Donation protected
Hello, everyone. I am a teacher that has been diagnosed with Leukemia recently (Late February/ Early March). I believe it could possibly have something to do with chemical leaks from the Union Pacific Railroad company in the area in which I grew up in that leaked chemicals into our soil and water supply known to cause Leukemia. It’s said that low long term exposure can cause cancer to develop. I lived 0.8 miles from the chemical spill for 20+ years, and have had no other health issues besides asthma my entire life, and this doesn’t run in my family. This has literally changed the way I am able to live my entire life and ruined some of the things I’ve had going on. Please look up the Fifth Ward Cancer Cluster for more information and see how you can help out the families who may be struggling like me. As a result, I had been in constant pain since late January and early February trying to figure out what was wrong with my body, and ended up being ultimately being diagnosed with cancer. I had been in and out the hospital for long stays and have been unable to work and teach just from the daily pain of bone lesions in my back making it hard to stay on my feet and get around, and had to be placed on temporary disability leave at work to save my job, because I don’t have FMLA, because I just switched school districts. I have more rounds of treatment to go through, am extremely susceptible to getting sick by others (low white blood cell counts, etc.), so I was not allowed to work during this time. My family has been helpful in trying to help me cover health insurance premiums, copays, parking from hospital visits, food, car payments, etc, but I know we need some more support. I just found out from my job that because I was out of work during duty days, and even when I come back after treatment, I will not be paid again until September 15. However, I still have expenses such as rent, groceries, medicine costs and many others. These expenses have and will surpass my savings and any donation money I have received thus far. If anyone is willing to donate, I have this fundraiser to see if I can help thwarts some of these expenses. I am looking other means of the employment in the meantime to see if I can support myself, while I am still recovering. Any help, prayers, and encouragement is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Organizer
Ebonee Thomas
Organizer
Houston, TX