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Cheri Sandland's Medical Expenses

Thank you for visiting my aunt Cheri's webpage. My mom (Cheri's sister) and I established this page to help Cheri pay for costs incurred as a result of extensive surgery for advanced periodontal disease likely caused by long term use of anti-seizure medications.

Cheri's story:

In November 2012, Cheri was seen in a local emergency room in central Texas for severe pain in her jaw. She was sent to an oral surgeon immediately and it was discovered that she had advanced periodontal disease with significant bone loss. She was sent home with pain medication and antibiotics and was told that the treatment she needed would cost approximately $42,000.00. To stop the bone loss and infection from spreading, Cheri would need to have all of her teeth pulled, portions of her jaw removed, and implants to restore the functionality of her jaw. Because she did not have medical insurance, Cheri's local hospital required complete payment prior to surgery and would not admit her otherwise.

After seeking advice from numerous agencies and organizations in Texas including Cheri's mother contacting the Governor's office directly, Cheri sought help from the Department of Human Services in Houston. Again, she was turned away for assistance because she had a job, did not have children and was not disabled. Her earned income placed her just slightly above the income requirement for help from the state. By early February 2013 immediate action was desperately needed. Cheri decided to have surgery in Mexico where the projected costs were half of what she was quoted in Texas. After the surgery Cheri was told that if she had waited any longer, the infection would have spread to her brain.

Unfortunately, Cheri earns a modest income and can't afford to pay for the cost of surgery on her own. Cheri's family and friends have done everything to try to help her. She runs a one-person barber shop in rural Texas and was unable to work as her health deteriorated. Moreover, after surgery, she required significant recovery time away from her job as her bills continued to mount. Cheri is a proud, productive and independent member of her community, but is now at risk of losing her rented trailer house and can't meet basic financial expenses.

Cheri is hoping to return to Mexico to undergo extensive reconstructive surgery in September if her bone structure has healed. She needs assistance with additional travel fees and medical expenses, including anesthesiologist and oral surgeon fees, lodging, travel to and from the doctor's office and lost business wages. Thus far, Cheri has incurred over $25,000.00 in medical and related expenses.

Cheri is a good person who has fallen through the cracks. Please consider donating to help her with her medical expenses so she can return to health and a productive life. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Julie Thompson (Cheri's sister)
Steph Thompson (Cheri's niece)
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Donations 

  • Jami Poeppel
    • $200 
    • 11 yrs
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Organizer

Steph Thompson
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY

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