Call to Community: Urgent Help for Fred's Cancer Battle

Hello all, for those who don’t know me, I’m Jasmine. My dear friend Frederick “Fred” Calabrese is in a vulnerable and scary position, and I am to putting together this fundraiser in hopes of bringing the community together to rally around him in his time of need. For those of you who do know me, you know that I very strongly value the heart and spirit of community and being of service to my friends and fellows. This is bigger than me, the need greater than one person can fill alone, and I humbly ask you to join me in ensuring that my friend Fred does not fall through the cracks here.

On Wednesday, September 3rd, Fred underwent a radical prostatectomy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer. This comes on the heels on a rough year and a half for him.

Starting in March 2024, my friend has experienced numerous personal tragedies. They started with his mother's incapacity after a fall. His mother eventually died on June 22, 2024, in hospice. Fred was his mom's primary caregiver, and he was fired the day before she was admitted to hospice. After her passing, he experienced a variety of disabling health issues.

We do not yet know the next steps, whether that be chemotherapy radiation etc.

This fundraiser will help Fred with non-Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) providers*, under-covered supplies, rent, utilities, and other living expenses.

He is applying for SSI and SSDI. Approval is not guaranteed, and decisions take several months.

It is my hope that this will keep my friend safe and housed during this fight for his life. He needs to focus on getting well.

Fred has quietly helped many in our community throughout the years without making it known, he values his anonymity and doesn’t make a big deal out of his acts of service and now it is our turn to help him.

Fred’s needs are immediate and urgent. As of writing this, Fred is behind on rent and at risk of imminent homelessness. In order to avoid this, I am asking for your help in raising $2000 urgently. I am also asking for ongoing support for my friend. It is a big ask, but there is a great need here.

Believe me when I say, all other resources have been exhausted.

I have done the math, if 100 of us can donate $20 today, that will meet my immediate goal of $2000 to assist Fred in stay housed.

No one should have to go through this alone, and I will not let my dear friend face this all by himself. My partner and I have been and will continue to be by his side, and I am calling on our community, I trust will Fred’s friends and community to join us in rallying around him in this scary time in his life.

I thank you in advance.

If you are able, please consider donating, every dollar helps.

I encourage you to share this gofundme, you never know who might be moved to help.

With all my gratitude,

Jasmine

Other ways to help immediately:

Jasmine cashapp: $jazzybee5150

Jasmine paypal:@Jkramer667

(Any funds sent to me will go directly to Fred. You have my absolute word.)

*This would be humorous if the situation wasn’t so dire- AHCCCS covered most of the procedure, however, some things were not. One of those things was this: part of the surgery was performed by a robot. The person who operated the robot was out-of-network and Fred had to cover the cost himself. Basically, the robot was out-of-network. An out-of-network robot of all things. What a world we live in.