Larry's Fight For Care

Many of my friends in the classic car world will recognize Larry Hankins. He and his wife Elaine  own Village Upholstery in Highland Village, TX.  Larry has done the interiors on countless classic cars for many years and is a very talented man and very well known in our area. He has spent many long nights in his workshop (in his home) finishing up a car so the owner can make it to Good Guys on time or Autorama.  The one thing many people were not aware of, is that Larry was just recently diagnoses with stage 4 melanoma cancer. It all started with a small lump behind his ear. I will not get into  all of that. I will say that the dermatologist that diagnosed it recommended a top oncologist at UT Southwester / Parkland and Larry called his office.  He gets $700. for a 5 minute consultation and require 10 visits. This is not counting medications or treatment.  What I am here to say is that Larry has no insurance. He is self employed and thanks to our wonderful current health care under Obama Care, premiums are so high, that he cannot afford them. People say " why not just get a loan on your house so you can get insurance". Well folks, do your homework, Larry is un-insurable right now.  We have had our own insurance broker try all of that already. Larry and his wife have been on the phone for days calling Dr.s and hospitals and trying to find someone who can help. He is going to need to get on a regiment of shots that cost over $2300. per shot.  We have considered Parkland Hospital, but unless you live in Dallas County, they will not help. I am not going to get on my political soap box here, but we have a serious problem and people need help. Larry is just one of the many. He will be 65 in December and will be able to get Medicare. Why not wait? Because, he has no time to wait. He needs treatment now. Even with Medicare and a drug coverage plan, at the cost of Keytruda or a similar treatment, he would be maxed out on his total in the first month and a half. He will still need extra funds. Also, Larry's sole income is his work. Once he begins a treatment regimen, he may not be able to work. His bills will go on, and if he has borrowed money against his home, he may not be able to make those payments. It's a vicious cycle, and I just want to ask all of our friends to please at least help he and Elaine to get over this first hump and get enough cash to be able to walk into a Dr's office and say he has cash to cover visits and get the help he needs right now. 
If our goal seems high, I just based it on what visits to an oncologist and a few months of drugs will likely cost him. Why give to a man you may not even know? There are thousands of us out there in the classic car world who are always here to throw $20. out to enter a car show, all I am asking is that you throw that $20. into a large pot to help a fellow car guy who desperately needs our help right now. We also need to send many prayers his way. Thank you all.