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My father has battled cancer throughout my life. He would go into remission and seemingly five years later cancer would show its ugly face again. He has undergone treatment a total of six different times for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma over almost two decades. Even when going through chemotherapy treatments my dad has remained a pillar within the community by leading the First Baptist Church of Willimantic. He has grown the outreach ministry from a single bagged sandwich to a 5-day-a –week full dinner. He has remained a pillar to his loved ones as well. I remember one specific instance where after undergoing chemotherapy, my dad brought me to Canobie Lake Park; despite being physically beaten by the medication he still took me on my first "big boy" roller coaster ride. The cancer has been a haunting that my dad has courageously endured over the years and time and time again he proves his resilience by showing compassion towards others despite his health related hardships.
This past August, my dad was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS). It is believed by the doctors at Dana Farber that this is a direct result from the amount of chemotherapy that he has received throughout the last twenty years. Ironic, right? The treatment that should be helping puts my father in a battle for his life. Since his diagnosis my dad has been required to undergo weekly blood transfusions. The only solution was to be placed on the bone marrow registry.
Miraculously, despite the slim odds they found a perfect match! On October 13, 2014, he will have a bone marrow transplant. This will lead to a 9-12 month incubation period, which will leave him with little to no immune system. This will temporarily suspend his workings with the community, including his passion for preaching the word of God which is his calling and career. It is expected that he will be under financial strain as insurance will not cover all of his expenses. You'd think the battle would be over once the transplant occurred, but unfortunately that's when the real battle will begin.
This is by no means a plea for money. It was only after so many people rallied around my father that he begrudgingly gave this idea the thumbs up! If you feel inclined, my father and the rest of my family would be extremely grateful for any assistance. If you're unable to make a donation your prayers and positive thoughts during the next year will be just as appreciated.
In the words of Christine Lee: "We would like to come together and help this man who has done so much for those in our community.”
This past August, my dad was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS). It is believed by the doctors at Dana Farber that this is a direct result from the amount of chemotherapy that he has received throughout the last twenty years. Ironic, right? The treatment that should be helping puts my father in a battle for his life. Since his diagnosis my dad has been required to undergo weekly blood transfusions. The only solution was to be placed on the bone marrow registry.
Miraculously, despite the slim odds they found a perfect match! On October 13, 2014, he will have a bone marrow transplant. This will lead to a 9-12 month incubation period, which will leave him with little to no immune system. This will temporarily suspend his workings with the community, including his passion for preaching the word of God which is his calling and career. It is expected that he will be under financial strain as insurance will not cover all of his expenses. You'd think the battle would be over once the transplant occurred, but unfortunately that's when the real battle will begin.
This is by no means a plea for money. It was only after so many people rallied around my father that he begrudgingly gave this idea the thumbs up! If you feel inclined, my father and the rest of my family would be extremely grateful for any assistance. If you're unable to make a donation your prayers and positive thoughts during the next year will be just as appreciated.
In the words of Christine Lee: "We would like to come together and help this man who has done so much for those in our community.”
Organizer
Joe Shapiro
Organizer
