Billy's Fight Against Human T-lymphotropic Virus

Hi, my name is Samantha, and I want to tell you a little about my brother. My brother, Christopher "Billy" Baron and our family were separated when he and I were toddlers. After decades of searching, we were finally reunited! He's a beautiful human being with two children, Kathryn and Oliver and a fantastic wife and partner, Stacy. Our happy ending hit a wall when we learned of his recent diagnosis.

Billy was in a car accident that nearly took his life. He's a fighter and survived through intensive care and many blood transfusions. Not long after, he received the news that his blood infusions had been tainted with Human T-lymphotropic virus. The diagnosis is terminal, and because the virus is so rare, is understudied, and as it stands, there are few known treatments, all of which he has exhausted. Death frequently occurs from treatment-refractory disease or opportunistic infection. His diagnosis's median survival rate is 2–4 years.

As you can imagine, this was an emotional revelation for everyone involved. He was undergoing intensive treatments and therapies, including chemotherapy and rediation. His current life expectancy is about two years. Still, there has been a steep decline in his ability to perform day-to-day tasks, including supporting his family via his postition as Taekwondo Master at his dojang in Azusa, California. Every single day, in immeasurable and unimaginable amounts of pain, he smiles through hours at work, pushing his body to the absolute limits causing further strain and injury on his body.

To a family already in financial distress due to mounting medical bills and Billy's inevitable departure from his career and passion as Taekwondo Master, his treatment at Cedar Sinai brings hope but added medical costs that can't be met. Recently, we've helped him transition care to Cedars-Sanai Hospital in Los Angeles in the hopes that a bigger hospital with more resources and an excellent reputation might have access to clinical trials to lengthen and increase his quality of life. Unfortunately, these tests and subsequent interventions won't be covered by insurance. Billy can no longer drive due to the advancement of his illness. With an hour commute each way from Cedars-Sinai Hospital, transportation logistics of his wife being his primary mode of transport and costs of gasoline and time away from Stacy's work to transport him will be difficult to maintain financially.

Here is my impassioned plea.

Suppose everyone in our lives could spare just $5 towards supporting his testing and treatment at Ceder Sinai. We could keep him here even a little longer and a bit more comfortable with his children, wife and family, who have a heartbreaking time imagining life without him. We could help keep his family's basic needs met while he receives treatment that will keep him in the hospital and out of work.

We know times are difficult for many at this time in history, and not everyone has the means to donate. Just you reading and sharing this offers visibility and support to our family.

From our family to you and yours, thank you.