Joshua's Medical Fund
Donation protected
The Situation
In November 2014, Joshua Burbridge was diagnosed with a Stage 3 cancerous tumor in his ampula duct outside of his pancreas. Expediently, he and his medical team decided to proceed with a Whipple Procedure on Nov 17. In addition to the removal of the tumor, the surgery removed 1/3 of his stomach, 1/3 of his pancreas, various parts of his intestines and his entire gall bladder. Despite having a great surgical and support team, the surgery had complications, which caused Joshua to require a second surgery. In total, he spent 5 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 13 days in hospital recovery. 18 days in total.
The tumor was removed successfully with clear margins; however, 5 of the 25 lymph nodes biopsied were not clear of cancer. This led to the prognosis of Stage 3 Ampula Cancer (intestinal(GI) NOT pancreatic). Luckily, this type of cancer has a much better outlook than Pancreatic Cancer. It is a fight but one that Joshua can win!
Joshua is continuing to slowly recover at his home. Starting in January 2015, he will begin 6 months of chemotherapy(start 1/16/15). The treatment will also be complemented by a variety of natural therapies overseen by his MD/Naturopath, who has been graciously working with Joshua on a sliding scale.
The Burbridge Family has received an outpouring of support from friends and family, but sorely lack the financial resources to pay for their medical expenses.
These minus surgical procedures totaling more than $560,000, which will require up to $75,000 out of pocket from the Burbridge Family (see below).
Please consider donating to assist the Burbridge Family to pay their medical bills and associated expenses, facilitating Joshua’s healing from Stage 3 Ampula Cancer.
The Burbridge Family
Joshua and his wife Amber live with their two boys Silas (8) and Caleb aka Cale (3) in Berkeley, CA. The Burbridges own and operate a food business called True Family Foods, which is the maker of True Ferments, a line of fermented foods available at Bay Area farmers makers and grocery stories. Joshua is also the Head of Sales for Envirotech Greenhouse in Richmond, CA. In his spare time, he is a little league coach, ocean swimmer, food tourist and music lover.
Joshua and Amber have been supporters of healthy natural cooking and local sustainable agriculture for 2 decades. Their passion for food and sustainability is what feeds the mission of True Family Foods. Joshua also enjoys applying his skills to local, regional and national agriculture through his role at Envirotech.
Joshua is slowly returning to work on a project-by-project basis with Envirotech as of January 1, 2015. Due to his health condition, he is currently limited in contribution to their food business, which is self-supporting and operated by Amber, but does not pay much into the Burbridges’ incomes. If Joshua is unable to work during his chemotherapy treatment (a current unknown), he will need to go on disability or Social Security Income (SSI).
The Finances
Joshua and Amber do not have health care benefits through their employment. They do have some coverage through Covered California (Obamacare); however, the insurance company fought against the surgery and ultimately would not approve it in advance.
At present, it is unclear how much the insurance will cover of the Whipple Procedure, the second surgery from complications, the resulting 18-day hospital stay, and the future chemotherapy,
Before the surgery, Joshua had already accumulated $10,000 in unpaid medical expenses related to his cancer. The family is still waiting to hear from the insurance company on the insurance coverage for the surgeries and hospital stay.
The current total before insurance coverage is $550,000. Based on previous coverage through the Covered California plan, it is estimated that the final bill will be up to $75,000.
In addition, Joshua must undergo genetic testing needed for cancer risk assessment for the entire family, chemotherapy and complimentary natural therapy.
In the case that fund are NOT used for medical expenses (bankruptcy etc). The Burbridge family will use the funds to bridge the gap between SSI and bills. The funds will ensure appropriate health care for the family in the short term.
The Burbridge family has received an outpouring of support from family and friends and were encouraged to get this fundraiser started. They will continually update the website as we get the final bills for the surgeries and hospital stay as well as the chemotherapy and complementary healing techniques.
In November 2014, Joshua Burbridge was diagnosed with a Stage 3 cancerous tumor in his ampula duct outside of his pancreas. Expediently, he and his medical team decided to proceed with a Whipple Procedure on Nov 17. In addition to the removal of the tumor, the surgery removed 1/3 of his stomach, 1/3 of his pancreas, various parts of his intestines and his entire gall bladder. Despite having a great surgical and support team, the surgery had complications, which caused Joshua to require a second surgery. In total, he spent 5 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 13 days in hospital recovery. 18 days in total.
The tumor was removed successfully with clear margins; however, 5 of the 25 lymph nodes biopsied were not clear of cancer. This led to the prognosis of Stage 3 Ampula Cancer (intestinal(GI) NOT pancreatic). Luckily, this type of cancer has a much better outlook than Pancreatic Cancer. It is a fight but one that Joshua can win!
Joshua is continuing to slowly recover at his home. Starting in January 2015, he will begin 6 months of chemotherapy(start 1/16/15). The treatment will also be complemented by a variety of natural therapies overseen by his MD/Naturopath, who has been graciously working with Joshua on a sliding scale.
The Burbridge Family has received an outpouring of support from friends and family, but sorely lack the financial resources to pay for their medical expenses.
These minus surgical procedures totaling more than $560,000, which will require up to $75,000 out of pocket from the Burbridge Family (see below).
Please consider donating to assist the Burbridge Family to pay their medical bills and associated expenses, facilitating Joshua’s healing from Stage 3 Ampula Cancer.
The Burbridge Family
Joshua and his wife Amber live with their two boys Silas (8) and Caleb aka Cale (3) in Berkeley, CA. The Burbridges own and operate a food business called True Family Foods, which is the maker of True Ferments, a line of fermented foods available at Bay Area farmers makers and grocery stories. Joshua is also the Head of Sales for Envirotech Greenhouse in Richmond, CA. In his spare time, he is a little league coach, ocean swimmer, food tourist and music lover.
Joshua and Amber have been supporters of healthy natural cooking and local sustainable agriculture for 2 decades. Their passion for food and sustainability is what feeds the mission of True Family Foods. Joshua also enjoys applying his skills to local, regional and national agriculture through his role at Envirotech.
Joshua is slowly returning to work on a project-by-project basis with Envirotech as of January 1, 2015. Due to his health condition, he is currently limited in contribution to their food business, which is self-supporting and operated by Amber, but does not pay much into the Burbridges’ incomes. If Joshua is unable to work during his chemotherapy treatment (a current unknown), he will need to go on disability or Social Security Income (SSI).
The Finances
Joshua and Amber do not have health care benefits through their employment. They do have some coverage through Covered California (Obamacare); however, the insurance company fought against the surgery and ultimately would not approve it in advance.
At present, it is unclear how much the insurance will cover of the Whipple Procedure, the second surgery from complications, the resulting 18-day hospital stay, and the future chemotherapy,
Before the surgery, Joshua had already accumulated $10,000 in unpaid medical expenses related to his cancer. The family is still waiting to hear from the insurance company on the insurance coverage for the surgeries and hospital stay.
The current total before insurance coverage is $550,000. Based on previous coverage through the Covered California plan, it is estimated that the final bill will be up to $75,000.
In addition, Joshua must undergo genetic testing needed for cancer risk assessment for the entire family, chemotherapy and complimentary natural therapy.
In the case that fund are NOT used for medical expenses (bankruptcy etc). The Burbridge family will use the funds to bridge the gap between SSI and bills. The funds will ensure appropriate health care for the family in the short term.
The Burbridge family has received an outpouring of support from family and friends and were encouraged to get this fundraiser started. They will continually update the website as we get the final bills for the surgeries and hospital stay as well as the chemotherapy and complementary healing techniques.
Organiser
Joshua Burbridge
Organiser
Berkeley, CA
