Charlie Needs Help and Hope

HI, my name is Ken Fleischmann. Charlie Fahey's supervisor, Eric Knoll, and I started this fundraiser on behalf of Charlie Fahle because we didn't know where else to go for help.

Our long-time work colleague and friend Charlie would give you the shirt off his back and never expect anything in return. That’s just the kind of person he is to his co-workers, friends, family, and community. Last October, Charlie was helping a neighbor push his van out of the street when they both lost their footing on some uneven pavement and gravel that had not been repaired by the water company. Charlie was run over and crushed while pinned underneath the van. He suffered 14 broken ribs, a lacerated liver, and his spleen was removed. Charlie couldn’t work for several months which caused significant financial hardship. Just two months later (in the middle of his recovery from the accident), Charlie was diagnosed with advanced Stage III pancreatic cancer. He has lost 65 pounds and suffered severe side effects from the chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Charlie’s doctor suspended the treatments and told him he needs to quit work and regain his strength before he can resume treatments. His employer advised him to resign from his job and file an application for disability benefits. This requires a 3-month waiting period, means he will lose his medical insurance or have to pay 150% more than his current premiums, and will replace only a small fraction of his normal paycheck. Surgery is not an option because of the location of the tumor. Although the tumor has stopped growing, it is not in remission, and the doctor said Charlie won’t be with us next year if he is unable to resume treatments within 3 - 6 months.

The cruel reality of pancreatic cancer is the medical bills keep piling up and most victims and their families, like the Fahles, exhaust their financial resources and go into significant debt just to give a loved one a fighting chance to survive. Charlie and Mona have been hit in a short period of time with two devastating blows. Yet, Charlie has been trying to work his hourly-paid maintenance job while suffering through the accident and cancer, and Mona works at a fast-food restaurant to try and keep them from drowning in debt. During this difficult time, they never asked anyone for help. Charlie still has a chance if he can get back into treatment. The financial consequences of leaving his job are daunting and potentially overwhelming. On behalf of Charlie, we are throwing up a desperation shot. If you are willing and able, please help us provide some love and support by donating to help Charlie and Mona defray the cost of their medical debts, future medical bills, and lost income and benefits. We have set a goal of $100,000 to give Charlie, Mona, and their family a reason to believe, to fight, and to hope.