Joey's Medical Fund
Donation protected
As some know, and some do not, my brother Joey Samulcek was diagnosed with brain cancer this year.
Here's the story:
Three years ago an MRI revealed an unknown mass in Joey's brain and he underwent surgery to access and diagnose the mass. It was a tumor, it was removed, and it was thankfully determined to be benign at that time. Unfortunately though, the story did not end there.
After the surgery Joey started having seizures, often severe, resulting in additional injuries, hospital visits, and prescribed medications.
Then, in January of this year, after a particularly bad convulsive attack (grand mal seizure) landed him in the ER, a new MRI scan revealed that the mass seemed to have returned.
Joey underwent brain surgery for a second time on March 30th, 2017. Two weeks later we learned the results of the biopsy: malignant and aggressive cells--cancer.
Joey began chemotherapy and radiation on May 17th of this year. Chemo will be ongoing, and he gets radiation treatments 6 days a week for 8 weeks. At that time, new scans and tests will be done and we'll find out what happens next.
Joey has insurance provided by his employer, and he still goes to work daily. However, the surgeries, scans, hospital stays, ambulance trips, and medications have nonetheless already amounted to over $40,000 billed to be paid out-of-pocket.
We are setting a goal much lower, and even if we do not reach that, we are thankful for any contribution. The main goal here is to just have this place for anyone who would like to contribute to do so. This page can and will also serve as a gathering place for support and for updates on Joey's condition and progress.
Joey is of course very dear to us, as family, as a friend, and as an artist:
As he is fond of saying lately--no pity party here. The hope is that after these months of treatment, he will be cancer-free and looking forward to a bright future.
With love from the Samulcek family, thank you for reading, donating, and sharing this page.
Here's the story:
Three years ago an MRI revealed an unknown mass in Joey's brain and he underwent surgery to access and diagnose the mass. It was a tumor, it was removed, and it was thankfully determined to be benign at that time. Unfortunately though, the story did not end there.
After the surgery Joey started having seizures, often severe, resulting in additional injuries, hospital visits, and prescribed medications.
Then, in January of this year, after a particularly bad convulsive attack (grand mal seizure) landed him in the ER, a new MRI scan revealed that the mass seemed to have returned.
Joey underwent brain surgery for a second time on March 30th, 2017. Two weeks later we learned the results of the biopsy: malignant and aggressive cells--cancer.
Joey began chemotherapy and radiation on May 17th of this year. Chemo will be ongoing, and he gets radiation treatments 6 days a week for 8 weeks. At that time, new scans and tests will be done and we'll find out what happens next.
Joey has insurance provided by his employer, and he still goes to work daily. However, the surgeries, scans, hospital stays, ambulance trips, and medications have nonetheless already amounted to over $40,000 billed to be paid out-of-pocket.
We are setting a goal much lower, and even if we do not reach that, we are thankful for any contribution. The main goal here is to just have this place for anyone who would like to contribute to do so. This page can and will also serve as a gathering place for support and for updates on Joey's condition and progress.
Joey is of course very dear to us, as family, as a friend, and as an artist:
As he is fond of saying lately--no pity party here. The hope is that after these months of treatment, he will be cancer-free and looking forward to a bright future.
With love from the Samulcek family, thank you for reading, donating, and sharing this page.
Organizer
Holly Samulcek
Organizer
Mesa, AZ
