My Donation Page
Donation protected
Hi,
Many of you know me from my career at Musician's Friend of 23 years. During those 23 years I got to know tons of really great people and I enjoyed both the business relationships and the personal ones immensely.
In January I was diagnosed with an incurable Liver Cancer. The only cure is a Liver Transplant and I was denied. My medical bills are astronomical and my Cobra Insurance package from Musician's Friend expires July 1, 2013. My portion of the medical bills are stacking up even with the Cobra Health Insurance covering their portion.
I recently spent two days and one night in the hospital with two procedures and the bill for that one event was over $40,000!
There is a 2-4% chance that I will get re-evaluated for a Liver Transplant and make it back onto the list but by that time my Cobra will be gone and so far I have not been able to secure Health Insurance because of my pre-existing condition with the cancer. The doctors don't expect me to live through the year but I plan to prove them wrong and beat the statistical odds. But meanwhile I must do everything I can to protect the very meager retirement funds so that my family is not left penniless or with finances in a shambles.
I am reaching out to all of you for any donations you can offer to help me offset the cost of this illness. I sincerely appreciate any and all donations and I know my family will also.
This is harder on my family than it is on me and they have been so strong and supportive that it brings tears to my eyes.
Short Family Bio
I met my Soul Mate, Ellie, here in Ashland, OR in 1978. We married in December 1980 and have enjoyed 32 wonderful years of marriage. We met through a friend because of our music and we have performed together ever since. She completes me in so many ways and music is a huge one.
We had our Son, Jesse, in August of 1981 and it was like being born again. We had a new purpose to our lives and have endeavored to be good parents and always his best friend.
Four years ago we took full custody of our only grandson, Dari. He is a wonderful, loving 5 year old boy with special needs. He is Down Syndrome and has some Autistic characteristics. He again brought an incredible love and purpose to our lives. Though we didn't plan to be parents again at 63, Dari has enriched our lives and taught us so much!
I really hate to be asking for financial help but the costs of fighting cancer are huge! Please donate if you can and what you can. It will be greatly appreciated by my whole family for sure.
I have added a couple of Rewards/Incentives for early contributors.
* Harry and David has offered to donate a $150 gift basket (fruits, cheeses and more) to the first 20 people that donate $500 to my fund.
* Premier Guitar has offered 20 free 1 year subscriptions to their great magazine to the first 20 people that donate $100 to my fund.
* Steve Clayton industries has offered to offer a bag of 100 Custom Guitar Picks to everyone who donates $100 to my fund. The picks will be art on one side and blank on the other. I recommend the Acetal material for maximum durability and tone.
A couple manufacturers have offered to donate gear that I can raffle or auction to raise additional funds. This option is available to all manufacturers.
I also know tons of Artists that have offered to autograph gear to increase the value of the equipment!
I love the music industry and all the great people I have been privileged to meet and call my friends. I hope I will have the opportunity to see you all at NAMM next year and thank you personally!!!
Best wishes to you all!
Steve Read
Many of you know me from my career at Musician's Friend of 23 years. During those 23 years I got to know tons of really great people and I enjoyed both the business relationships and the personal ones immensely.
In January I was diagnosed with an incurable Liver Cancer. The only cure is a Liver Transplant and I was denied. My medical bills are astronomical and my Cobra Insurance package from Musician's Friend expires July 1, 2013. My portion of the medical bills are stacking up even with the Cobra Health Insurance covering their portion.
I recently spent two days and one night in the hospital with two procedures and the bill for that one event was over $40,000!
There is a 2-4% chance that I will get re-evaluated for a Liver Transplant and make it back onto the list but by that time my Cobra will be gone and so far I have not been able to secure Health Insurance because of my pre-existing condition with the cancer. The doctors don't expect me to live through the year but I plan to prove them wrong and beat the statistical odds. But meanwhile I must do everything I can to protect the very meager retirement funds so that my family is not left penniless or with finances in a shambles.
I am reaching out to all of you for any donations you can offer to help me offset the cost of this illness. I sincerely appreciate any and all donations and I know my family will also.
This is harder on my family than it is on me and they have been so strong and supportive that it brings tears to my eyes.
Short Family Bio
I met my Soul Mate, Ellie, here in Ashland, OR in 1978. We married in December 1980 and have enjoyed 32 wonderful years of marriage. We met through a friend because of our music and we have performed together ever since. She completes me in so many ways and music is a huge one.
We had our Son, Jesse, in August of 1981 and it was like being born again. We had a new purpose to our lives and have endeavored to be good parents and always his best friend.
Four years ago we took full custody of our only grandson, Dari. He is a wonderful, loving 5 year old boy with special needs. He is Down Syndrome and has some Autistic characteristics. He again brought an incredible love and purpose to our lives. Though we didn't plan to be parents again at 63, Dari has enriched our lives and taught us so much!
I really hate to be asking for financial help but the costs of fighting cancer are huge! Please donate if you can and what you can. It will be greatly appreciated by my whole family for sure.
I have added a couple of Rewards/Incentives for early contributors.
* Harry and David has offered to donate a $150 gift basket (fruits, cheeses and more) to the first 20 people that donate $500 to my fund.
* Premier Guitar has offered 20 free 1 year subscriptions to their great magazine to the first 20 people that donate $100 to my fund.
* Steve Clayton industries has offered to offer a bag of 100 Custom Guitar Picks to everyone who donates $100 to my fund. The picks will be art on one side and blank on the other. I recommend the Acetal material for maximum durability and tone.
A couple manufacturers have offered to donate gear that I can raffle or auction to raise additional funds. This option is available to all manufacturers.
I also know tons of Artists that have offered to autograph gear to increase the value of the equipment!
I love the music industry and all the great people I have been privileged to meet and call my friends. I hope I will have the opportunity to see you all at NAMM next year and thank you personally!!!
Best wishes to you all!
Steve Read
Organizer
Steve Read
Organizer
Ashland, OR
