Help Anthony Porter Fight Cancer

UPDATE 12/21/18:

Here is the latest on my dad's condition:

The doctors have stopped his chemotherapy treatments early because the toll it was taking on his body.  He is currently unable to eat or drink, and is dependent on a feeding tube.  Because of the damage to his mouth and throat, swallowing is painful and he cannot easily speak. The doctors said the next month will be worse than when he was on treatment. However, he remains determined to heal. He is so grateful for all the love and support from friends, families, and those he has yet to met.  The donations have helped with transportation, medications, bills, and his mortgage.  It has also helped him remain as comfortable as he can be, by purchasing things like an electric heater for his home.  Not having to worry about the financial ramifications of cancer has been one relief in a new world where relief is hard to come by. It is clear that this journey will take longer than anticipated and we are not sure when he will be able to work again. Thank you again for your donations, and for continuing to share this page and my dad's story. 

Much love, 

Gina Marie Porter 

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Anthony Porter is currently fighting throat cancer. He fought cancer once before, and won. He is approaching his current illness the way he did his last, with grace, positivity, and a fighter's spirit. We have confidence he will come out on top. Unfortunately, as Anthony is healing, he will be unable to work. The chemotherapy is aggressive, and his work is labor intensive. While receiving the treatment, Anthony's body is weak. He cannot swallow without pain and may lose his hearing. He has overextended himself for others his whole life, and our wish is for him to not have to worry about money while he heals and to feel the love he has given, returned.

Anthony is my best friend, Gina's dad, and over time I began to think of them as family. One extremely difficult year for me, knowing I was alone during the holidays, the Porters invited me over. Gina warned me that because of finances, they did not decorate for the season and was worried their place would not be festive enough. I assured them their presence was all that was needed. However, when I got off the phone, Gina and Anthony went out on Christmas Eve and bought decorations. When I arrived, they had turned a pile of boxes into a tree, strung lights around banisters, and hung ornaments decorated with our initials. I was profoundly touched that they went out of their way and stretched their means to make me feel loved. They saw it as a small gesture, but this story is not an outlier.  This story illustrates the way Anthony approaches the people in his life - always giving, always kind. It saddens me that the size of our bank accounts does not always reflect the size of our hearts. 

I am hoping this holiday season we can give him the gift of peace, so he can heal without worrying about his fundamental needs or losing his home. The money raised here would help Anthony pay his mortgage, help with transportation and medical bills, as well as cover basic living expenses. 

I am hoping that all of you can think about the acts of kindness you’ve received in moments when you needed them the most. Even if you have not been blessed to know Anthony, I hope you can give whatever you can spare in the honor of those times when kindness was given to you.  

Thank you so much for reading this,

Ante Bodlovic