Elliot's Cancer Medical Fund
Donation protected
UPDATE 11/27 - YAY! Looks like we are paying of my first big bill of $4,700. Thank you so much!!!
Hello Everyone,
I guess I can introduce myself, i'm Elliot. My friends asked me to put this together to help. A little bit about me. I am a young 34 (35 around the corner), only child, and take care of my mom. Who am I? I am an artist. I live in Los Angeles chasing the dream like many others. I like to shop at Trader Joes, have a gym mebership that could be used more, and lease my car. When an oppertunity arises that lets me travel, I jump on it. I have been so thankful for all the ups and downs that I have endured on this journey of life.
This time in 2005 I was a bartender in Chicago loving my 20's going to school.
This time in 2007 I had been in LA for over a year, fresh faced learning about all that film had to offer me. Not knowing that in a year everything would collapse in the econmy.
This time in 2010 I celebrated making a shortfilm that showed me I had potential. Another learning step.
This time in 2011 I thought I had my dream job being part of LGBT film distribution. Another learning step.
This time in 2012 I was so proud of putting together an incredible photo campaign with a team of people that pursed greatness for people. Another learning step.
This time in 2013 I had walked nearly a 1,000 miles from Chicago to New York for anti-bullying. Another learning step.
This time in 2014 I was sitting with my family in Phoenix enjoying a holdiay meal. Being so thankful for the people in my life. Another learning step.
Today, Thanksgiving 2015, I am home recovering from what I hope is the end of cancer. No more learning steps please.
One of the biggest risks of being an artist is that there is no fail safe. Your ambition blinds you from the challening hurdles of life, making you naive. You do not think of 401ks or what type of insurnace you need. What type of savings I need to buy a house one day. All you think aboutis how will tomorrow inspire you. How can I (Elliot) bring something to this world. How can I create... But it is truly naive. Artists think with their hearts not with their brains. If I thought with my brain, I would of made sure to put the protections in place for what MIGHT, COULD, or SHOULDNT happen...
I had arrived back from Tokyo (Sept 2015) so inspired with the determination I would be back soon to shoot. Two days later. I got sick... so sick... I couldnt move... The fever... I was delusional... Thankfully John insisted I go to a hospital... I said "no, the insurance, its to expensive". He insists... We go... I find out I have cancer...
I spent 2 weeks in hospital being treated for Meningitis. Meningitis on its own being incredible painful, losing 30lbs and some hearing in my right ear. At the same time trying to proccess in my mind that I have cancer.
My life went on hold while the world continued. I am out of the game for 4-5 months. Not by choice, my body made the decision. Billing cycles continue. Unemployment doesnt apply to artists (self empoyled people) nor did disability. Thankfully I worked hard this year and put some cash away for a rainy day. A rainy day, not rainy months.
I spent the next 6 weeks fighting with insurance / covered califonia / even medical to get the treatment I needed. All at the same time the first set of hospital bills started to roll in. $1,000 than $3,000 than , $4,000. I dont understand why they need to use multiply envolopes delivered the same day. Can they not just shock you in one.
DENIED DENIED DENIED
I couldnt get a reffereal into a good oncologist for the life of me. No one would see me becuase I didnt have the right policy. I finally got tired of being on the phone. I walked into Cedar's Sinai with tears to the receptionist. I said "please help me!". It was the same thing, I was ran in circles though changing insurance plans to find out that I still am not covered.
I had to wait for the right insurance plan to kick in to give me the surgeon and operation I needed. Who has time when tumors grow. I took some hits with getting things underway. Finally having to buy a very expensive PPO at $493 a month that has a $6000 out of pocket could I get my surgery. Granted I am not working and not by choice.
I foudn a great Oncologist Urologist surgeon at UCLA who operated on me 11/20. I am so happy that weeks of phone calls paid off... PLEASE fight for your health if you have an issue...
Now as I try to heal... I worry... What will I do... The bills are only pilling up and a new year starts soon, which is a new out of pocket dedcutible. I am not in the clear just yet. I will be having scans multiple times and god willing I am cancer free...
I really hope that this time next year I can fill in the blank with something incredible. That this time in 2016 is not going to be that I am trapped working 70 hours a week paying off hospital bills for the next few years... Hello back to waiting tables... (No shame)
Currently my hospital envolpes add up to $9,000 for the month of October.
Another $6000 (Out of Pocket Deductible) from this November surgery.
Than addionally preparing for January when I redo my scans at another $2000.
Insurance for the next 6 months being roughly $3000.
Am I scared of these bills... No... I had to get treatment.... Am I scared of the outcome of these bills. Yes... Beacuse I can't pay them... that effect, well, thats bad credit. That effects lingers for a long time.
In a dream world I would make lots of money and write a check for the medical bills, my rent, groceries, my moms living expenses. But this isnt a dream I live in...
It is reality and it is the health care system... It does not pay to get sick... I will use my gofund me to pay these medical expenses...
Now you know about me and why my friend have asked me to put this together. That I need to put my pride and ego aside... To say its ok to let people help...
How thankful will I be... Incredibly... Words wont be able to discribe, but I hope my future actions will... I do not know if this will be the only time that I will meet these challenges... I do know that everyones strength while I faced this current darkness has been my saving grace. I hope from this chapter that I can create something meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for listening to me... I wish you such a happy holidays...
