CRESTVIEW — As an alternative to chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Cliff Larson is currently undergoing Gerson therapy in his fight against cancer.
Larson and his wife, Wanda, are currently starting the natural-based therapy at a Gerson clinic in Mexico.
Gerson therapy is used to boost a body’s immune system in order to treat cancer, arthritis, heart disease, and other ailments.
Larson opted to try the therapy following his second cancer diagnosis in July. He previously underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments in 2011 for pancreatic cancer.
Cliff, who served as the minister of Clear Springs Assembly of God church in Crestview, said the common cancer treatments took a physical toll.
“The ill effects were too debilitating to bear,” Cliff stated in an email.
After recently testing positive for cancer in his abdomen, Larson opted to stop chemotherapy after doctors advised chemotherapy treatments would only give him a few extra months to live.
Cliff originally heard about Gerson therapy from friends in Massachusetts, but originally dismissed the idea. However, after traveling with Wanda to Texas with to tell their daughter, Christina Campbell, that Cliff would stop chemotherapy −the couple gave Gerson therapy another look.
While in Texas, the couple watched the documentary, “The Gerson Miracle,” which changed their perspective.
“That was the catalyst that drove our decision to do Gerson (therapy),” Cliff said. “We did a lot of research about Gerson and the more we read, the more it became obvious that's what I should do.”
In addition to having a strict organic, plant-based diet, Gerson therapy also involves taking natural supplements, raw juices and coffee enemas.
In addition to the dietary change, Larson said the alternative therapy is expensive. The couple’s family started an online fundraising campaign, via gofundme.com, which has raised more than $17,000.
Contributions from friends and family have provided the couple with an extra refrigerator, a water purification system, a juicer and travel expenses to the Mexico facility.
According to the American Cancer Society website, Gerson therapy is not approved for use in the United States. In addition, the therapy is not covered by most health insurance policies, Larson said.
Regardless, Larson said he prefers Gerson therapy over chemotherapy.
“Chemo was so bad that it actually serves to motivate me through the new course,” he said. “When I raise an (unappealing) cup of juice to my mouth I say, ‘It's better than chemo; it's better than chemo….’”
Larson said he and his wife are very thankful for the financial support they have received thus far.
“Wanda and I are stunned to tears at the profound showing of love, generosity and support,” he said. “It may well have been an impossible dream without our community.”
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview couple battles cancer through Gerson therapy