a better place because of you having gone so public with your fight and treatments. Love, Judy and Wayne NH
Craig and Kat,
I am soooooo sorry to hear the latest news! I think of you both daily. I want you both to know along with your family that you are in my prayers and whatever I can do to spead the word here in KY regarding education of becoming a donor I will do!!
Craig, you are truly a remarkable and brave person sharing your story with the public. Taking something so private and turning into reality of how horrible this disease can be is truly awesome of you!!
Kat, you are truly a remarkable person!! Now a days people would not stand by their spouse during this diffcult time and you are awesome!! You have shown the world that compassion and love still exists!!
Love to you both!!
~Jackie
Hi Craig and Kat,
Cancer’s messed up. I’m so sorry that the two of you and your families have gone through all of this. I’m so glad that you guys have each other. Craig, I hope that you have a happy and peaceful journey…I’ll be looking for you on the other side. Kat, you will carry your love for Craig as a torch in your heart forever. No matter what happens, his love will always burn there…I promise.
Love,
Brandi (Mt. Hood RN)
Craig, your parents have been my friends for over 15 years. It began as a working relationship. In 2001 I was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer, the prognosis was 65% recurrance. Your parents were and to this day still are, a support and encuragement in my life. They became involved with an event called RELAY FOR LIFE and later brouht together a team of walkers for you! They walked during the day and night, as a support to so many affected by cancer. Their dedication to help find a cure for all and any cancer has been present in their actions not just words. Their constant love, their pride is and will always be in you. Brad would say to me, if I ever had to deal with it, I don’t know if I could. You have been his strenghth in your fight. Through your ordeal as well as mine, they have taken on a task to continue on in all that they have, to honor you today and always. You are greatly loved. The fact that you were willing to share such a personal journey to the world, will in fact help find a cure one day.
Craig-thank you for sharing your story and I am so sorry that you have had to live this nightmare. Praying every day for you and Kat for strength, comfort and yes healing. God bless you and your family.
Love you both!!! Liana