Help for Mary and Michael
Donation protected
As many of you know, last August, Mary was diagnosed with stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer. Mary is one of the strongest and kindest people we know. As the mom of Freddie and Justine, and in her work as a teacher, Mary has spent her life helping others. At the time of her diagnosis, Mary was the Director of the Young Parents Program of Catholic Charities, helping single mothers get their GED. Unfortunately, due to her illness, Mary has been unable to continue working, although she keeps in touch with many of her students.
Mary has fought hard this past year and has demonstrated amazing strength and endurance. However, the cancer has continued to spread throughout her bones and, combined with the harsh side effects of the treatments, has left her in need of 24/7 care and assistance. Her husband Michael has been with her every step of the way - helping her through her diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments and managing her pain. During the past year, due to infections, medical procedures, and sometimes uncontrollable pain, Mary was hospitalized more than a dozen times. The hospital is in Boston, almost 40 miles from their home in New Hampshire. When Mary has been hospitalized, Michael has travelled to and from Boston, leaving their dog Sky in the kennel. Because the cancer has rendered her bones dangerously weak, it is unsafe for Mary to be alone, at home or in the hospital. Many times, when Mary is hospitalized, Michael spends the nights in Boston to be there with her and to make sure she is not alone.
Michael has somehow managed to continue working while caring for his wife, but the strain on his employment and the escalating costs of her care are too much for any family to bear. For Michael to continue to work, they need home health assistance for Mary, which is expensive and is not covered by insurance.
Please give what you can to help Mary and Michael, so that they may focus on Mary’s care and quality of life without the worry about how they will cover their expenses during this difficult time. We know that your love and support will ease the burden of their journey. Thank you for supporting Mary and Michael.
Mary has fought hard this past year and has demonstrated amazing strength and endurance. However, the cancer has continued to spread throughout her bones and, combined with the harsh side effects of the treatments, has left her in need of 24/7 care and assistance. Her husband Michael has been with her every step of the way - helping her through her diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments and managing her pain. During the past year, due to infections, medical procedures, and sometimes uncontrollable pain, Mary was hospitalized more than a dozen times. The hospital is in Boston, almost 40 miles from their home in New Hampshire. When Mary has been hospitalized, Michael has travelled to and from Boston, leaving their dog Sky in the kennel. Because the cancer has rendered her bones dangerously weak, it is unsafe for Mary to be alone, at home or in the hospital. Many times, when Mary is hospitalized, Michael spends the nights in Boston to be there with her and to make sure she is not alone.
Michael has somehow managed to continue working while caring for his wife, but the strain on his employment and the escalating costs of her care are too much for any family to bear. For Michael to continue to work, they need home health assistance for Mary, which is expensive and is not covered by insurance.
Please give what you can to help Mary and Michael, so that they may focus on Mary’s care and quality of life without the worry about how they will cover their expenses during this difficult time. We know that your love and support will ease the burden of their journey. Thank you for supporting Mary and Michael.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ganine Gambale
Organizer
Staten Island, NY
Michael Gambale
Beneficiary
