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Cancer Test Cost-DNA & Gene Mapping

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Hello again everyone, as most of you may know from last year, I've been dealing with the diagnoses, surgery and treatments for my rare type of Melanoma cancer. Last year was very difficult as I had lost my job and income overnight and the bills just kept on coming. I thank all who helped me throughout all of that, if not for your kindness and generous donations to help out, I may have ended up homeless during some of the worst times of my life.
I am back on Gofundme this time for a different reason, I did get some benefits from the V.A. and I also got SSD since I still am being treated for this Melanoma since after they removed my tumor in February of this year, the Doctors at the U of M got out what they could see. That means that there is still a percentage of Melanoma left as it had enough growth time to metastisize into my tissue and bone on the right side of my face (inside). My main oncologist at the U of M needs to have a lab in Boston, MA run tests on the massive tumor that was removed in February, these tests are DNA and gene mapping so that my team of doctors at the U of M can then know what type of post surgery clinical trials or other treatments available can perhaps stop this melanoma from growing and spreading again.
I do not have the means to pay out of pocket for this test, and the V.A. who does pay some of my medical costs, has refused to pay for this test of the tumor. The cost of this test is over $4,000.00, so I will be asking for help to pay for this much needed test to be done. It could very well save my life. We also have many bills for procedures which the VA refused to pay for. Many of those are related to treatments due to the life threatening reactions I had with some of the Immunotherapy (Yervoy, which caused Colitis and Pancreatitis) as well as ambulance bills.
I have some of the best doctors I could ask for, they have done everything possible to this point to remove all the Melanoma tumor, but enough remains on a cellular level in my tissue and bone, that they have to understand the genetic makeup of the cancer so they can target it with the correct type of treatment so that it does not grow another tumor or metasticize and invade other organs or lymph Nodes.
I am thankful for all who can donate towards this medical test costs, my oncologist will be able to determine the best course of action and treatments when I can afford to pay for it to be done.
Tomo

Organizer

Tom Riley
Organizer
Hastings, MN

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