Helping out Charlie

Hello,

I was asked to set up this GoFundMe by the friends of my father, Charles Ortolani. As some of you may know, Charlie was diagnosed with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer, in August 2023. After going on various cancer medications and receiving one chemo treatment, numerous other health complications arose, including a bout with vertigo, pneumonia, COVID, and an infection that turned septic. For a while, it seemed like something new was popping up every few days. During this time, and particularly owed to the opportunistic infection he incurred, which can be common with chemo treatment, it was decided that he would no longer pursue treatment for his cancer.

Since mid October, 2023, Charlie has been living and receiving rehab services at Hathorne Hill in Danvers Massachusetts. When he arrived there, it was the first time the family felt any sense of security and relative calm in what had been an incredibly chaotic few months. At the moment, he is considered still skillable as a rehab patient, but he will eventually be classified as a hospice patient. Once that happens, the family will start having to pay privately for his services and board at Hathorne.

Many of Charlie's friends have reached out to the family and asked what they can do to help, and suggested setting up this page. In the issue of transparency, the family wants everyone to know that some funds exist to help pay for his services, although there are financial anxieties that have arisen.

Unfortunately there is no cure or treatment for what Charlie is going through, only ways to preserve and maintain his quality of life. A situation like this can seem quite bleak, and perhaps unfair given his reputation as a kind man with a gentle soul. This GoFundMe has been set up both as a way to assist the family in a difficult time, but also to provide his friends and other family with updates, and with some kind of outlet in which to participate. It can be hard to think of how to help in a time like this, and while he cannot be cured, his residence at Hathorne has greatly improved the quality of his experience in the midst of the most difficult time in his and his family's life.

It is difficult to know what else to say. This has all happened very quickly. The family is doing their best and has a lot of people in their corner, but it's still a Sisyphean task to keep up with the various financial obligations and administrative work this situation requires.

Please feel free to give what you are comfortable with, and to reach out to Nick or other members of the family if you need any more information.

Thank you.