Support Kareem's Fight Against Cancer
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If you know Kareem, then you know he embodies overwhelming peace and exudes extraordinary patience, grit, and kindness. He cares and loves deeply for each person he meets. For those of you who do not know Kareem, he is a loving father of three daughters and one son, a dedicated employee, and a recent graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, University College. Kareem graduated in May 2019 with an Associate in Arts Degree and served as the student graduation speaker at the ceremony. Kareem is also formerly incarcerated; he was released in February 2020 after spending more than a decade in prison. However, a mere 9 months after being released, reuniting with his family, and starting a new job, Kareem is now battling stage four kidney cancer and coping with a recent family tragedy.
On November 17th, Kareem was admitted to Barnes Jewish Hospital for bladder/kidney concerns. Two days later, after multiple scans revealed a mass engulfing Kareem’s right kidney that had metastasized, Kareem was diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, also known as stage four kidney cancer. Shortly after his diagnosis, on November 23rd, Kareem’s right kidney and affected lymph nodes were surgically removed. Kareem did not have health insurance when he was admitted to the hospital on November 17th. Although he has since been enrolled, coverage will not begin until 2021, which means Kareem will be financially responsible for his recent surgery, hospital stay, medications, and follow-up treatment throughout December--and likely throughout next year as well.
While coping with his recent diagnosis and recovering from surgery, Kareem has also been grieving his brother who passed away from an overdose. His family is currently planning the funeral, which will cost around $4,000 ($3,000 for the funeral and $800 for the burial).
It will be a while before Kareem can return to work. As Kareem’s friends, we are raising money for Kareem to help cover his extensive hospital bills and funeral costs for his brother so he can focus on his recovery instead of worrying about the costs of his medical expenses and brother’s funeral. In a country where the uninsured and formerly incarcerated often slip through the cracks and are unable to access the services they need without great financial burden, we hope the WashU and St. Louis community will rally around him and support him through this unimaginably difficult time. Thank you in advance for your love, support, and prayers during this time.
-- Kareem’s friends, Ronelle and Ben
An excerpt from Kareem’s 2019 graduation speech:
“As we move forward, we should remember that we have only just begun our academic journey. We must maintain our original vision, until our goals are realized, and we must embrace the challenges we face in between, because there will no doubt be a few. We have to continue to be “Greater.” Our will and energy to emerge beyond the margins of institutional, and societal barriers, must be Greater. We must approach the next stage of this journey, not matching, but increasing our level of ambition. Despite what others may say, our visions are never too great.”
On November 17th, Kareem was admitted to Barnes Jewish Hospital for bladder/kidney concerns. Two days later, after multiple scans revealed a mass engulfing Kareem’s right kidney that had metastasized, Kareem was diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, also known as stage four kidney cancer. Shortly after his diagnosis, on November 23rd, Kareem’s right kidney and affected lymph nodes were surgically removed. Kareem did not have health insurance when he was admitted to the hospital on November 17th. Although he has since been enrolled, coverage will not begin until 2021, which means Kareem will be financially responsible for his recent surgery, hospital stay, medications, and follow-up treatment throughout December--and likely throughout next year as well.
While coping with his recent diagnosis and recovering from surgery, Kareem has also been grieving his brother who passed away from an overdose. His family is currently planning the funeral, which will cost around $4,000 ($3,000 for the funeral and $800 for the burial).
It will be a while before Kareem can return to work. As Kareem’s friends, we are raising money for Kareem to help cover his extensive hospital bills and funeral costs for his brother so he can focus on his recovery instead of worrying about the costs of his medical expenses and brother’s funeral. In a country where the uninsured and formerly incarcerated often slip through the cracks and are unable to access the services they need without great financial burden, we hope the WashU and St. Louis community will rally around him and support him through this unimaginably difficult time. Thank you in advance for your love, support, and prayers during this time.
-- Kareem’s friends, Ronelle and Ben
An excerpt from Kareem’s 2019 graduation speech:
“As we move forward, we should remember that we have only just begun our academic journey. We must maintain our original vision, until our goals are realized, and we must embrace the challenges we face in between, because there will no doubt be a few. We have to continue to be “Greater.” Our will and energy to emerge beyond the margins of institutional, and societal barriers, must be Greater. We must approach the next stage of this journey, not matching, but increasing our level of ambition. Despite what others may say, our visions are never too great.”
Organizer and beneficiary
Ronelle Williams
Organizer
St Louis, MO
Kareem Martin
Beneficiary