Our father, Joseph Wood, was first diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2021. They found a tumor in his colon which needed to be surgically removed. He had to go under for the surgery to remove the tumor; it went well considering how large it was. Afterwards, he had to wear an ostomy bag and undergo bi-weekly chemo to help reduce the cancer from spreading. Over time, it took its toll on him, and he had to go on disability. Being the sole provider for the family, this was not great to hear, but he did have some money coming in from the government. Through the next year, he went to doctor after doctor, chemo to chemo, to beat this cancer. In 2022, he did—no more cancer and no more ostomy bag!

After some time, in 2023, however, more cancer spread without the family knowing. At the same time, our father had kidney stones which have caused issues with his kidneys. The family set out to do chemo again to attack the cancer that moved from his colon and to help treat his kidneys. Back on a bi-weekly chemo schedule, and to add, he has a nephrostomy connected to one kidney because it is failing. Now, the current situation is he has a tumor which chemo and radiation are not working on, in this kidney, and he could have surgery to remove it, but with one kidney, life as a type 2 diabetic could be difficult and expensive.

Our family has been struggling emotionally and physically since the start of his journey. Now, in 2024, we are behind on bills and trying to stay afloat by using credit cards. The debt for those is $25,000 and growing, the medical bills are $17,000 and growing. Our family has gone into his 401K to stay afloat but is still struggling. The couple thousand a month from his disability is just not cutting it in today's world. I ask that anyone willing to help our family, we would greatly appreciate it. We are all trying to stay strong and have faith in God that the plan will work and God will help us! Any amount to ease the stress and burden of the debt and bills piling up would be so greatly appreciated!

Thank you, The Wood Family!