Keep Helping Papa Gonzo ❤️❤️
Donation protected
Some of you may already know... my Dad, affectionately known to most as “Papa Gonzo,” was diagnosed with Stage 4 Head & Neck cancer back in February 2019. He’d had a growth on his neck for a while, and the pain was starting to be unbearable for him. So he finally went to the doctor and got checked out. Unfortunately, the cancer had already spread from his neck to his liver, giving the Stage 4 diagnosis.
Gonzo is in good spirits, and so far his body is handling the aggressive course of treatment quite well. He’s had 3 chemotherapy sessions since mid-February, and he has another one coming up in late April. His doctors say this type of cancer is treatable, and if treatment works he should be around for several more years to watch the Detroit Lions break our hearts some more.
Dad is currently on short term disability while undergoing treatment, and taking care of himself to get better and heal. Unfortunately, short term disability only pays for 12 weeks, and it’s just 60% of his pay. We aren’t sure when Gonzo might be able to return to work. It will likely be after his ST disability runs out, meaning a lapse in any money coming in.
My Dad has been the primary care giver to Jamie for at least a decade, working paycheck-to-paycheck to cover all the bills each month. Only receiving 60% of his pay doesn’t come close to covering the rent, bills, medications, groceries, and costly medical bills starting to come in.
So here I am, asking my friends and family to help my Dad. It was really difficult to create this page and write about it, because it’s never easy to ask for help. Living away from my Dad in Chicago while he’s in South Florida already makes it tough - I can’t just drop by with dinner, or take him to an appointment and sit with him in person for moral support. Alex and I are in the middle of planning and paying for our upcoming wedding, plus we just bought a house last August. We are helping Gonzo as much as we can, but my Dad needs more help financially. When going through cancer treatment, the last thing anyone needs is added stress because of money.
Thank you in advance for any help you can give Papa Gonzo. If you know my Dad, you know how big his heart is and that he would take the shirt off his back for almost anyone. We just want him to be able to continue receiving the treatment he needs to beat this cancer diagnosis, and not be so stressed about not being able to work while undergoing treatment. Thank you guys so much. ❤️
Gonzo is in good spirits, and so far his body is handling the aggressive course of treatment quite well. He’s had 3 chemotherapy sessions since mid-February, and he has another one coming up in late April. His doctors say this type of cancer is treatable, and if treatment works he should be around for several more years to watch the Detroit Lions break our hearts some more.
Dad is currently on short term disability while undergoing treatment, and taking care of himself to get better and heal. Unfortunately, short term disability only pays for 12 weeks, and it’s just 60% of his pay. We aren’t sure when Gonzo might be able to return to work. It will likely be after his ST disability runs out, meaning a lapse in any money coming in.
My Dad has been the primary care giver to Jamie for at least a decade, working paycheck-to-paycheck to cover all the bills each month. Only receiving 60% of his pay doesn’t come close to covering the rent, bills, medications, groceries, and costly medical bills starting to come in.
So here I am, asking my friends and family to help my Dad. It was really difficult to create this page and write about it, because it’s never easy to ask for help. Living away from my Dad in Chicago while he’s in South Florida already makes it tough - I can’t just drop by with dinner, or take him to an appointment and sit with him in person for moral support. Alex and I are in the middle of planning and paying for our upcoming wedding, plus we just bought a house last August. We are helping Gonzo as much as we can, but my Dad needs more help financially. When going through cancer treatment, the last thing anyone needs is added stress because of money.
Thank you in advance for any help you can give Papa Gonzo. If you know my Dad, you know how big his heart is and that he would take the shirt off his back for almost anyone. We just want him to be able to continue receiving the treatment he needs to beat this cancer diagnosis, and not be so stressed about not being able to work while undergoing treatment. Thank you guys so much. ❤️
Organizer and beneficiary
Monica Switzer
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Jose Gonzalez
Beneficiary