Kim Tavares Help Me Help My Brother
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Without a moment’s notice our world was upended. Last week, my outwardly healthy appearing, energetic, and vibrant brother, Todd felt a sudden sense of pain on the left side of his face. Being relatively young and active, he wrote it off as just a toothache. Days later the pain had not subsided and the same side of his face started to swell. The swelling increased daily until it was alarmingly enlarged.
On Tuesday, August 14th, nearly two weeks after his birthday, Todd was tragically diagnosed with a rare form of sinus cancer. He has been living in the area of Deltona, FL and emergency medical services transferred him directly to Gainesville's UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital, one of the leading oncology facilities in the country.
72 hours later, Todd underwent his first of several rounds of chemotherapy. The hope is to shrink the mass, contain the cancer and attempt to eradicate the cancer cells.
I flew down to Gainesville , FL from Boston, MA and have been staying in his hospital room for the last 5 days. Our new reality is that my baby brother will require continued treatment with both chemotherapy and radiation. He will initially be an inpatient and if all goes well he’ll be phased to outpatient over the next 4 to 6 weeks. The totality of his treatment will require him to stay in the Gainesville area in close proximity to Shands Hospital. Unfortunately, we have no family in the area which will require me to travel back and forth between Boston and Gainesville for the duration of his lengthy treatment. When he is well he enough, Todd will be transferred to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh and I want to make that transition seamless.
Our request, goal and my sincere hope is to raise money for his care. We are certain the costs will be staggering. We are also certain that every penny raised will go towards Todd’s care. Once our family has stabilized we are committed to paying every penny forward! As many of you know, I am a Boston Police Officer and I took an oath 17 years ago to “Protect and Serve” The Job can be very stressful, but I’ve remained strong, vigilant, and I’ll continue to keep the same loving, caring, nurturing positive spirit that GOD gave.
We are profoundly grateful for all the love, support and prayers we’ve received from so many. We are committed to saving Todd’s life! No big sister wants to see her little brother endure such a nightmare. I am determined to shine light after it is my job to “Protect and Serve!”
Kim Tavares
On Tuesday, August 14th, nearly two weeks after his birthday, Todd was tragically diagnosed with a rare form of sinus cancer. He has been living in the area of Deltona, FL and emergency medical services transferred him directly to Gainesville's UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital, one of the leading oncology facilities in the country.
72 hours later, Todd underwent his first of several rounds of chemotherapy. The hope is to shrink the mass, contain the cancer and attempt to eradicate the cancer cells.
I flew down to Gainesville , FL from Boston, MA and have been staying in his hospital room for the last 5 days. Our new reality is that my baby brother will require continued treatment with both chemotherapy and radiation. He will initially be an inpatient and if all goes well he’ll be phased to outpatient over the next 4 to 6 weeks. The totality of his treatment will require him to stay in the Gainesville area in close proximity to Shands Hospital. Unfortunately, we have no family in the area which will require me to travel back and forth between Boston and Gainesville for the duration of his lengthy treatment. When he is well he enough, Todd will be transferred to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh and I want to make that transition seamless.
Our request, goal and my sincere hope is to raise money for his care. We are certain the costs will be staggering. We are also certain that every penny raised will go towards Todd’s care. Once our family has stabilized we are committed to paying every penny forward! As many of you know, I am a Boston Police Officer and I took an oath 17 years ago to “Protect and Serve” The Job can be very stressful, but I’ve remained strong, vigilant, and I’ll continue to keep the same loving, caring, nurturing positive spirit that GOD gave.
We are profoundly grateful for all the love, support and prayers we’ve received from so many. We are committed to saving Todd’s life! No big sister wants to see her little brother endure such a nightmare. I am determined to shine light after it is my job to “Protect and Serve!”
Kim Tavares
Organizer
Kim Tavares
Organizer
Boston, MA
