2020 has brought misfortune and darkness to many people in many ways, but it hits hardest when it happens to those close to you. This is the case for our good friends, Randy and LindaSue Andrese. 


Randy and LindaSue have been members of the 2D NJ Brigade for many years, educating communities on Civil War and 19th Century history, and I’ve had the opportunity to get to know them over the past five years. Always ready to lend a hand, and kind, capable, and welcoming to visitors at every event we do, we were devastated to learn that Randy was diagnosed with cancer in 2020.


While Randy had been experiencing some health issues as early as 2019, a series of tests in October of 2020 revealed that Randy has Stage II bladder cancer and a severe kidney/utterer blockage. In the midst of a global pandemic, he’s faced multiple hospital visits for tests, surgeries, and chemotherapy. As LindaSue is an at-risk individual, this diagnosis has been devastating to both of them, as LindaSue has to risk exposure at every appointment, and Randy is fighting against both cancer and the possibility of contracting COVID-19. 


They’ve stalwartly been doing treatments, but as often happens in the face of medical trauma, cancer and COVID are not the only things Randy and LindaSue are facing. Due to the pandemic and her at-risk status, LindaSue has been unable to work, and after Randy’s diagnosis, he couldn’t continue working, either. In facing similar issues with unemployment that thousands of Americans have been dealing with since March of 2020, as well as Randy being denied disability funds, the Andreses have seen their finances dry up as medical bills loom. 


While they are insured, like most Americans, their insurance only covers a small percentage of the mounting medical debt from treatments, chemo, appointments, checkups, and surgeries, placing them in the precarious position of weighing Randy’s quality of life against paying their monthly expenses. They’ve had very little income since October 21st, 2020, and after their furnace broke in December, are in desperate need of funds to pay their living expenses and cover the costs of Randy’s cancer treatments. 


While we know that $10,000 won’t even pay a fraction of the medical expenses facing the Andreses in this new year, we hope that it can at least be a stop-gap to ease financial stress and allow them to focus on Randy’s health and recovery.


While financial times are tough for us all right now, if you have anything you feel you can contribute to help Randy and LindaSue’s financial stability, the donation is appreciated beyond words.