Help the Villani Family Defray Medical Costs

How do you ask for help during these times when everyone is struggling?  It isn't easy, however we need your help and support for the Villani family.  This is hard to ask for because Barb and the boys are very private, but it has been a really hard road these last 10 months for them all.  Frank was diagnosed in February with a very rare form of spinal cancer.  He had been struggling to fight this aggressive cancer from the moment he was told he had it, because cancer wasn't going to defeat him!  Frank courageously fought, but with him comprised immune system, COVID-19 was the final straw.  

As you can imagine even with the best insurance, the bills are insurmountable and any help to defray the insurance deductible costs to help Barb and the boys stay afloat would be appreciated.

To understand the magnitude of the exorbitant costs of his hospital stays, rehab and ICU care he endured  to fight to stay alive, here is Frank's 10 month journey with cancer:

February 2020: Frank was diagnosed with cancer and endured his first surgery where they removed the L4 and L5 and while the surgery was successful, and he was able to go to Kessler for rehabilitation to learn how to walk, COVID hit and it delayed his radiation treatment regime.  With the delays, unfortunately the cancer was very aggressive and came back.

May 2020; Frank underwent his 2nd surgery to remove the tumor and additional parts of the spine was removed and again went back to Kessler for a few weeks for rehabilitation.  Post surgery they needed to wait a few weeks for him to heal before he could start his treatment but more delays, MRIs and CT scans set him back yet again. 

July 2020: Frank wasn't feeling well and was set to begin treatment, but cancer had other ideas.  He went back for more MRIs to uncover the tumor was back and he needed to have his 3rd surgery of the spine.  The surgery was successful and he went back to Kessler for rehabilitation.  The vicious cycle to heal before treatment could begin started all over, and he still wasn't able to start radiation. But there was a light at the end of the tunnel, because treatment was imminent, or so we thought.

September 2020: Frank went to the hospital because the tumor came back and he had his 4th surgery.  The doctor was pleased with the surgery, he went in and removed the tumor and reconstructed his spine.  The team at Kessler welcomed him with open arms, because who didn't love Frank.  He again was determined to do the rehab, get back on his feet and start radiation.  And finally it happened, he began his aggressive radiation treatment.

October 2020: Frank and Barb drove religiously to New Brunswick 5 days a week getting up for either the early morning treatments, mid-day or early evening radiation treatments to fight the monster.  And while Frank was a little slower after the last surgery, he wasn't giving up, and he was fighting the good fight.

November 2020: The left hook came out of nowhere and hit him square in the face...and all of us who loved him for that matter, after countless negative tests for COVID-19, he tested positive and was admitted to the hospital.  But yet his spirits were still high. 

We have to ask, how could life be so unfair to Frank, a kind, gentle, loving person,  and to Barb and the boys who all took great precautions to make sure he wasn't around others, protecting him from any infections.  His friends and family who loved him dearly, also stayed away to keep him safe.

Classic Frank, always the optimist, was not going to let cancer or COVID-19 defeat him because he loved life, his family, and lord knows food :).  But COVID-19 and Frank's lungs unfortunately had other ideas and his lungs  weren't producing enough oxygen, so he and Barb made the hard decision to go on a vent to help with his breathing.  

Frank was in ICU for 18 days and his cancer coupled with COVID-19 finally won, and he lost his hard fought battle on 11/30/20.  So please, if you can, give a small donation to help the family.  They would truly appreciate the support. 

Peace and love.

Patti Leon and all of us who love the Villani Family