Help My Daddy LIVE!
Hi, everyone!
Being that this is the first time
I've ever done this, and I'm not totally certain who all will view/donate to
this page, let me introduce myself, our family, and tell you a little about my
dad and the dilemma he's in...
My name is Anne (the one in the white
top, above)... My dad, Gene, is the one on the far right, in yellow. My
brother, Alex, is standing next to my dad, and my brother, Eric, is in the
green next to me. My sister-in-law, Lindsay, is standing next to Eric holding
my niece, Ally, and Lily, my other niece, is standing in front of them. My mom,
Kriss, is in the purple shirt and my husband, Justin is the tall guy in the
middle... This is a picture from our wedding reception in June 2011.
So now that you know some of our
family, let me first say "thank you" for even viewing this page and
quadruple-"thanks" if you're kind enough to make a donation.
This summer (August 2012) after
returning home from vacation down here in the south (where I live), my folks
returned home to NY (where they live) and Dad found himself in a lot of pain.
Long story short, he went to the emergency room and after several xrays and
scans, found out he had pancreatic cancer. My family lives in a very small town
in NY and after several trips to
However, the story doesn't end here.
My dad has faithfully worked at a tile plant close to home for 32 years... and
in the midst of all this cancer mess, found out that the tile plant will be
closing its doors this month, (December 12th, 2012). We are very thankful that
the cancer showed up when it did, as Dad still has his job and insurance,
however when he loses his job in a week, he also loses his insurance. He has
submitted his application to several places, but in this small area, there
aren't many places hiring, nor many jobs that offer insurance...
My mom has done extensive research on
picking up some kind of insurance they can afford...She, unfortunately, battles
seasonal depression herself, (and lately, "seasonal" meaning ALL
seasons!) - and has been ordered to be off work for awhile. So basically, in
about a week, both my folks will be without jobs and the insurance is done
January 11th, 2013 and none of us are sure what the future holds.
We are all thrilled that the latest
scans came back clear, but the doctors warn the cancer is likely to come back.
As of now, no chemotherapy or radiation has been ordered by the doctor, but
they want him to come back once a week for the first three months for something
they call "sandostatin shots" (a form of hormone replacement therapy
to help build his immunity and fight off the return of any cancerous cells) and
once a month for the REST of his life. Shots, huh? That doesn't sound too bad.
EXCEPT, the shots are $4,000 EACH! Ouch. Two people without jobs (not by
choice!) plus no insurance and no clear path for the future equals some
frustrated, uncertain, confused and scared individuals.
We're all the "praying
kind" and have all found our own degrees of comfort in the midst of this
mess, not only by praying to the Good Lord on our own, but by all the prayers,
support and well-wishes from all of our friends, family and acquaintances
around us.
I've decided to create this
fundraising page, without even asking my parents permission to do so. They have
always been "givers" and each struggle with receiving. They're not
"heavy spenders" and have never spent beyond their means. They're two
really good people, with really big hearts, always willing to lend a hand and
give whatever they can to help the next guy... never asking for anything in
return.
I, personally, LOVE the feeling I get
when performing random acts of kindness, surprising someone with something they
weren't expecting, and just showing love to people "just because" :)
I'd like to say that I've created
this page, not to "beg" for help... though I know that is essentially
what I'm doing, but in the bigger sense of what I see this page accomplishing
(with your help)... I will receive the greatest JOY in knowing that there are
still giving, loving, kind-hearted, unselfish, caring individuals who are
willing to give just a little bit of what they have to someone they may not
even know for the sake of seeing those people feel loved and wanting them to
experience life TO THE FULL.
Thanks for helping me accomplish
this. I have set the goal at $12,000.00. (I first typed in $4,000.00, then
$8,000.00, and just now changed it to $12,000.00) I have absolutely no idea if
that amount will be achieved... and I do think it's a pretty lofty number to
come out and "beg" people to help give... but in the grand scheme of
what's happening... $12,000.00 (without insurance) is the equivalent of THREE
shots (not even the first month's treatment)...
UPDATE: I had originally set the goal
at $12,000 because Dad's shots are going to be $4,000 each and my parents
didn't have definitive plans for picking up insurance. However, we have
recently learned that Dad will be able to pick up COBRA insurance once the
doors close at the tile plant. The payments will not be cheap, but far cheaper
than covering the cost of each shot individually. Any donations received will
be used for COBRA payments (and copays that have already piled up). They can
continue using COBRA for up to 18 months, but in the meantime, Mom and Dad are
still diligently searching for jobs that offer permanent benefits.
If you aren't able to help by
donating, but have taken the time to read through this entire message, the only
thing I do still ask of you, is that you say a little prayer for my dad AND
mom, and just ask for Jesus' COMPLETE healing for their bodies, minds and
spirits.
Thanks so much for your time, prayers
and donations! Any and all donations received will go to Dad and Mom and
will be spent on COBRA payments, copays, and medically-related travel expenses.
Thanks again!
Still in One Peace,
Anne
P.S. All are welcome to share this
link wherever you desire. Many thanks!! :D
**Anne promises to remove this page
when Dad lands another job with insurance or Mom finds suitable/affordable
insurance outside of acquiring new jobs. Both are actively searching!**
