Mike Wiley

In August of 2017, our dear longtime friend Mike Wiley went to the doctor to have a lymph node in his neck checked out.  After a biopsy, the doctors informed him that he had squamous cell carcinoma (cancer), and a PET scan showed that cancer was in his left tonsil.  On November 8, 2017, they operated to remove his tonsils and doctors found a 1cm mass in/on Mike’s left tonsil. 

Following that surgery, Mike met with oncologists to make a plan for further treatment. Due to the location and type of cancer, Mike will require 7 weeks of daily radiation and 3 doses of chemotherapy spread over those weeks. He is now scheduled to start treatment Monday December 18th.

Mike’s treatment will occur in Concord, NH at the Payson Center for Cancer Care. This is a 45 minute drive from Mike’s hometown, which he will need to make daily throughout the 7 weeks of treatment. Because of the harsh and possibly, debilitating side effects of treatment, Mike will not be able to drive himself. 

These therapies also knock down one’s immune system dramatically.  As an elementary school teacher, even if he’s feeling well enough to teach, Mike will need to stay away from work and the sweet, little germ spreaders that are his students. Best case scenario, he’ll be out of work until March. 

Mike’s warm loving spirit, humor, and generosity has touched so many people over the years. From Andover Elementary/Middle School to Merrowvista, to his years at Plymouth State, he has been a fun, loyal friend to so many of us and dedicated teacher to many students through 19 years of teaching . Right now, more than ever, he needs our support, and we are asking for your help.

Near or far, this forum will provide a way for us to support Wiley financially through the coming months. Cancer treatment, even with good health insurance, is usually unexpected and always costly. Additionally, health insurance doesn’t cover some essential costs such as alternative therapies, travel (gas & hotels), food, & fluids. While Mike hopes to drive back and forth each day, it’s very probable that at some point in his treatment, he won’t feel up for the drive and/or the weather won’t permit him to make it and he’ll need to stay in a hotel.

Please check out the Youcaring fundraising page set up for Wiley as well.  Click the "Ways to Help" tab above to get there. 


We’ll keep this page updated with news of Wiley’s progress, treatment and additional needs/ways to support Mike…  so please check back!


Wiley will update here as he is able! 


Thanks so much