Please help the Michels family

God has put this on my heart and I just couldn't sit and do nothing any longer. I had to do something. This is my story, straight from my heart, to the Michels' family.

Upon being diagnosed withe cancer, a person's life changes dramatically. Daily concerns have to take second place to completing all the tests, doctor visits and paperwork that are needed in order to plan the cancer treatment. Once the treatment is started and a care plan is built into place, the family's attention may quickly turn to questions about finances.

While cancer treatment is expensive, it's not just the treatment that is costly. A cancer diagnosis can affect a family's finances in the following ways:

*  Lost wages from the patient due to ongoing doctor visits, lab work and surgeries

*  Lost wages from the patient's spouse or significant other due to taking off from work to drive them to these appointments

*  Travel costs getting to and from the doctor appointments

*  Hotel and food expenses if you are having to stay over night because the hospital/clinic is far away from home

*  Prescription and over-the-counter medications

*  Special bought medical supplies to better comfort your loved one

*  Expenses for somebody to care for your small children while you're away

*  Increased insurance premiums

All these costs come at a time when the family has neither the emotional energy nor the time to deal with additional financial stressors.

Jay Michels,  age 41, Chrissy (Jackowski) Michels, age 37, and their 4 children Madelyn, age 9, Eli, age 6, Quinn, age 3 and Avery, age 2, had a normal, healthy, worry-free life up until about 9 months ago when Jay was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma.  Malignant Melinoma is commonly found in people younger than 55 years of age and it accounts for the third highest number of lives lost across all cancers.

In these last 9 months, Jay has had to undergo 3 surgical procedures to remove lymph nodes from his neck, under his arms and near his chest. He has routine follow-ups with the Oncologist and Dermatologist. Not to forget the frequent lab work, CT, MRI and PET Scans in between.

My name is Samantha (Dornfeld) Floeter. I have the privilege of knowing Jay, Chrissy and their 4 adorable children on such a personal level because Chrissy takes care of my children at her in-home child care service.

Like I said before, I feel God has truly put this on my heart to help this family. Some days when I go to pick up my children, I'll occasionally notice Chrissy's forced "everything is okay," smile. Or notice her shoulders slumping downward as she lets out a heavy sigh when one of her kids brings the mail in and says, "You got tons of medical bills today, Mom."   Deep down I can see her frustrations. I can sense her worries. I can feel her fears. 

I just want to help them. Because I love them. Because nobody should have to go through this alone.

I ask from the bottom of my heart that you are willing to make a donation to help this family with all of the medical bills and all the extra expenses that come with.  Every little bit can and will be such a huge help.

Sincerely,

Samantha

John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."