If you’ve found your way here, welcome.
This website has been on our hearts for months.
In many ways, it started the day Damon was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer in October 2025. But for a long time, our focus was simply surviving one appointment, one treatment, and one day at a time.
There wasn’t time to build a website.
There wasn’t time to tell our story.
There wasn’t time to think beyond the next scan, the next chemotherapy appointment, or the next trip to Mayo Clinic.
Now, nearly nine months later, we’re finally ready.
Not because the fight is over – it isn’t.
Today, we received the news we’ve been praying for: Damon has been approved for a liver transplant.
While that is an incredible step forward, it also marks the beginning of a new journey.
Because of the unique criteria for liver transplantation in colorectal cancer, Damon will most likely need a living liver donor. Although his liver contains more than 20 tumors, he does not qualify for a deceased donor liver under current transplant guidelines. A living donor now represents his best chance at long-term survival.
That changes everything.
For months, we’ve shared Damon’s story with family and friends. Today, we realized we need to share it much further.
Not only because we’re searching for a living donor.
But because we never want another family to hear the words “Stage IV colorectal cancer” when it could have been found sooner.
Over the past several months, we’ve heard from people who scheduled their first colonoscopy because of Damon. Friends have shared his story with loved ones. Others have reached out because they were experiencing symptoms and finally decided to call their doctor.
If sharing our journey helps one person get screened earlier – or helps us find the person willing to give Damon the gift of life – then every difficult conversation will have been worth it.
Our Mission
We have two goals.
First, we’re searching for a living liver donor for Damon – someone whose incredible generosity could give him the opportunity for many more years with his family.
Second, we’re committed to raising awareness about early-onset colorectal cancer by encouraging people to get screened, recognize the warning signs, and advocate for themselves.
Because colorectal cancer is changing.
More people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are being diagnosed every year. Many with no family history and no reason to believe they were at risk.
We can’t change Damon’s diagnosis.
But together, we may be able to change someone else’s story.
Looking Ahead
One day, we hope Never Down, Never Out becomes more than a website.
Our dream is to build a nonprofit that supports families in North Idaho facing colorectal cancer by providing resources, encouragement, and financial assistance during one of the most difficult seasons of their lives.
We’re not there yet.
Right now, our focus is on helping Damon, finding a living donor, raising awareness, and encouraging more people to get screened.
One step at a time.
Thank You
Whether you’re here because you know Damon personally, you’re learning about living liver donation, you’re scheduling your own screening, or you’re simply looking for hope, we’re grateful you’re here.
Thank you for praying with us.
Thank you for sharing our story.
Thank you for helping us spread awareness.
And if there’s one thing we hope you take away from our journey, it’s this:
Don’t ignore the symptoms. Get screened. Advocate for yourself. And never lose hope.