Dear friends, family and kind-hearted strangers,
We are reaching out to you today with heavy hearts, seeking your support and generosity in the face of an immense challenge. Our beloved Maïté, my wife and a devoted mother has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, a diagnosis that has turned our world upside-down. The cancer has already metastasised and she has been undergoing chemo and immunotherapy treatments, and this battle against cancer has been the greatest fight of our lives. We are now at the point where we need your help to ensure a brighter future for Maïté and our precious daughter Zoé.
Our story begins in France, where we've built a life together. I'm an American living in this beautiful country with my wife, Maïté and our 9-year-old daughter, Zoé. Life was filled with dreams and plans for the future until Maïté's world was shattered by this life-altering diagnosis.
Due to the severity of her illness, Maïté had to stop working two months ago, and the burden of our family's financial well-being has fallen squarely on my shoulders. We are fortunate to live in France where it is cheaper but still, it is not free. The medical bills, treatments, and everyday costs of living have left us struggling to make ends meet. Maïté will need to have a wig made, and a set of dentures since she is losing her hair and teeth. Those are not covered by our insurance. We also pay out of pocket for therapeutic counselling for the three of us. We are all trying to get the support we need to deal with this in the most positive way possible. Especially now that we are down to only one income. This is why we are turning to you for support.
Our GoFundMe campaign has been set with a modest goal of $10,000. That will make up the income that we are missing due to Maïté not being able to work for the next 5 months. Every dollar or euro raised will go directly towards relieving the financial stress this winter and into the springtime that has come with Maïté's illness. This will help us ensure that we can provide the best possible care, enhance her quality of life, and secure Zoé's future.
In addition to covering the medical expenses, any contribution above our initial goal will be used for incidentals and, if, heaven forbid, Maïté's condition worsens, to provide for end-of-life care. We also have a long-term goal of securing Zoé's future by establishing a college fund for her, so she can pursue her dreams and aspirations.
Your generosity and support will mean the world to us, helping us navigate through this challenging journey. We firmly believe in the power of family, friends and community, and we know that together, we can make a significant difference in Maïté's life and ensure that our daughter Zoé has a chance for a bright tomorrow.
Please consider contributing to our campaign, no matter the amount. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to our goal. If you are unable to contribute financially, sharing this campaign with your friends, neighbours, church members and co-workers can make a world of difference. At this time, however, we have only one specific request. Please share through emails, texts, or by word-of-mouth. Maïté has not published about her illness yet on her social media accounts and is sensitive to her friends and acquaintances who still have not heard directly from her. We will let you know when she is ready to take that difficult step.
Let's come together, lend our support, and help Maïté and Zoé, my wife and lovely daughter, during this time off need. Your love, compassion, and generosity will provide the strength and hope we need to face this challenge head-on. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of our journey.
With sincere gratitude,
Michael Blunk