Hello Everyone,
I guess I can introduce myself, i'm Elliot. My friends asked me to put this together to help. A little bit about me. I am a young 34 (35 around the corner), only child, and take care of my mom. Who am I? I am an artist. I live in Los Angeles chasing the dream like many others. I like to shop at Trader Joes, have a gym mebership that could be used more, and lease my car. When an oppertunity arises that lets me travel, I jump on it. I have been so thankful for all the ups and downs that I have endured on this journey of life.
This time in 2005 I was a bartender in Chicago loving my 20's going to school.
This time in 2007 I had been in LA for over a year, fresh faced learning about all that film had to offer me. Not knowing that in a year everything would collapse in the econmy.
This time in 2010 I celebrated making a shortfilm that showed me I had potential. Another learning step.
This time in 2011 I thought I had my dream job being part of LGBT film distribution. Another learning step.
This time in 2012 I was so proud of putting together an incredible photo campaign with a team of people that pursed greatness for people. Another learning step.
This time in 2013 I had walked nearly a 1,000 miles from Chicago to New York for anti-bullying. Another learning step.
This time in 2014 I was sitting with my family in Phoenix enjoying a holdiay meal. Being so thankful for the people in my life. Another learning step.
Today, Thanksgiving 2015, I am home recovering from what I hope is the end of cancer. No more learning steps please.
One of the biggest risks of being an artist is that there is no fail safe. Your ambition blinds you from the challening hurdles of life, making you naive. You do not think of 401ks or what type of insurnace you need. What type of savings I need to buy a house one day. All you think aboutis how will tomorrow inspire you. How can I (Elliot) bring something to this world. How can I create... But it is truly naive. Artists think with their hearts not with their brains. If I thought with my brain, I would of made sure to put the protections in place for what MIGHT, COULD, or SHOULDNT happen...
I had arrived back from Tokyo (Sept 2015) so inspired with the determination I would be back soon to shoot. Two days later. I got sick... so sick... I couldnt move... The fever... I was delusional... Thankfully John insisted I go to a hospital... I said "no, the insurance, its to expensive". He insists... We go... I find out I have cancer...
I spent 2 weeks in hospital being treated for Meningitis. Meningitis on its own being incredible painful, losing 30lbs and some hearing in my right ear. At the same time trying to proccess in my mind that I have cancer.
My life went on hold while the world continued. I am out of the game for 4-5 months. Not by choice, my body made the decision. Billing cycles continue. Unemployment doesnt apply to artists (self empoyled people) nor did disability. Thankfully I worked hard this year and put some cash away for a rainy day. A rainy day, not rainy months.
I spent the next 6 weeks fighting with insurance / covered califonia / even medical to get the treatment I needed. All at the same time the first set of hospital bills started to roll in. $1,000 than $3,000 than , $4,000. I dont understand why they need to use multiply envolopes delivered the same day. Can they not just shock you in one.
DENIED DENIED DENIED
I couldnt get a reffereal into a good oncologist for the life of me. No one would see me becuase I didnt have the right policy. I finally got tired of being on the phone. I walked into Cedar's Sinai with tears to the receptionist. I said "please help me!". It was the same thing, I was ran in circles though changing insurance plans to find out that I still am not covered.
I had to wait for the right insurance plan to kick in to give me the surgeon and operation I needed. Who has time when tumors grow. I took some hits with getting things underway. Finally having to buy a very expensive PPO at $493 a month that has a $6000 out of pocket could I get my surgery. Granted I am not working and not by choice.
I foudn a great Oncologist Urologist surgeon at UCLA who operated on me 11/20. I am so happy that weeks of phone calls paid off... PLEASE fight for your health if you have an issue...
Now as I try to heal... I worry... What will I do... The bills are only pilling up and a new year starts soon, which is a new out of pocket dedcutible. I am not in the clear just yet. I will be having scans multiple times and god willing I am cancer free...
I really hope that this time next year I can fill in the blank with something incredible. That this time in 2016 is not going to be that I am trapped working 70 hours a week paying off hospital bills for the next few years... Hello back to waiting tables... (No shame)
Currently my hospital envolpes add up to $9,000 for the month of October.
Another $6000 (Out of Pocket Deductible) from this November surgery.
Than addionally preparing for January when I redo my scans at another $2000.
Insurance for the next 6 months being roughly $3000.
Am I scared of these bills... No... I had to get treatment.... Am I scared of the outcome of these bills. Yes... Beacuse I can't pay them... that effect, well, thats bad credit. That effects lingers for a long time.
In a dream world I would make lots of money and write a check for the medical bills, my rent, groceries, my moms living expenses. But this isnt a dream I live in...
It is reality and it is the health care system... It does not pay to get sick... I will use my gofund me to pay these medical expenses...
Now you know about me and why my friend have asked me to put this together. That I need to put my pride and ego aside... To say its ok to let people help...
How thankful will I be... Incredibly... Words wont be able to discribe, but I hope my future actions will... I do not know if this will be the only time that I will meet these challenges... I do know that everyones strength while I faced this current darkness has been my saving grace. I hope from this chapter that I can create something meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for listening to me... I wish you such a happy holidays...
Organizer
Elliot London
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
