HELP BILLY AND HIS FAMILY FIGHT CANCER!!

Dear Family, friends and community,

As many of you know, our sister-in-law Tracy was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and underwent surgery and months long treatment. She has been on the road to a full recovery, but it has been difficult and emotionally overwhelming for the family. Then this spring, our brother Billy was diagnosed with tonsil/neck/throat cancer. In February 2023 he had surgery on his nose for post nasal drip and other issues, and when he found a lump on his neck a few weeks later, the doctors thought it was an infection related to the surgery. He was put on a round of antibiotics with no result. They scheduled a series of tests and xrays/scans and discovered nodules/tumors in his neck, and on one of his tonsils; CANCER. The word no one wants to hear…..

He is now in the midst of daily treatment; chemotherapy and intensive radiation on his neck and throat. He is not able to eat or drink and had a feeding tube placed at the start of treatment to sustain him. There will most likely come a time when the pain will be so intense he will not be able to speak. The hope is he will regain his ability to swallow, eat and speak with the understanding his voice could be different, his taste buds could be destroyed, chronic dry mouth…the list goes on.

He has speech therapists, nutritionists, radiologists, oncologists, nurses, VNA all at a cost. His insurance covers only a portion of the staggering amounts of money needed to treat this deadly disease. This has taken a toll on both Billy and Tracy, as they attempt to maintain their household and their jobs, all while making daily trips back and forth to Dana Farber.

If you have spent any time with Billy and Tracy, you know how special they are. How much they love each other, their children, their home, their friends and family. Countless hours have been spent at their house, in their yard, around the pool, laughing at Billy’s stories, Tracy rolling her eyes after hearing the same stories for 25+ years. Can anyone make you laugh at hard as Billy though?

We have all been touched by cancer ourselves, personally or with someone we love. It is devastating; emotionally, spiritually and financially. We, as Billy’s sisters, want to make this process as comfortable as possible and relieve as much extra stress as we can. Stress has been linked to the spread of cancer, and also causes increased levels of anxiety and fear, not just for the patient, but for their families as well.

This is why we are starting this fundraiser, to help with medical bills not covered by their insurance; to include heir portion of treatment balances, medications, co-pays, and equipment. We can hopefully relieve some of the stressors Billy and Tracy are feeling and allow them to fully invest and focus on what they need to do in the coming months. Any donation, big or small, is deeply appreciated. Prayers and healing thoughts are also welcome.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts,

Barbara and Kathy