Bubba Blackshear’s Medical Expense Fund

I was diagnosed with rectal cancer on February 10. The news was devastating, but my wife Sandra and I have much to be thankful for. The cancer does not appear to have spread, and doctors are confident it can be cured with combined chemotherapy and targeted radiation, surgery to remove the area of the rectal wall where the tumor is, followed by more chemotherapy to clean up any cancer cells that may have been left behind. We are also thankful to have supportive family and health insurance (!) in a time like this.

Yet even with insurance, the medical bills for scans, tests, labs, surgeries, and frequent doctor visits add up. I wrestled with whether to start a campaign but figured anything would help relieve some of the stress of a cancer journey. In addition to affording medical bills, I’d like to be able to keep our cars in shape to get to my daily appointments (yes, daily!). Once the treatments are underway I worry I won’t be able to keep up lawn and pool maintenance and other household chores like I used to either.

Friends and family have been very supportive the past few weeks. Sandra and I have tried to keep or spirits up by joking about what we can say when people ask if we need anything. But the truth is that the medical bills are already rolling in. We were fortunate enough to get a modest tax refund this year, but instead of putting it toward home remodeling and much needed home and auto repairs as originally planned, the refund must go toward my medical care. I created this campaign so those who want to can help us navigate this costly journey.