This is very difficult news to share and even harder to be asking for help on behalf of my family. My brothers and I have not come to this decision lightly and would not be reaching out if it wasn’t a last ditch effort to attempt to alleviate mounting burdens. 

What many people don’t know is that my dad’s diagnosis of hemochromatosis has largely contributed to his liver issues. He was born with the chronic condition but it went undetected for most of his life. He was unaware of the effects the disease was causing. In early February he opted for the TIPS surgery to improve liver function. Due to complications from the failed surgery, he was on life support for almost a week in mid March. The road to recovery from this near-death experience has been unfathomable, and a full recovery is unexpected. He is currently unable to do most physical activities without assistance. He continues to suffer from the lasting side effects of this blow, including several cognitive and neurological issues. Honestly, he is barely holding on while he awaits a liver transplant. If and when he does recieve a liver, it is a very long road ahead. We are beyond grateful for the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals at Hopkins who have provided and will continue to provide him with the best possible care. 

This has been the biggest medical set back of my dad’s life, leaving him unable to work for the past several months and landing my parents in a devastating financial predicament. Some of you may know my mom is no longer able to work due to disability. She has become my dad’s full time caregiver while balancing her own chronic conditions. They have been suffering quietly for quite some time now, resulting in the exhaustion of all of their savings. 

Because of the overwhelming circumstances, all but one of my dad’s employees have chosen to leave and seek other employment. He is currently faced with the unimaginably difficult decision to officially close his business, a practice he has poured everything he has into for nearly 15 years. This is a crippling blow to a tireless career of serving others for almost 35 years. 

Those that know my dad know the immense challenges he has faced before. With the support of family and friends, we saw him overcome leukemia over a decade ago. Despite every hardship, we know what a giving heart he has always had. Our whole lives my brothers and I watched him find time in his busy practice to help people that could do nothing for him in return. I’ll never know how many times he has selflessly represented family, friends, and strangers without hesitation and without asking for any compensation. I’ll never know how many times he accepted non-monetary ways to be “paid,” like allowing carpenters, builders, and artists to help him with home projects, mechanics to help work on vehicles, etc. He has always seen people for what they are able do, rather than what they are unable to do. As a person who’s spent his whole life putting others first, he has no choice but to focus on himself right now and staying alive.

If you know my parents, you know they would never want to accept help in this type of way. We haven’t told them about this page, but came to the realization it needs to be shared publicly, so I believe they’ll understand if they see it. Donations will be used towards mounting bills including medical, mortgage, and everyday life expenses like groceries, medical supplies, and prescriptions. We ask that if you are unable to make a donation, to please keep my dad and family in your thoughts and prayers. We are endlessly appreciative of anything anyone is able to give. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all for your time, understanding, and help.