Current:Home > My'Home Alone' star Ken Hudson Campbell has successful surgery for cancer after crowdfunding -Aspire Money Growth
'Home Alone' star Ken Hudson Campbell has successful surgery for cancer after crowdfunding
TradeEdge Exchange View
Date:2025-04-09 16:03:03
Ken Hudson Campbell, known for his role as Santa in "Home Alone," crowdfunded his way to a successful cancer surgery after losing his SAG-AFTRA health insurance, according to his daughter.
Campbell's daughter Michaela organized a GoFundMe page on Dec. 1 ahead of the actor's planned "10-hour surgery" on Dec. 7. Campbell was diagnosed with cancer in October after "a tumor had elusively grown on the bottom of his mouth and it began encroaching on his teeth," his daughter wrote in the crowdfunding page description.
Campbell was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer that is not typically life-threatening, his daughter told People. It can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated, according to Mayo Clinic.
His fundraiser for surgery surpassed its goal of $100,000 with top donations from other Hollywood figures including Steve Carell, Yeardley Smith and "Big Bang Theory" co-creator Bill Prady.
Campbell's daughter later shared that his "cancer was removed successfully, and his jaw bone has been reconstructed from his fibula and attached."
"The day after surgery, they took him off the respirator. He is in very good condition. He's giving us hand signals at times, writing his thoughts down and trying his hardest to communicate with us, even though he cannot speak," she added. "He's been making small improvements in different ways as each day goes by."
During the surgery, "a large part of his jawbone" was set to be removed, "along with his lymph nodes, and part of his leg bone. Surgeons plan to reconstruct a new jaw for Ken from this leg bone, install it, and treat him with radiation. He will have a 6-month recovery period & Chemo may be needed afterwards as well," his daughter wrote.
Shannen Dohertysays she learned of ex's alleged affair shortly before brain tumor surgery
She added: "Even though physical therapy and speech therapy are covered, we are anticipating huge out-of-pocket costs for caregivers/skilled nursing, insurance premiums, medical equipment, transportation, dental implants, dentures and who knows what else."
Before Campbell's recent surgery, the actor was getting routine checks until he lost his health insurance in January. In that time, his cancer became more aggressive, his daughter told People.
"He lost his health insurance with SAG and he had to stop going to the same doctors that he had been going to for a while about his mouth. And it discouraged him a little bit and he just didn't really check on it," she said. "I think it was really shocking for us because we thought he was taking care of it, at least I did. It was really hard for me to hear and I had a hard time emotionally."
In addition to "Home Alone," Campbell has had minor roles in "Groundhog Day," "Armageddon," "Coyote Ugly" and more. He is slated to voice a character named Boomer in Paramount+ series "Adventures in Wonder Park" in 2024, according to IMDb.
Hilary Swank sues SAG-AFTRA Health Planover ovarian cyst coverage: 'It’s time we are treated fairly'
veryGood! (89349)
Related
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Olympics live updates: Katie Ledecky makes history, Simone Biles wins gold
- Montessori schools are everywhere. But what does Montessori actually mean?
- More women are ending pregnancies on their own, a new study suggests. Some resort to unsafe methods
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Former Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker sues university over his firing
- Illinois sheriff whose deputy shot Sonya Massey says it will take rest of his career to regain trust
- Carrie Underwood set as Katy Perry's 'American Idol' judge for Season 23
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- More women are ending pregnancies on their own, a new study suggests. Some resort to unsafe methods
Ranking
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- You're likely paying way more for orange juice: Here's why, and what's being done about it
- Why Cameron Mathison Asked for a New DWTS Partner Over Edyta Sliwinska
- 10 reasons why Caitlin Clark is not on US women's basketball roster for 2024 Olympic
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Video shows dramatic rescue of crying Kansas toddler from bottom of narrow, 10-foot hole
- 14-month-old boy rescued after falling down narrow pipe in the yard of his Kansas home
- Wyndham Clark's opening round at Paris Olympics did no favors for golf qualifying system
Recommendation
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
2 New York City police officers shot while responding to robbery, both expected to survive
US rowers Michelle Sechser, Molly Reckford get one more chance at Olympic glory
Donald Trump’s gag order remains in effect after hush money conviction, New York appeals court rules
The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
Alsu Kurmasheva, Russian-American journalist, freed in historic prisoner swap
PHOTO COLLECTION: At a home for India’s unwanted elders, faces of pain and resilience
Wisconsin judge refuses GOP request to pause absentee voting ruling sought by disabled people