Help Chris Pay For Cancer Treatments
Donation protected
Who is this campaign for?
Chris Heidorn is a young, gay musician trying to make a life for himself in the San Francisco Bay Area, and is one of my very best friends. He was also recently diagnosed with cancer.
About a month ago, Chris was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, when the doctor discovered a tumorous growth in his chest that was so large it had actually pushed his heart out of the way. Currently, Chris is in Stage 2 which means his survival chances are good, with the five year survival rate being around 90%. But even with health insurance, the treatment is expensive.
I'm organizing this GoFundMe to help Chris pay for these expenses, so he can focus all his energy on beating cancer and not worrying about how he'll afford it if he survives. Every little bit helps! We appreciate your support.
Where is the money going?
Transparency is very important to Chris, so we want to be very clear and upfront about what the money will be used for, so that you can know exactly how your donation will help make his life a little bit easier.
Medical costs:
Most of the money raised will be used for medical bills. Cancer treatment is expensive! We’re asking for help to pay these costs, so that Chris can complete his treatments without having to worry about bills being sent to collections, denied services, or ruining his credit. While the final cost of all bills can't be known for sure until all the procedures are completed, here's a rough breakdown of every treatment he needs and what the insurance has estimated its cost will be.
Note: All costs listed are out of pocket expenses after insurance. Some bills have yet to be sent, and some of the claims information from the insurance company is unclear, so these are our best estimates.
General breakdown:
2020: $4,205.99 - actual out of pocket costs
2021: $4169 so far, possibly $7000* see “unknown costs” below.
Detailed breakdown of known costs:
-Known 2020 Costs-
• PCP Visit: $35
• Blood Work: $10.85
• Hematologist Visit: $60
• Special Blood Work: $2,687.52
• X-ray: $84.32
• X-ray Review: $24.40
• Ultrasound: $319.38
• Ultrasound Provider: $86.20
• Ultrasound Review: $24.40
• Hematologist Visit: $60
• CT Scan: $442.91
• CT Operator: $26.70
• MRI: $308.71
• PET Scan: $60
-New Year 2021-
• Oncologist Visit: $60
• Thoracic Surgeon Visit: $60
• Blood Work: $12.20
• Blood Work: $42.20
• Port Installation: $2,080
Note that the 2020 costs only include those specifically since the cancer diagnoses and not other medical bills throughout the year.
Unknown Costs:
As long as none of the costs are out of network, the total cost should not exceed the Out of Pocket Maximum of $7000.
Based on previous experience with medical bills, Chris is virtually guaranteed to meet his out of pocket maximum.
Still to be billed/done:
• Tumor Biopsy
• Bone Marrow Biopsy
• PFT
• Echocardiogram
• Chemo for 6 months
• Follow Up MRIs/Other tests every 2 months
Where does the rest go?
Beyond Medical Bills, this GoFundMe cost includes support for basic life necessities as well. Chris should be focusing all his energy on fighting cancer, not worrying about whether he can make rent while doing his treatments. Currently he has extended unemployment benefits, but the situation in Congress is uncertain, so it would be wonderful to raise enough money to take this burden off his shoulders.
Goal to assist with Rent/Food/Utilities for the six months of treatment:
• Rent 2175
• Food 750
• Utilities 600* includes internet to safely communicate with doctors, schedule appointments, etc
These numbers don’t add up!
We were very fortunate to have some donations outside of the GoFundMe! These have been deducted from the fundraising goal amount. Chris is also working with his medical support team to apply for medical assistance programs, and we’ll let you know when we know more. Thank you so much for your concern!
Chris Heidorn is a young, gay musician trying to make a life for himself in the San Francisco Bay Area, and is one of my very best friends. He was also recently diagnosed with cancer.
About a month ago, Chris was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, when the doctor discovered a tumorous growth in his chest that was so large it had actually pushed his heart out of the way. Currently, Chris is in Stage 2 which means his survival chances are good, with the five year survival rate being around 90%. But even with health insurance, the treatment is expensive.
I'm organizing this GoFundMe to help Chris pay for these expenses, so he can focus all his energy on beating cancer and not worrying about how he'll afford it if he survives. Every little bit helps! We appreciate your support.
Where is the money going?
Transparency is very important to Chris, so we want to be very clear and upfront about what the money will be used for, so that you can know exactly how your donation will help make his life a little bit easier.
Medical costs:
Most of the money raised will be used for medical bills. Cancer treatment is expensive! We’re asking for help to pay these costs, so that Chris can complete his treatments without having to worry about bills being sent to collections, denied services, or ruining his credit. While the final cost of all bills can't be known for sure until all the procedures are completed, here's a rough breakdown of every treatment he needs and what the insurance has estimated its cost will be.
Note: All costs listed are out of pocket expenses after insurance. Some bills have yet to be sent, and some of the claims information from the insurance company is unclear, so these are our best estimates.
General breakdown:
2020: $4,205.99 - actual out of pocket costs
2021: $4169 so far, possibly $7000* see “unknown costs” below.
Detailed breakdown of known costs:
-Known 2020 Costs-
• PCP Visit: $35
• Blood Work: $10.85
• Hematologist Visit: $60
• Special Blood Work: $2,687.52
• X-ray: $84.32
• X-ray Review: $24.40
• Ultrasound: $319.38
• Ultrasound Provider: $86.20
• Ultrasound Review: $24.40
• Hematologist Visit: $60
• CT Scan: $442.91
• CT Operator: $26.70
• MRI: $308.71
• PET Scan: $60
-New Year 2021-
• Oncologist Visit: $60
• Thoracic Surgeon Visit: $60
• Blood Work: $12.20
• Blood Work: $42.20
• Port Installation: $2,080
Note that the 2020 costs only include those specifically since the cancer diagnoses and not other medical bills throughout the year.
Unknown Costs:
As long as none of the costs are out of network, the total cost should not exceed the Out of Pocket Maximum of $7000.
Based on previous experience with medical bills, Chris is virtually guaranteed to meet his out of pocket maximum.
Still to be billed/done:
• Tumor Biopsy
• Bone Marrow Biopsy
• PFT
• Echocardiogram
• Chemo for 6 months
• Follow Up MRIs/Other tests every 2 months
Where does the rest go?
Beyond Medical Bills, this GoFundMe cost includes support for basic life necessities as well. Chris should be focusing all his energy on fighting cancer, not worrying about whether he can make rent while doing his treatments. Currently he has extended unemployment benefits, but the situation in Congress is uncertain, so it would be wonderful to raise enough money to take this burden off his shoulders.
Goal to assist with Rent/Food/Utilities for the six months of treatment:
• Rent 2175
• Food 750
• Utilities 600* includes internet to safely communicate with doctors, schedule appointments, etc
These numbers don’t add up!
We were very fortunate to have some donations outside of the GoFundMe! These have been deducted from the fundraising goal amount. Chris is also working with his medical support team to apply for medical assistance programs, and we’ll let you know when we know more. Thank you so much for your concern!
Organizer and beneficiary
Zeth Carmer
Organizer
Vallejo, CA
Chris Heidorn
Beneficiary