Big-wave charger Billy Kemper, one of most dominant names at Peahi, is asking for assistance to help his mother beat throat cancer. Kemper launched a GoFundMe campaign recently, and has taken to social media, asking for donations.
His mom, Lisa, known as Auntie Lisa to many in Hawaii, where Kemper is from, is undergoing chemotherapy and facing exorbitant medical bills, according to his posts.
“I hate to ask for anything, and so would my mom. But recently she’s been diagnosed with stage 3C throat cancer,” Kemper says in one post.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with, but then I think what my mom is going through and I can’t even imagine her pain,” he wrote in Instagram. “I’m lost for words and beyond hurt seeing my own mother fight cancer. For all who know my mom, knows she’d do anything for you and has hospitality next to none with a heart that loves and cares about everyone.”
Over the past 11 days, the GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $35,000 of a $100,000 goal. The campaign webpage, which directs people to the hashtag LOVELIKELISA, reads:
“Lisa needs our help, she is so humble and always wants to care for those around her but it’s our turn to help her during this time of need. She was recently diagnosed with Stage 3C Throat Cancer. She is currently undergoing Chemo and is not able to work.
No gift is too small, and if you have a minute the gift of a text or facebook message to brighten her day is always appreciated.”
Cancer is stage 3 “has grown beyond the throat and may now extend into nearby tissues or organs,” according to Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
Friends of Kemper’s have chimed in online with supportive posts like this one from Kamalei Alexander:
