Arms Around the Allenbergs

In November of 2016, Michael Allenberg, my uncle, loving husband of Sheila Allenberg, my aunt,  and devoted father of twins Aidan and Annabella, was diagnosed with a very rare and very aggressive sarcoma. After extensive research, soul searching, and prayer the Allenbergs agreed to surgery in Atlanta and follow up with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. Expensive Holistic and alternative methods were also applied in hopes of full recovery. After returning home from MD Anderson the Allenberg Family had great hopes of being cancer-free. Throughout this time, Michael had a senior position complete with paid time off and short-term disability insurance to provide for himself and his family during medical leave and recovery. Unfortunately, mere weeks after his treatments ended, Michael was downsized from his position. With much contemplation, the family chose to relocate to Bluffton, SC from Atlanta, in the hopes of further reducing stress and putting the focus on his healing.

This journey and all of its related obstacles have made things difficult both emotionally and financially for the Allenberg Family. Unemployed for five months, Michael was finally able to secure a contract position in Atlanta, requiring him to be apart from his family 80% of the time. Without hesitation, Jason and Madeleine Jarrett, best friends of the Allenbergs, opened up their home for Michael to return to Atlanta and to ease the burden. Now the Allenberg family faces the same threat on a larger scale. Michael has regrowth of the sarcoma and the cancer is far more aggressive than the first time. With love and financial support, we can alleviate stress to help Michael and Sheila focus on winning this fight for good.

 *MD Anderson is a cancer hospital in Houston, Texas that has surgeons that have the expertise to perform the surgery and prevent permanent facial paralysis. Due to the rareness of this sarcoma, Michael has limited options. In short, the surgery is going to be complex and will be followed by recommended radiation therapy at MD Anderson to reduce odds of reoccurrence.

Michael Allenberg has an aggressive tumor which is classified as a grade 4 sarcoma. Surgery is scheduled for April 30 2018, with follow-up radiation treatments soon after. Michael will be out of work approximately 10 weeks. The family’s funds are now completely depleted due to the first round of fighting this cancer. With love and support, let’s put Arms Around the Allenbergs.

Note from Michael:

The past two years has been extremely hard on my family. With whole hearts, we fought and were not expecting a reoccurrence, much less this soon. Since Oct ’17, I have been working in Atlanta with my family still in Bluffton. This was due to lack of freelance/remote opportunities towards the end of Summer. It has been an incredible strain on my health and very stressful on Sheila. I will get through this surgery and recovery with my thoughts on God first and my family a close second. With help, we will repair and move forward. I cannot imagine a world without Sheila and the Twins in my life… And more appropriately, I cannot imagine me apart of theirs. My Wife Sheila lost her Father when she was 8 years old and that impacted her whole life. Aidan & Annabella will be 8 this Summer… I refuse to leave them!


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**The funds are needed as soon as possible. All family monies and credit have been depleted over the past two years from the first round of fighting. The surgery is scheduled for April 30. We have to be in Houston by April 23 for a week of pre-op appointments. Michael will be in the hospital for at least a week after surgery as well. After initial recovery from surgery, Michael is expected to undergo 6 weeks of radiation therapy. Your donations will help to advert from any further financial crisis allowing Michael to focus on getting well.

 
The $27,000.00 requested will be for the following:

1.     Help with ongoing medical expenses

2.     Travel and accommodations for the family for several weeks during preop, surgery, and recovery. The travel is from Atlanta to Houston.

3.     Michael will not be able to work during the surgery and recovery time, and as a contracted employee he will not have PTO. Your donations will support the family during those times.

4.     After initial surgical recovery, Michael will also undergo 6 weeks of radiation therapy where he will be unable to work as well.

5.     Funds can help ease stress and allow Michael to focus on recovery with his family.

 

Other ways YOU can help :

Prayers are far more powerful than money. We as a family believe that God is a Mighty God of Miracles and together through prayer Michael will have life, healing, and provision during his time of need!