Boston Globe Widow in Urgent Need.
Donation protected
Ken Cafarell was many things to many people, among just a few items were a much respected, beloved and appreciated newsman, editor, professional colleague, beloved husband, father, friend, son, brother and so much more.
In every aspect of life, Ken displayed his impeccable character, friendship and humor, along with a lot of wit, intelligence and good old fashioned common sense and reason.
The unthinkable happened on January 3, 2016, when after a prolonged and tenacious fight which it appeared Ken was going to win, Ken passed away from a drug injected into his IV for his advanced congestive heart failure. He had been on the transplant list for 24 months and even allowed doctors to try an experimental surgery on him to help others with the same condition.The drug injected was not approved by his wife or even part of the experimental trial.
Ken's passing broke the hearts of his wife Karyn and daughter Samantha, not to mention the multitude of friends and colleagues Ken had gathered through the years in the news business as well as in all aspects of his life.
Since Kens passing, his wife and love of his life, Karyn Levine~Cafarell, has been dealt her own serious health battle. Adding stress to unbearable grief is the fact that Ken's previously beloved employer, The Boston Globe, refuses to pay~out Ken's documented additional life insurance benefit that he had taken out of his check weekly, leaving Karyn in an extremely vulnerable and enormously stressful position as she continues to battle her own very serious health issues. Karyn gave up her own company and career to take care of Ken full time for over two years so he could stay at home and not have to worry about getting to and from the hospital or about meals or medications. That was how completely they loved each other.
Asking for assistance, particularly financial assistance, is no easy task to say the least. It cuts deeply into ones pride and dignity. I ask on Karyn's behalf because she NEVER would ask. Those who know Karyn know how deep her and Ken's love was during their 33 years together and how deeply and passionately, caring and lovingly Karyn cared for Ken as his primary caregiver during his battle. She fought by his side and never gave up hope. Karyn always put Ken and her daughter as well as friends, first and foremost before she ever thought about herself.
To those who know me, know I value my friends and treasure those that care deeply for others. Karyn is exactly that type of friend. Please know I make this request on behalf of Karyn and in Kens memory, to help Karyn through this extremely difficult time so she can keep their family home and pay her own medical bills. It should again be noted that because Ken had purposely planned for Karyn through additional life insurance should anything happen to him, the current situation should not be occurring due to this insurance being inexplicably kept in limbo by Ken's employer. Karyn has been fighting this tirelessly to honor Ken and his wishes that she be able to stay in their family home. She has been put on ignore by the company.
To every friend I have ever had, business colleague, news media friend and colleague and everybody whom I have ever touched in life, you know I have never asked for anything beyond your prayers. This time, for a beloved friend, I ask for a bit more. I ask, from my heart and the depths of my soul to PLEASE help my dear friend, who helped me enormously through my own cancer battle, with as generous a donation as you can spare. My friend Karyn is in a precarious health and financial crisis and I thank you and love you for any financial support you can provide.
Your friend
Dan Totten
In every aspect of life, Ken displayed his impeccable character, friendship and humor, along with a lot of wit, intelligence and good old fashioned common sense and reason.
The unthinkable happened on January 3, 2016, when after a prolonged and tenacious fight which it appeared Ken was going to win, Ken passed away from a drug injected into his IV for his advanced congestive heart failure. He had been on the transplant list for 24 months and even allowed doctors to try an experimental surgery on him to help others with the same condition.The drug injected was not approved by his wife or even part of the experimental trial.
Ken's passing broke the hearts of his wife Karyn and daughter Samantha, not to mention the multitude of friends and colleagues Ken had gathered through the years in the news business as well as in all aspects of his life.
Since Kens passing, his wife and love of his life, Karyn Levine~Cafarell, has been dealt her own serious health battle. Adding stress to unbearable grief is the fact that Ken's previously beloved employer, The Boston Globe, refuses to pay~out Ken's documented additional life insurance benefit that he had taken out of his check weekly, leaving Karyn in an extremely vulnerable and enormously stressful position as she continues to battle her own very serious health issues. Karyn gave up her own company and career to take care of Ken full time for over two years so he could stay at home and not have to worry about getting to and from the hospital or about meals or medications. That was how completely they loved each other.
Asking for assistance, particularly financial assistance, is no easy task to say the least. It cuts deeply into ones pride and dignity. I ask on Karyn's behalf because she NEVER would ask. Those who know Karyn know how deep her and Ken's love was during their 33 years together and how deeply and passionately, caring and lovingly Karyn cared for Ken as his primary caregiver during his battle. She fought by his side and never gave up hope. Karyn always put Ken and her daughter as well as friends, first and foremost before she ever thought about herself.
To those who know me, know I value my friends and treasure those that care deeply for others. Karyn is exactly that type of friend. Please know I make this request on behalf of Karyn and in Kens memory, to help Karyn through this extremely difficult time so she can keep their family home and pay her own medical bills. It should again be noted that because Ken had purposely planned for Karyn through additional life insurance should anything happen to him, the current situation should not be occurring due to this insurance being inexplicably kept in limbo by Ken's employer. Karyn has been fighting this tirelessly to honor Ken and his wishes that she be able to stay in their family home. She has been put on ignore by the company.
To every friend I have ever had, business colleague, news media friend and colleague and everybody whom I have ever touched in life, you know I have never asked for anything beyond your prayers. This time, for a beloved friend, I ask for a bit more. I ask, from my heart and the depths of my soul to PLEASE help my dear friend, who helped me enormously through my own cancer battle, with as generous a donation as you can spare. My friend Karyn is in a precarious health and financial crisis and I thank you and love you for any financial support you can provide.
Your friend
Dan Totten
Organizer and beneficiary
Dan Totten
Organizer
Quincy, MA
Karyn Levine-Cafarell
Beneficiary