#SaveToniOrlicki
Donation protected
My dream has always been to find a 40-acre parcel of land up north that was an ideal place for a dog/animal sanctuary. My partner and best friend came up with the name "Toni's Ark" because each animal would have a special place on the farmstead. I want to grow my own food, get back to the land and do some organic farming...save dogs from shelters. You know... a place that's as much a fun dog spa/retreat as it is a sanctuary from a cruel world.
About 9 months ago I lost my job with a great insurance plan. Several hundred people were downsized. My best friend's business was struggling but he was able to help me a great deal. He'd make the best dad in the world. I know he wants sons and daughters as well as fur kids, but given what I'm about to say, that's just not in the cards.
But he's the greatest guy in the world. He's helped me every step of my adult life and I couldn't ask for a better guardian, protector, friend. If you know him, you know why I call Tony "my Tiger"... he really is that larger than life guy who would do anything for me and his family.
I've always been healthy as a horse. I always thought life insurance was a waste of money because I never saw something like this coming.
Let me explain.
About 3 months ago I started to feel like I had kidney or liver stones. My torso would hurt real bad, then not at all. Like phantom back pain. It would come and go... mostly go but once in a while it would rear up and I'd take some ibuprofen and be fine.
About 2 months ago I thought I was undergoing the "change". Started eating tofu and taking women's herbal tinctures. Felt great... the night sweats went away for a while.
Then they came back. With a vengeance. I didn't have insurance and so I did the worst thing I could do. I hid it from my family and just tried to keep working the temp job I found to make ends meet.
On Aug 4th my oldest hound, the last of the original 4 hounds passed from infection due to fibrosarcoma. Tony was his dog daddy and was devastated. Tiger Jr, ATB.
On Aug 6th we were working on tightening up the sanctuary idea to pitch to a not-for-profit incubator to buy the land we'd found.
That night I started sweating at Tony's house. I woke up in the car as he was speeding to the hospital.
They did a ct scan/x rays... I had developed metastatic cancer. Started in my colon and spread to liver and lungs.
I spent the next 15 days or so in the hospital. During that time Tony hardly left my side.
But he doesn't complain, trying to find some way to make stuff happen for me.
I don't have insurance and I cannot pay for treatment.
In addition to immunomodulation therapy, I need to travel to California (new radiation therapy) and to Alabama(cancer trials) and Mexico. My cancer is complex and it requires phases of care that not all hospitals do. I also believe in holistic care.
Beyond the payments for treatment and medicines, there's also food and lodging and flights, which explains the large amount. I want everyone to understand that I KNOW every dollar counts. Please give what you can and spread via social media like wildfire. That's just as important.
They gave me a modest prognosis to live at least 5 years if I get all these treatments. I'll take it. I want to live and fight and save more lives. If I don't get the treatment I may pass on in a few months.
I spent years in Corporate America trying to scrimp and save to get by so I could finally have my slice of the pie and share it with my family, friends, and of course the fur babies. I pushed too hard. I didn't take care of myself and I got sick.
But I still have my dream.
CANCER IS NOT TAKING THAT AWAY FROM ME.
If you are seeing this campaign, it's very likely you are a dog person. You've read my stories, I've read yours. We've laughed and cried a lot together over the years. You know how dedicated I am to being a dog mom. I'm fighting for life here. I need these treatments.
I need your help. These monies shall be put in trust to manage my care and medical expenses.
I'm currently behind $2k in bills and need the care I described above.
I'm not only fighting for me; I'm fighting for the privilege of giving back and continuing as a steward of these beautiful animals I love so much. I’m fighting to remain a member of my family.
I have so much to do. Please pray for me and help however you can. I promise I will pay it forward. We can beat this.
About 9 months ago I lost my job with a great insurance plan. Several hundred people were downsized. My best friend's business was struggling but he was able to help me a great deal. He'd make the best dad in the world. I know he wants sons and daughters as well as fur kids, but given what I'm about to say, that's just not in the cards.
But he's the greatest guy in the world. He's helped me every step of my adult life and I couldn't ask for a better guardian, protector, friend. If you know him, you know why I call Tony "my Tiger"... he really is that larger than life guy who would do anything for me and his family.
I've always been healthy as a horse. I always thought life insurance was a waste of money because I never saw something like this coming.
Let me explain.
About 3 months ago I started to feel like I had kidney or liver stones. My torso would hurt real bad, then not at all. Like phantom back pain. It would come and go... mostly go but once in a while it would rear up and I'd take some ibuprofen and be fine.
About 2 months ago I thought I was undergoing the "change". Started eating tofu and taking women's herbal tinctures. Felt great... the night sweats went away for a while.
Then they came back. With a vengeance. I didn't have insurance and so I did the worst thing I could do. I hid it from my family and just tried to keep working the temp job I found to make ends meet.
On Aug 4th my oldest hound, the last of the original 4 hounds passed from infection due to fibrosarcoma. Tony was his dog daddy and was devastated. Tiger Jr, ATB.
On Aug 6th we were working on tightening up the sanctuary idea to pitch to a not-for-profit incubator to buy the land we'd found.
That night I started sweating at Tony's house. I woke up in the car as he was speeding to the hospital.
They did a ct scan/x rays... I had developed metastatic cancer. Started in my colon and spread to liver and lungs.
I spent the next 15 days or so in the hospital. During that time Tony hardly left my side.
But he doesn't complain, trying to find some way to make stuff happen for me.
I don't have insurance and I cannot pay for treatment.
In addition to immunomodulation therapy, I need to travel to California (new radiation therapy) and to Alabama(cancer trials) and Mexico. My cancer is complex and it requires phases of care that not all hospitals do. I also believe in holistic care.
Beyond the payments for treatment and medicines, there's also food and lodging and flights, which explains the large amount. I want everyone to understand that I KNOW every dollar counts. Please give what you can and spread via social media like wildfire. That's just as important.
They gave me a modest prognosis to live at least 5 years if I get all these treatments. I'll take it. I want to live and fight and save more lives. If I don't get the treatment I may pass on in a few months.
I spent years in Corporate America trying to scrimp and save to get by so I could finally have my slice of the pie and share it with my family, friends, and of course the fur babies. I pushed too hard. I didn't take care of myself and I got sick.
But I still have my dream.
CANCER IS NOT TAKING THAT AWAY FROM ME.
If you are seeing this campaign, it's very likely you are a dog person. You've read my stories, I've read yours. We've laughed and cried a lot together over the years. You know how dedicated I am to being a dog mom. I'm fighting for life here. I need these treatments.
I need your help. These monies shall be put in trust to manage my care and medical expenses.
I'm currently behind $2k in bills and need the care I described above.
I'm not only fighting for me; I'm fighting for the privilege of giving back and continuing as a steward of these beautiful animals I love so much. I’m fighting to remain a member of my family.
I have so much to do. Please pray for me and help however you can. I promise I will pay it forward. We can beat this.
Organizer
Toni Orlicki
Organizer
San Tan Valley, AZ
