tt stern-enzi, a Cincinnati film critic and well-known figure in the local film scene, has been hospitalized after a cancer diagnosis, and friends and family are hoping to raise enough money to cover his treatment.
According to a GoFundMe set up by family friends, stern-enzi, who once wrote for CityBeat and most recently worked as a contributor for FOX19 and as the artistic director for the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, was admitted to the hospital on Aug. 30 for what he believed was pneumonia. Doctors, however, discovered he had a rare form of cancer. stern-enzi was diagnosed with stage 4 sarcomatoid renal cancer, which has metastasized to his lungs. His original tumor is considered to be inoperable at this time.
Friends say stern-enzi has undergone several surgeries due to blood, fluid and scarring in his lungs, and he requires frequent blood transfusions and IV fluids. It’s not known when he’ll be able to be discharged from the hospital, and insurance reportedly won’t cover his treatment costs if he is in the hospital.
stern-enzi will need two immunotherapy medications that have been shown to be successful in treating sarcomatoid renal cancer. The GoFundMe is aiming to raise $50,000 and has, as of Monday afternoon, raised over $41,000.
stern-enzi’s wife, Jessica, provided an update on GoFundMe Monday, writing, “Friends. So much going on here at Christ Hospital. Today is day 24 here. I am still in shock that this is all happening and every day brings a new challenge(s). It’s been gut wrenching. Your very generous support has honestly made an incredibly challenging experience feel a bit more manageable. I can’t begin to express how much my family appreciates you. Please continue to share with your networks so that we can exceed our goal. The road ahead is unknown at this point but knowing that we don’t have to worry about insurance or discharge in order to get his immunotherapy approved is huge.”
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.