Help Recovery Advocate Gary K Conquer Cancer

For decades Gary has remarkably fought for his life in many ways and is now doing so again.

Paritosh Nath and I are proud to host this GoFundMe campaign.

Seven years ago Paritosh met Gary K when he was undergoing a serious life crisis. Gary K challenged and guided Paritosh through this crisis, and was instrumental in his recovery. Paritosh says that he owes Gary K more than words could express, and this GoFundMe is a feeble attempt on his part to express his love and affection for Gary K.

Gary did the same thing for me and now Gary and Paritosh are helping me in my recovery. Gary challenged us to recover and we are both sober and thriving, and we want to give back. We are now requesting you to help Gary K overcome the stresses of his final cancer treatment and thrive once again. Though the cancer has been completely eradicated now he has to go through expensive and lengthy follow up aftercare.

Gary was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in September 2022. He went through months of brutal chemotherapy and radiation treatments all the while continuing to help people. I saw him in more physical pain than I've ever seen anyone display and yet he talked on the phone for hours helping those in early recovery. He was so busy helping people that he couldn't ask me to help him to the bathroom or bed.

This was a selflessness I had never seen in anyone.

After all of this, he recently had to undergo serious surgeries to guarantee the cancer wouldn't come back.

Gary has not yet been able to fully return to his work and over this past year his expenses have become too great to handle on his own.

Gary never stopped helping people during this difficult time. He just didn't always get paid. In our world of recovery helping people means giving of yourself and saving lives.

Gary was just recently confined to the hospital bed for the months of December and January and underwent extensive surgeries. The surgeries were a success and he is recovering from them but he has been out of work and without income.

This is a man who gives to others every day, personally and professionally. Gary helps individuals who struggle with chemical dependency and mental health issues. He is proud to tell everyone that he is a recovering addict who has been continuously clean and sober in 12-Step Programs for over 25 years.

Gary's drug and alcohol addiction began when he was a teenager and for years, he struggled to beat his dependency. After 19 relapses, he finally hit rock bottom and surrendered to the 12-Step Way of Life.

With the help of two great sponsors, Gary was able to move past his addiction.

Gary has often said, "the day I was given the gift of sobriety, I felt a sense of duty and passion to do service work, helping others who suffered." To date, Gary has helped to guide about 2,000 men, one-on-one, as sponsees of all ages through the 12-Step Recovery Program and over 50,000 individuals in 12-Step seminars from coast-to-coast.

Gary feels that it is a blessing to know that, "my life's mission is to carry the message of hope and the miracle of recovery to as many people as I can reach."

He hopes to be able to return to work full time as the Director of Recovery Education at Comprehensive Wellness Centers in Lantana Florida but until such time he is in great need of our help.

As well as working directly with those participating in treatment, Gary has trained recovery coaches, has been a nationally prominent circuit speaker and recovery advocate and educator about chemical dependence and the brain disease of addiction, is a Hazelden recovery author, and has served as an ambassador of education for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

Gary is also an actor and portrayed Bill W., the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, in the play Pass It On...An Evening with Bill W. & Dr. Bob, which was authored by Gary. In this role, Gary has toured the United States and Canada spreading a message of hope, and depicting the beginnings of a mutual aid process that has helped countless individuals from all walks of life.

And in Gary's typical way of giving back, every performance of the play was a fundraiser, donating 70+% of each performance's proceeds to local recovery organizations. Additionally, 10% was donated to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. The play, performed in over 100 cities, helped bring countless people into recovery.

Just prior to learning of his health diagnosis, Gary was preparing to launch a national recovery education campaign designed to help provide solutions to the ongoing opiate crisis in America. He is now planning to resume this endeavor even as he overcomes his current health and financial situation.

For now, Gary is continuing to conquer cancer. At the onset of his cancer treatment Gary's oncologist told him, "80% of healing is emotional and mental, and 20% is physical."

The financial stresses related to recovery from his cancer surgery also take a significant emotional toll, inhibiting healing.

These expenses need to be met to help Gary remain emotionally grounded and receive ongoing care to make certain that the cancer doesn't return.

To date, here are just a few examples of Gary's current expenses:

• Cost of colostomy supplies not covered by insurance

• Daily home nursing

• $2,000 out-of-pocket deductible for insurance

• Office visit co-pays for 5 different doctors.

• Drug prescription co-pays.

• Expenses not covered by insurance, including Pedialyte, daily foam sacrum pads and other supplies for wound care.

• He is not currently able to drive and has expense for Uber to Dr visits, food shopping and other needs.

• Ongoing costs of living, such as rent, food, cell phone, electricity, car payments, etc.

• Rent in arrears - $4500

• Back car payments - $900

• Cancer-related treatments such as hydration therapy, physical therapy, immunotherapy and emotional therapy.

• Loss of income from seminars, workshops, and speaking engagements.

• Cost of Meeting new dietary requirements such as organic vegetables and meats

It's not like Gary to ask for help, so we are asking on his behalf. He's more comfortable with giving and has done just that for the past 27 plus years. But the financial strain of his surgery recovery is not manageable, and he needs our help. Gary has done so much for so many and strives to continue his work helping addicts regain their lives.

We can help Gary regain his life , and get back on his feet, carrying the message of hope and of recovery.

Let's help him pay for his remaining medical, aftercare and living costs and finally be done with cancer - One donation at a time. Any amount will help.

P.S. Please Like and share with friends on your social media platforms - Thank you for your support!

P.S. Please share with friends on your social media platforms – Thank you for your support!