Mike's Medical Dialysis Fund
Donation protected
Mike started dialysis December 24, 2017-what a horrible Christmas gift!
Mike, 47, took care of his parents (they lived with him) until their deaths a few years ago. He worked for others very hard as a chef the past 25 years but his dream was to open his very own sandwich shop and name it after his now deceased Dad, Smitty. In August, 2015 his dream was realized and he opened Smitty's Steaks in Bloomsburg PA.
Not long after opening he started not feeling well. Gout and excess fluid retention were some of his conditions. He was on his feet 14 hours a day, 7 days a week trying to make a go of his new adventure.
In December, after seeing his doctor, he was told his kidneys are very weak and he would need dialysis immediately, 3 times a week for the rest of his life.
He is devastated and scared! And because he put all his money into getting his business going, he was unable to afford the cost of insurance let alone all the medical bills that are now accruing fast.
His treatments are $1200 per treatment.
$3600 per week!
$14,400 per month!
He applied for help with medical costs through Medicare but he must be on dialysis for 3 months before they will help.
The dialysis is making him feel much better - 35 pounds of water has been removed from his body so far!
But his medical bills are piling up and his doctor wants him to close up Smitty's for his health! But how can he with no income and no way to pay his medical bills, medications, make his house payments or buy food?
And more bad news, he must also see a cardiologist this week for tests. He's had hypertension since he was 20.
His bills are stacking up fast and he also has lost income due to the dialysis 3 times a week.
Mike needs help fast! He's afraid of losing his house and having nowhere to go with his 6 pets, and having to close Smitty's for good!
Mike sometimes feels so helpless, but he has his "kids" (a dog and 5 cats, all rescues) that keep him going.
This is sweet Henry, he was a stray Mike took in.
This is Raymond, he loves to lick Mike's hair after a shower. He showed up on Mike's porch so he fed him then had to bring him in.
This is Franklin, right after Mike found him hiding under his truck!
This is Ophelia, right after Mike found her on his porch. She was a little beat up and had a cut on her side but she's ok now. Mike found her about a week after Franklin and thinks she is Franklin's sister.
This is Stewart, he was a displaced kitten from the 2011 flood in Bloomsburg, PA.
This is Mortimer, he was hiding as a stray in the basement of Smitty's. Mike fed him and afterwards, Mortimer followed Mike back into Smitty's and that was that!
Please help if you can. Anything will help and be greatly appreciated!
Will you please Share Mike's story?
$50,000 will barely cover his dialysis until Medicare starts at the end of March and we don't know yet what his heart treatment will be.
This is breaking my heart, but Mike has a huge heart (even though he trys to act so tough) and has always taken care of others and his "kids", let's please help him.
All donations will go directly to Mike to help with his growing medical bills.
THANK YOU in advance!
Mike, 47, took care of his parents (they lived with him) until their deaths a few years ago. He worked for others very hard as a chef the past 25 years but his dream was to open his very own sandwich shop and name it after his now deceased Dad, Smitty. In August, 2015 his dream was realized and he opened Smitty's Steaks in Bloomsburg PA.
Not long after opening he started not feeling well. Gout and excess fluid retention were some of his conditions. He was on his feet 14 hours a day, 7 days a week trying to make a go of his new adventure.
In December, after seeing his doctor, he was told his kidneys are very weak and he would need dialysis immediately, 3 times a week for the rest of his life.
He is devastated and scared! And because he put all his money into getting his business going, he was unable to afford the cost of insurance let alone all the medical bills that are now accruing fast.
His treatments are $1200 per treatment.
$3600 per week!
$14,400 per month!
He applied for help with medical costs through Medicare but he must be on dialysis for 3 months before they will help.
The dialysis is making him feel much better - 35 pounds of water has been removed from his body so far!
But his medical bills are piling up and his doctor wants him to close up Smitty's for his health! But how can he with no income and no way to pay his medical bills, medications, make his house payments or buy food?
And more bad news, he must also see a cardiologist this week for tests. He's had hypertension since he was 20.
His bills are stacking up fast and he also has lost income due to the dialysis 3 times a week.
Mike needs help fast! He's afraid of losing his house and having nowhere to go with his 6 pets, and having to close Smitty's for good!
Mike sometimes feels so helpless, but he has his "kids" (a dog and 5 cats, all rescues) that keep him going.
This is sweet Henry, he was a stray Mike took in.
This is Raymond, he loves to lick Mike's hair after a shower. He showed up on Mike's porch so he fed him then had to bring him in.This is Franklin, right after Mike found him hiding under his truck!This is Ophelia, right after Mike found her on his porch. She was a little beat up and had a cut on her side but she's ok now. Mike found her about a week after Franklin and thinks she is Franklin's sister.This is Stewart, he was a displaced kitten from the 2011 flood in Bloomsburg, PA.This is Mortimer, he was hiding as a stray in the basement of Smitty's. Mike fed him and afterwards, Mortimer followed Mike back into Smitty's and that was that!Please help if you can. Anything will help and be greatly appreciated!
Will you please Share Mike's story?
$50,000 will barely cover his dialysis until Medicare starts at the end of March and we don't know yet what his heart treatment will be.
This is breaking my heart, but Mike has a huge heart (even though he trys to act so tough) and has always taken care of others and his "kids", let's please help him.
All donations will go directly to Mike to help with his growing medical bills.
THANK YOU in advance!
Organizer and beneficiary
Joelle Girton Leh
Organizer
Bloomsburg, PA
Michael Smith
Beneficiary
