• Help Michael Rodriguez While he Fights Cancer
Donation protected
I met my friend Mike in Richmond in 1981 when he was playing guitar in Red Cross, before his band White Cross was formed, or the later Mudd Helmut and the much-loved band Dirtball. Mike spent endless hours organizing shows, finding venues, booking bands, bringing people and music together, and playing a significant DIY role in our music scene. He's always been a mover and shaker.
The years between then and now were filled with bigger life adventures of marriage and being a father to his beloved boys, and eventually a calling to ministry. In this he found a way to connect communities together, and a natural outlet for his gifts.
A career in cabinet making left him with a seriously torn rotator cuff. Surgery a year and a half ago was not completely successful at restoring the former use of his shoulder, thankfully there were resources to draw on while healing. More recently, advanced liver disease symptoms prompted him to seek medical care. In mid January Mike received the news he has liver cancer and also needs a liver transplant. He isn’t currently eligible for a transplant due to the cancer’s size and must undergo treatments. His attitude is excellent, but his energy and ability to go about daily activities are not consistent. There are some good days and some very bad days, but he’s giving his everything toward reaching a status of transplant eligibility.
The years between then and now were filled with bigger life adventures of marriage and being a father to his beloved boys, and eventually a calling to ministry. In this he found a way to connect communities together, and a natural outlet for his gifts.
A career in cabinet making left him with a seriously torn rotator cuff. Surgery a year and a half ago was not completely successful at restoring the former use of his shoulder, thankfully there were resources to draw on while healing. More recently, advanced liver disease symptoms prompted him to seek medical care. In mid January Mike received the news he has liver cancer and also needs a liver transplant. He isn’t currently eligible for a transplant due to the cancer’s size and must undergo treatments. His attitude is excellent, but his energy and ability to go about daily activities are not consistent. There are some good days and some very bad days, but he’s giving his everything toward reaching a status of transplant eligibility.
Three days ago he received word that Duke Hospital is taking on his case! They are his very best shot at becoming able to receive the gift of a new liver.
Despite having a good support system he is facing the danger of losing his home as imminent initiation of eviction proceedings looms over unpaid rent. He has reached out to resources in the community and has been working on a more permanent financial solution, forthcoming soon, but exactly when is not known.
The opportunity of having Duke take on his case comes with immediate additional costs for travel to and from Duke, a hotel while undergoing consecutive days of testing, parking, and related expenses that there is no way to cover.
I know many would be happy for the opportunity to bless Mike with help in this time of need. If $4800 could be raised, it would help him tremendously to get through the next 2 months’ of travel and treatment without the specter of homelessness adding to his burden.
Co-organizers (3)
Susan Foster
Organizer
Laurel, VA
Michael Rodriguez
Beneficiary
Kim Rodriguez
Co-organizer
Oliver Rodriguez
Co-organizer