Main fundraiser photo

Help Trey Knight Battle Cancer

Kim Manning and Bill Cooper are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Trey Knight’s continued battle with Stage 4 Colon and Lung Cancer.

Bill: In October of 2019, after multiple tests and doctor visits, we learned that Trey had Colorectal Cancer which later was confirmed to be Stage 4 and had spread to his lung. This was and is the scariest and most distressing news that most of Trey’s friends and associates are just now learning. For those who don’t know Trey Knight personally, he is a world-champion artistic roller skater, coach, stilt performer, founder of both Stilt World and Knight Rollers.  Trey asked Kim and I and a few others to honor his privacy and not disclose his diagnosis because he was still performing and coaching. He did not want to be passed over for any job opportunities as long as he could still work. He has suffered greatly over the last year and a half: from chemo, radiation, surgeries, weight loss, depression and loss of income. As his housemate and longtime friend, I have been privileged to be on this very difficult journey with him. I was able to be with him during all his hospital appointments and chemotherapy treatments up until COVID hit, then I was not allowed to accompany him any longer. He has basically been confined to the house since then to avoid any possibility of contracting it.

A large part of his stress comes from trying to manage his financial situation. As entertainment industries shut down across the world, Trey lost all of his avenues to earning income. His bills have been piling up, and as you can imagine, they don’t stop. Kim and I, along with a few close friends, neighbors, and his Mom and Dad have been doing what we can to assist him. And while Trey’s cancer story is still ongoing, Trey is steadfast in his own care and outlook. I would expect nothing less because he is, well, he is Trey Knight, a true champion.


Kim: Despite chemotherapy, weight loss and fatigue, Trey continued performing, teaching, and working stunt jobs months into his treatment. Cancer could not slow this champion down. Every job we took on was scheduled around his chemotherapy treatments and the nausea and recovery that he would need to lift and spin me in death defying feats safely again. As Trey lost 25% of his body weight from chemotherapy he carried on. I marveled at his strength despite everything he was going thru. I think he amazed the doctors, himself and definitely me.

Unfortunately, in March COVID-19 forced cancellation of all our jobs well into the winter as well as closure of the rinks where Trey coached world class skaters. As everyone adjusted to the reality of the pandemic, Trey faced more chemotherapy,  radiation, multiple surgeries, and an entire industry shutdown. I wish there was some way to express the awe and pride I feel for Trey going thru this experience.  Despite all odds, Trey just kept going. Every day, every lift, every performance he continued to deliver excellence despite what his body was going thru. I hope that you are inspired to join us on the journey of Trey’s continued rise from cancer. As the entertainment industry is still shut down and with no work in sight for the near future, please know that even just a small donation will contribute to something great. I feel watching Trey go through this has renewed my faith in the human spirit and its ability to overcome all obstacles.

So far Trey’s surgeries and treatments have gone well. He has, hopefully, just one more surgery left, but the frustrating news is that he cannot have his last surgery yet, because the hospitals are full of COVID patients. So, we wait patiently.

Bill and I set up this fund to help Trey offset the mounting costs of his battle with cancer and alleviate some of his stress. We hope that you are inspired to join us with Trey as he continues to conquer. No donation is too small, and we give thanks and appreciate the love you send with it. 

A single twig breaks, but a bundle of twigs is strong. Will you join our bundle?

Instead of donating here on GoFundMe, if you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to Trey, you may send a check written to “Affordable Housing for Artists” and mail c/o Bill Cooper (contact Bill or Kim for more information.) Affordable Housing for Artists is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA and is a 501(c )(3) organization. EIN: 83-2188899. The IRS NTEE classification code is L01, Alliance/Advocacy Organizations within the Housing Shelter category.

Donate

Donations 

  • Stella Choe
    • $30 
    • 7 mos
  • Paul Sasseville
    • $100 
    • 7 mos
  • Derek Simonds
    • $250 
    • 8 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $50 
    • 9 mos
  • Rosalie Nelson
    • $50 
    • 9 mos
Donate

Fundraising team (2)

Bill Cooper
Organizer
Raised $17,837 from 121 donations
Los Angeles, CA
Trey Knight
Beneficiary
Kim Manning
Team member
Raised $5,730 from 67 donations
This team raised $53,016 from 470 other donations.

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.