Help Tim & Patty Prizio Through a Health Crisis

Hello, my name is Amanda, and I want to share the story of my stepfather, Tim. He entered my life when I was just eight years old. Tim married my mother, Patricia Mink-Prizio, over 24 years ago. When Tim vowed to love and cherish my mother in sickness and in health, he also embraced the responsibility of caring for her four daughters, Heidi, Jessica, Markilynn and myself even though none of us are his biological children. Tim has always been there for me and my sisters, ready to lend a helping hand or give us whatever he could, even if it meant sacrificing his own comfort.

For years, Tim has been the primary provider for my mother. In December 2019, my mother has been unable to work due to serious health issues following a COVID hospitalization where she was on life support for a week. Since then, her health has deteriorated, resulting in a stroke that has left her partially blind and unable to walk without assistance. Throughout this time, Tim worked tirelessly to pay their bills, delivering food to residents in Worcester County.

In April 2024, however, Tim received devastating news—he was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer. Since June, I have been taking him to chemotherapy appointments. After completing an aggressive treatment cycle in August, Tim felt optimistic as his latest PET/CT scan indicated that the cancer had shrunk.

By September, Tim was eager to return to work and regain his independence. He is the kind of person who thrives on activity and cannot stand being idle. However, the physical toll of chemotherapy made it impossible for him to resume work.

Sadly, in mid-October, Tim began experiencing intense pain. After several trips to the emergency room, tests and scans led him back to his oncologist. The doctor wanted him to come in immediately. We scheduled an appointment on October 28th at the Ambulatory Care Center—where Tim had previously received his first chemotherapy treatment—we received heartbreaking news: the cancer had returned, likely larger than it was before treatment began.

We discussed options for pain management and alternative chemotherapy treatments, but the prognosis was grim. The new chemotherapy has only a 20% chance of being effective, and the doctor was clear that Tim's time is limited—he may have only weeks to months left. Despite the odds, Tim remains hopeful and is committed to trying this next round of treatment.

On November 5th, Tim will have a port placed for his upcoming chemotherapy, which will begin on November 6th. He will follow a regimen of treatments every other week, and we should soon know if it is having the desired effect.

Since Tim has been unable to work since June, financial resources have dwindled, leaving my family struggling to pay for basic necessities. We have been trying to secure social security disability benefits, but he was only approved for a meager amount each month. Thankfully, my parents were finally approved for food stamps in September, which has provided some relief.

My sisters and I are doing everything we can to support our parents, but it isn’t enough. Though Tim is reluctant to ask for help, my mother has reached out to me to create a GoFundMe campaign for them.

They need assistance with rent and utilities during this difficult time. We are also preparing for the future, as there is no life insurance in place. When the time comes, my sisters and I will be responsible for not only funeral expenses but also for caring for our mother, just as Tim did when he was able.

We are bracing for the worst while holding onto hope for the best. Any contribution, no matter how small, would mean the world to us and provide much-needed support during this challenging chapter in our lives. Thank you.