07/31/2026
Flashback Friday. 🤍
This photo is of our incredible co-owner, nurse, geriatric care manager, Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), and licensed patient advocate, Amanda Butas, with her amazing father, Lorin.
Lorin was the kind of person who could light up any room. He was compassionate, genuine, and deeply loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He and his wife had moved to Arizona to enjoy the retirement they had worked so hard for and to spend this chapter of life together.
Then everything changed.
When Lorin became ill, we knew something wasn't right. Thanks to the collaboration of trusted medical professionals, specialists, and an incredible hospital team, he was diagnosed with Stage IV renal (kidney) cancer. The prognosis was devastating. We were told he had only four days to live, and comfort care was presented as the only option.
But Lorin wasn't ready to give up.
After heartfelt conversations with Amanda, he made it clear that he wanted to fight. Aside from his cancer, he had no significant medical conditions and had always been healthy. He simply wanted more time with the people he loved and the retirement he had dreamed of.
So that's exactly what we fought for.
For countless hours, we sat in hospital cafeterias, made phone calls across the country, and reached out to cancer centers throughout the United States. We were met with rejection after rejection because his rare cancer was considered too complex and too high-risk.
But we refused to accept "no" as the final answer.
Finally, an incredible team of physicians at Keck Medicine of USC agreed to evaluate Lorin's case. Our trusted physician colleagues helped stabilize him until he was strong enough to travel. Amanda and her family immediately packed their car and drove to California with hope in their hearts.
After extensive testing and careful planning, despite the tremendous risks of a tumor that had grown around his aorta, the surgical team moved forward.
The surgery was successful.
Instead of four days, Lorin was given two more beautiful years, years filled with family, memories, laughter, love, and precious moments that otherwise would have been lost.
This is why we do what we do.
At Kaizen Care Management, every client becomes family. Advocacy isn't simply attending appointments or coordinating care. It means asking one more question, making one more phone call, seeking one more opinion, and refusing to stop when there is still hope to explore.
We will travel. We will research. We will collaborate with specialists across the country. We will stand beside our clients and their families every step of the way because every person deserves someone willing to fight for them.
This wasn't extraordinary because it was Amanda's father.
It was extraordinary because this is who we are.
We have been blessed to walk alongside countless families over the years, and their stories and testimonials remind us every day why advocacy matters.
Lorin's legacy continues to inspire us to never settle, never stop advocating, and never underestimate the power of hope.
Because sometimes, the greatest gift we can give someone isn't just more time, it's making sure every possible opportunity has been explored before giving up.
We will be forever grateful for Keck Medicine of USC! We proudly partner with them! There are no words for how incredible their team of doctors are!
❤️ This is the heart of Kaizen Care Management.
