stomach can handle during this time," she wrote on Aug. 15.

"We had a really great week. Other than mouth sores and extreme fatigue he handled the 6th round of Chemo really well," she wrote on Sept. 9.

Crowdfunding health care is a growing trend, particularly with websites like GoFundMe and YouCaring where people can donate to assist others from around the world, said Brian Ortner, spokesman for the American Cancer Society of Iowa and Nebraska.

Families will write about their struggles and give live updates to people following them. In 2014, the GoFundMe category "Medical, Illness and Healing" brought in 26 percent of all donations, according to Time magazine.

In Iowa, cancer patients can struggle with paying their medical expenses or indirect costs like lodging, travel, lost work hours or childand happiness they felt seeing the furry and human friends together.

While Brice is in Iowa City for treatment, Mack stays with family. The giant dog is playful and lazy, but when he sees him, he wants to jump on his bed and basically everything else.

For now, Brice doesn't have the energy to bring him out for a run or play, so the pair mostly just sleep together and watch television. The kids like to join and create a nest of fur and fun.

But Mack is a good dog, waiting and ready to help.

"He keeps my mind busy and off things," Brice said. "He's all around a good dog."

How to help the Udelhoven family

Follow Brice Udelhoven's journey on Facebook.

The #TeamUdelhoven Benefit is being held Oct. 20 at 5 p.m.