It’s so hard to ask for support when I’ve always been the helper. But now I have to put my pride aside and ask for help covering medical expenses. Cancer treatment is expensive, and is particularly devastating for someone on a low fixed income with a bare-bones, high-deductible Medicare health plan.

Bills are coming in for radiation ($2,300), chemotherapy ($2,200) and two minor surgeries($345 for each surgery), and more will be coming for major surgery to remove the tumor early next year. Due to the high annual deductible — and the cycle starts again in January, along with an insurance rate increase — bills are in the thousands. I have esophageal cancer, a tough one. And previous surgery will complicate this one, requiring two surgeons, a hospital stay, and aftercare at home. A rough estimate now is around $10,000. 

I’ve loved elephants my whole life, since sleeping with a stuffed elephant as an infant. In 2013 I learned their survival was at risk, and began to advocate for an ivory ban as well as an end to circus abuse and use of all wildlife for human entertainment. Please help me get back to advocacy.

To say that 2016 has been a rough year for me is an understatement! The sudden death of my younger brother in late January started the year with an emotional blow as well as a financial one. Trips to the east coast for his funeral and my nephews high school graduation were followed by more financial hits with my water heater and cars transmission going! It has been hard having to ask for help when I was the one to always help my family. Anything you can give (even sharing this plea) will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for caring.