Hi everyone,

We’re reaching out on behalf of Andy, the incredible father of our friend Leah Tremmel, who is currently in the fight of his life against cancer.

Andy has been undergoing treatment with incredible strength and resilience, but the cancer has now spread to his lymph nodes, making his journey even more difficult. On top of this, his FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) benefits are running out at the end of August.

This means that unless Andy returns to work, he is at high risk of losing his job and his health coverage. His Union has denied his short term disability even after appealing it, which has caused him to lose his income, going on three months unpaid time off. Another option we are shooting for is taking an approved leave of absence from work which requires Andy to keep his health insurance pay out of his own pocket, $950 a month United Healthcare health insurance.

And another heartbreaking part: Andy can’t continue chemo while working—his body simply can’t handle both at once. Let alone the Union may not approve him working while pursuing Chemo as a CDL licensed driver. So unless we can come together and help, Andy will be forced to pause treatment until January, when he becomes eligible for FMLA again. That’s time he may not have.

We’re hoping to raise funds that will allow Andy to focus entirely on his health and hopefully securing his job security with his Union (which may result in a long term fight) & hopefully God willing, be able to continue his treatment without interruption —not paying bills, job security and most importantly not losing his home.

Andy is the kind of person who would do anything for the people he loves. He has showed up as a community member for others his entire life. Many people can testify for Andy to the honorable man he is, the loving husband, admirable father and caring friend he is to many. He deserves a fighting chance without the financial stress that comes with this brutal disease.

On behalf of his daughter Leah-

“My dad’s story is one that I will never be able to fully explain, I have watched my dad receive the short end of the stick my entire life. My father was abandoned by his biological mother at six months old, to be adopted by the most loving mother here in Northeast. She raised him to be the blueprint for many men. My dad was a young, troubled alcoholic who turned his life around, chose sobriety, leaned into fatherhood and being a loyal, loving husband in 1994 and has remained sober to this day, providing countless words of wisdom to many of my struggling friends on how to live a life worth living. My father worked for a company for 23 years only to be let go when he tore his shoulder after years of physical labor. My dad then was diagnosed with skin cancer on his eyelid which was a tough fight with surgery that he overcame in 2015. He then moved into recycle for a Union for the last 6 years. I’ve watched my dad call in sick to work twice in the last 30 years. I’ve watched my dad hit 60 hour work weeks more than I could ever count. I’ve watched my dad lose his sister to brain cancer, and almost every one of his closest friends to tragic deaths. I’ve seen my father coast paycheck to paycheck my whole life without ever receiving a handout, and never complain about it. My dad is 58 and deserves to live until retirement where he can live a life with my mom and his dogs who he loves so deeply. He did not work his entire life to get this far for nothing. My dad is the true definition of a blue collar hard working American, yet America’s whole system is failing him along side so many others. Asking for donations feels nothing less than difficult especially in a time and current state of our country. As my father is a true man of God, if donations are not able, please pray for him in this journey. Thank you to everyone who is supporting us.”

Please consider donating if you’re able—every little bit helps, and your support will go directly toward covering Andy’s living expenses, treatment costs, and keeping a roof over his head while he heals.

If you can’t donate, sharing this page means the world to us.

Thank you for being part of Andy’s fight. Let’s help give him the time, care, and peace he needs to get through this.

With love and gratitude,

Team Andy