Urgent: Help My Brother Nathan Fight Glioblastoma

My name is  Michaela Gritz, and I’m fundraising for my brother,  Nathan Elijah Iodice, from  Kenosha, Wisconsin. Nathan is a loving husband and the proud father of  four beautiful children — ages 8 months to 8 years. He’s also a devoted son, brother, and uncle, and he has always been the  sole provider  for his family.

At the end of  June 2024, Nathan began suffering from  uncontrollable headaches  while at work. He went to  Divine Savior Hospital  in Portage, WI several times, only to be sent home each visit. Finally, a doctor ran a  CT scan  and found a  mass on his brain  — but even then, they sent him home again.

Not long after, Nathan became  unresponsive  at home. His wife immediately knew something was wrong and rushed him to another hospital, where doctors  performed emergency brain surgery  the next day to remove the tumor. By the grace of God, he survived, and our family was beyond thankful to still have him with us.

Two weeks later, we received devastating news: Nathan was diagnosed with  glioblastoma, an aggressive and  incurable brain cancer. The odds of survival are low, but if you know Nathan, you know he’s a fighter. He’s kept his  faith in God  and prays every day for strength and healing.

Even without insurance, Nathan began  chemotherapy  and continued to  work full-time  throughout treatment to support his wife and young children. He never once stopped providing for his family or showing up for them, no matter how much pain he was in.

Recently, doctors found a  second tumor  on his  brain stem, and it has started to  affect his mobility  — his arms often go numb, and he can no longer run. Worst of all, doctors have now given him  only two months to live.

But we are not giving up. There is still hope. Our family is desperately trying to raise funds to send Nathan to the  Oasis of Hope Hospital in Mexico, where they offer  advanced treatments  for glioblastoma that aren’t available here in the U.S. We believe this could give him more time — time to keep fighting, to hold his children, and to continue being the amazing man he is.

Nathan would never ask for help himself, but as his sister, I am asking for him — and for his family. This is  urgent. We are running out of time, and every single day matters.

Please, if you can,  donate  or  share  Nathan’s story. Every contribution, no matter the size, will go directly toward his treatment, travel, and medical care.

Please also keep Nathan and his family in your  prayers. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, compassion, and generosity during this incredibly difficult time.

With love and faith,
Michaela Gritz
(Sister of  Nathan Elijah Iodice)

FAQ:

Has anyone survived glioblastoma?

Yes! With a median survival of about 12–18 months, there are exceptional cases of people living for many years, even decades, after diagnosis.  Factors like a younger age, complete surgical removal, and certain molecular markers in the tumor can be associated with longer survival.