Georgia-Cumberland Academy Church

Georgia-Cumberland Academy Church Inspire. Equip. Empower.

I’m writing this as we drive back from yet another couple of days at Duke Cancer Center, and I have good news—the result...
07/28/2026

I’m writing this as we drive back from yet another couple of days at Duke Cancer Center, and I have good news—the results of my MRI revealed no progression! I also continue to feel pretty good, symptom-wise. This journey continues to teach me that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, each and every day is an absolute gift, and today especially, I’m celebrating that gift! Thank you to everyone for all of your continued love, prayers, and support!

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalms 23:6 NLT

I'm writing this as we drive back from yet another couple of days at Duke Cancer Center, and I have good news—the result...
07/28/2026

I'm writing this as we drive back from yet another couple of days at Duke Cancer Center, and I have good news—the results of my MRI revealed no progression! I also continue to feel pretty good, symptom-wise. This journey continues to teach me that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, each and every day is an absolute gift, and today especially, I'm celebrating that gift! Thank you to everyone for all of your continued love, prayers, and support!

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalms 23:6, NLT

Fundraising Update: Thanks to the outpouring of financial support David’s Germany treatments are covered! The fundraisin...
07/06/2026

Fundraising Update: Thanks to the outpouring of financial support David’s Germany treatments are covered! The fundraising goal has been reached and surpassed!!

Note from David: Tomorrow, I am reaching a big milestone—six months since my diagnosis. The initial timeline I was given to live was 6-8 months, so every additional day feels like something to be profoundly grateful for!

I am also incredibly thankful for the generosity of everyone who has worked together to help fund the immunotherapy treatment I will begin in Germany this October.

This morning, Valerie and I had another conference with the CeGat German oncology team and received updated results: they successfully completed analysis of my tumor tissue and will begin preparing the treatment, which should be ready by early October. We are praising God for this positive step forward! Meanwhile, I will continue chemotherapy until then.

This treatment option would not have been possible without your support. Thank you to our GCA church community, our Meadow Glade family, and other friends and family for standing with me through this. Your continued love and support mean the world to me and my family! I'll keep you posted as we move forward.

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble….A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."
-Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12

I’m writing this on the drive home from Duke Cancer Center with good news. Yesterday I had an MRI and today a follow-up ...
06/02/2026

I’m writing this on the drive home from Duke Cancer Center with good news.

Yesterday I had an MRI and today a follow-up with my neuro-oncologist. We are celebrating a stable scan with no progression from my last MRI!

Going forward, I'll continue with monthly rounds of chemotherapy, and we're initiating a plan to begin a form of immunotherapy in Germany this fall. Lots to look forward to.

Thank you all for your continued love and support, it truly means everything.

"But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge…” Psalm 141:8a

This weekend marked the completion of my second round of “maintenance chemo” (5 days of heavy dosing followed by a 23-da...
05/19/2026

This weekend marked the completion of my second round of “maintenance chemo” (5 days of heavy dosing followed by a 23-day break). So far, despite the typical nausea, vomiting and fatigue, my body has been tolerating the chemo well enough, which is good because I’ll be on this for a year.

If you’re local, you’ve likely already noticed the newest addition to my routine: the Optune Gio. This is a wearable medical device made up of four adhesive patches with electrodes that I wear on my head, and tote around a sizable battery pack to power them. It uses electric fields to slow down or stop cancer cells from dividing. It’s a bit of an adjustment since the goal is to wear it for at least 90% of the day, but it is mostly tolerable.

Most significantly, I continue to be touched by all of the kindness offered to me. Your prayers and words of encouragement have helped create a sense of stability in the midst of all the uncertainty. I’m thankful to God for each and every one of you!

"I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done." Psalm 9:1

Last week I received my first MRI post first round of treatment, and the results were encouraging. Both tumors have shru...
04/09/2026

Last week I received my first MRI post first round of treatment, and the results were encouraging. Both tumors have shrunk in size, which is a good indication that the radiation and chemotherapy have been effective. I will restart chemotherapy next week. I’m also thankful that I’ve been able to remain relatively active and largely symptom-free! I’m truly grateful for all the love, care, and support I’ve continued to receive, and I will keep placing my trust in Jesus for whatever lies ahead.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. “ Romans 5:13

While my updates have been infrequent lately, I have a significant one to share: as of last Tuesday, I completed my six ...
03/23/2026

While my updates have been infrequent lately, I have a significant one to share: as of last Tuesday, I completed my six weeks of daily radiation and chemotherapy! Although the journey has had its physical and emotional ups and downs, I’m grateful to still be feeling generally good, despite some extra fatigue.

Over the next couple weeks, I’ll be focusing on recovering from this round of treatment before the next step. While this disease continues to present many unknowns, the constant in the midst of this crisis has been the love, support, and prayers from my church and community. This has come in all shapes and forms: from cards being sent, GCA students and staff celebrating my birthday with me by dressing in blue, delicious food, words of encouragement, and the list goes on! God is working through you and I cannot thank you enough for that; it has truly been a gift.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV

Much love, David

Quick update on my journey: I started chemotherapy and radiation this last Wednesday here in Calhoun at AdventHealth. I’...
02/08/2026

Quick update on my journey: I started chemotherapy and radiation this last Wednesday here in Calhoun at AdventHealth. I’ll have daily chemo and radiation for the next six weeks, then follow up again at Duke. So far I’m feeling good and I’ve even been able to resume running every day! My family is incredibly thankful for all of your prayers, encouragement, and support. We truly feel so loved and surrounded by you all! You are a light in this season of our lives. With love, David

Note from the GCA Church - In addition to your prayers, if you want to support the Smith family with a meal or a financial gift, a number of their close friends have created a web page through Give InKind: https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/V9N9L5V/the-smith-family-13

Isaiah 1:17 💌
02/05/2026

Isaiah 1:17 💌

Pastor David continues to work closely with his medical team on a treatment plan. He has consultations at Duke Health in...
01/30/2026

Pastor David continues to work closely with his medical team on a treatment plan. He has consultations at Duke Health in North Carolina on Monday and Tuesday, and will begin chemotherapy and radiation treatments on Wednesday in Calhoun. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Address

351 Academy Drive SW
Calhoun, GA
30701

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 4pm
Tuesday 12pm - 4pm
Wednesday 12pm - 4pm
Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 10:30am - 1pm

Telephone

+17066258582

Website

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