Help John Sullivan Beat Aggressive Cancer
Donation protected
Thanks to the wonderful generosity of our community and so many beloved friends, John Sullivan was able to start his cancer treatment on December 9 as his doctors advised. He is now fighting his aggressive cancer. Still, it's unknown how much the course of treatments will end up costing. If you would like to make a donation, it's not too late. Even a small donation will be so appreciated!! Thank you!!
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A month ago, our friend John Sullivan noticed he was losing weight fast. Being a tough Irishman who had worked hard all his life as the owner of John Sullivan & Sons Construction, he wasn't the kind of guy who ran to the doctor every time he had an ache or pain. Still, his wife Debbie was really concerned and kept insisting he go get checked. Finally, to please her, he did. And that's when he found out he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had already metastasized and spread to his pelvis and his skull's frontal lobe. His doctor also told him his PSA's are continuing to go up-from 222-300 in one week. This means the cancer is rapidly progressing.
Fortunately, the situation is not hopeless. At only 69, John has a good chance of going into remission, but that's only if his treatments start by December 9 or as soon as possible.
He'll need multiple treatments, including hormone shots, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The cost for one of his treatments is $14,000.
John is covered by Medicare which covers 80%, but that leaves 20% of all medical expenses - i.e. a $2800 debt from only one of the treatments!
The only way for John's medical treatment to start is for us to raise $25,000 through this GoFundMe campaign to show his medical providers that he can afford to start and continue treatments. He is in a High-Risk category. If we don't raise the funds so he can start treatments immediately, his cancer will progress rapidly. With every day of delay, his chances of beating this disease fade more and more.
John is a humble faith-filled man. He asks for prayers above all else. But we, his friends and family, want to give him a fighting chance. Please give whatever donation you can, no matter how small, to help John get the medical care he needs right now.
John is a lifelong Utica-area resident who has dedicated himself to service in so many ways. Devoted to his Catholic faith, he has served his parish, St. Joseph-St. Patrick's Church in Utica, on the parish council, as a member of Perpetual Adoration since it began in 1992. He says that adoration is "More important than winning the lottery." He wants to live to 92 years old so he can celebrate Adoration's 50th anniversary.
John volunteers for any worthwhile group that asks for help. Local food pantries, including Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen, are among his favorites. He also volunteered as a Pop Warner Football coach and was past treasurer of the Whitesboro Youth Hockey Association.
Proud of his Irish heritage, he's a long-time member of The Ancient Order of Hibernians and he organized and worked every Irish Mass at the Great American Irish Festival for all 16 years.
With his construction company, he built his crowning achievement, the beautiful Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley. John and his brothers laid every stone on the building. For all his hard work and many hours of donated time, he was nominated to be Grand Marshall of the 2018 Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Here's a quote from one of the nomination letters:
"As the construction manager of the Irish Cultural Center, John's dedication and focus has been invaluable in surmounting the many issues experienced in completing this building. He has worked tirelessly, often six days a week, often alone, volunteering his own time, to assure the quality of the final project...he has persevered as no other person would have in making this vision of the Irish community a reality, a vision that generations to come will be able to experience."
Though John would never let on that he's in pain and is keeping an upbeat attitude, the peace of mind he'll feel when we help him overcome this huge minimum amount of $2800-a-month will be such a blessing to him and Debbie. Debbie even teared up with happiness when she found out we were starting this fundraiser.
Please offer up your prayers for John, as he will offer up his prayers and suffering for you, and make a donation today so John's treatment can start IMMEDIATELY!
Thank You So Much!!!!
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A month ago, our friend John Sullivan noticed he was losing weight fast. Being a tough Irishman who had worked hard all his life as the owner of John Sullivan & Sons Construction, he wasn't the kind of guy who ran to the doctor every time he had an ache or pain. Still, his wife Debbie was really concerned and kept insisting he go get checked. Finally, to please her, he did. And that's when he found out he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had already metastasized and spread to his pelvis and his skull's frontal lobe. His doctor also told him his PSA's are continuing to go up-from 222-300 in one week. This means the cancer is rapidly progressing.
Fortunately, the situation is not hopeless. At only 69, John has a good chance of going into remission, but that's only if his treatments start by December 9 or as soon as possible.
He'll need multiple treatments, including hormone shots, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The cost for one of his treatments is $14,000.
John is covered by Medicare which covers 80%, but that leaves 20% of all medical expenses - i.e. a $2800 debt from only one of the treatments!
The only way for John's medical treatment to start is for us to raise $25,000 through this GoFundMe campaign to show his medical providers that he can afford to start and continue treatments. He is in a High-Risk category. If we don't raise the funds so he can start treatments immediately, his cancer will progress rapidly. With every day of delay, his chances of beating this disease fade more and more.
John is a humble faith-filled man. He asks for prayers above all else. But we, his friends and family, want to give him a fighting chance. Please give whatever donation you can, no matter how small, to help John get the medical care he needs right now.
John is a lifelong Utica-area resident who has dedicated himself to service in so many ways. Devoted to his Catholic faith, he has served his parish, St. Joseph-St. Patrick's Church in Utica, on the parish council, as a member of Perpetual Adoration since it began in 1992. He says that adoration is "More important than winning the lottery." He wants to live to 92 years old so he can celebrate Adoration's 50th anniversary.
John volunteers for any worthwhile group that asks for help. Local food pantries, including Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen, are among his favorites. He also volunteered as a Pop Warner Football coach and was past treasurer of the Whitesboro Youth Hockey Association.
Proud of his Irish heritage, he's a long-time member of The Ancient Order of Hibernians and he organized and worked every Irish Mass at the Great American Irish Festival for all 16 years.
With his construction company, he built his crowning achievement, the beautiful Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley. John and his brothers laid every stone on the building. For all his hard work and many hours of donated time, he was nominated to be Grand Marshall of the 2018 Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Here's a quote from one of the nomination letters:
"As the construction manager of the Irish Cultural Center, John's dedication and focus has been invaluable in surmounting the many issues experienced in completing this building. He has worked tirelessly, often six days a week, often alone, volunteering his own time, to assure the quality of the final project...he has persevered as no other person would have in making this vision of the Irish community a reality, a vision that generations to come will be able to experience."
Though John would never let on that he's in pain and is keeping an upbeat attitude, the peace of mind he'll feel when we help him overcome this huge minimum amount of $2800-a-month will be such a blessing to him and Debbie. Debbie even teared up with happiness when she found out we were starting this fundraiser.
Please offer up your prayers for John, as he will offer up his prayers and suffering for you, and make a donation today so John's treatment can start IMMEDIATELY!
Thank You So Much!!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Marianne Brooks
Organizer
Utica, NY
Deborah Sullivan
Beneficiary
