Howard and Tim Need Your Help
Donation protected
Since meeting in an El Paso, Texas bar in the mid-1960s, partners Howard Deakyne and Tim Fuller have been working toward a better world both for individuals and our nation. Together they built innovative communities of caring in California, Colorado, Missouri, the District of Columbia, and their home state, Texas. Those who have been fortunate enough to meet Howard and Tim share the conviction that these are two men possessed of an extraordinary sense of civic responsibility, compassion, and depth of character.
Howard and Tim’s life is one of legend. In California, they befriended famous poets of the Beat generation; in Boulder, Colorado, they opened a bookstore where Tim later won political office and worked to pass the first local ordinance in the United States which outlawed discrimination against gays and lesbians; in rural Missouri, Howard and Tim bred award-winning goats; in Washington, they ran progressive campaigns to end hunger and homelessness, and worked to revitalize the Gray Panthers, building coalitions to fight for universal health care and campaign finance reform; Howard taught life-changing high school courses in English and film; the couple even opened the mind of a staunch conservative drill sergeant who went on to serve as best man at their wedding. There are many such stories and few know them all, but one need only look to the diversity of those who surround Howard and Tim to appreciate their altruism, which has connected people of different ages, genders, orientations, and social backgrounds.
This storied life, however, has taken a somber turn. In November 2016, Howard was diagnosed with Stage IIIb lung cancer. For most of 2017, he underwent standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The results were initially encouraging – the cancer showed no signs of progression. Sadly, right before Thanksgiving 2017, a hospitalization for a severe headache revealed that the cancer had metastasized to his brain. Twelve additional full-brain radiotherapy treatments ensued at a great physical and psychological cost. So intense were the side effects of the treatments that Howard began to question his ability to continue fighting the disease.
Hope has come in the form of a cutting-edge immunotherapy drug called Tagrisso. Clinical trials suggest that continued use of the medication will curtail the cancer’s progression and thus extend Howard’s life. It is now an essential component of the current care plan. Both he and his oncologist are very optimistic. Unfortunately, Tagrisso’s price is a prohibitive $13,000 monthly. Combined with other necessary expenses - which include, but are not limited to: supplemental medication, lab work, doctor visits, palliative and domestic assistance, insurance premiums, and transportation – the cumulative out-of-pocket total swells to roughly $17,800 monthly.
Refusing to be victim of this exorbitant cost, Tim has successfully secured a grant that will cover the Tagrisso in full. Factoring in support from Medicare and Mutual of Omaha, his and Howard’s financial obligations now stand at $4,800 a month ($57,600 annually). The goal of this campaign is to raise the foregoing sum so that the beneficiaries can focus on each other, rather than the dollars and cents required to extend their time together.
Having given of themselves tirelessly for their entire lives, neither Howard nor Tim have accumulated vast riches in their time. They instead pursued a life of shared simplicity and as a result, now lack sufficient funds to cover all of their expenses without assistance. Friends and family have already stepped in to the best of their ability, but more help is needed. This fundraiser is an opportunity to make a contribution to the wellbeing of men who have dedicated themselves to enriching the lives of others. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated.
“A purposeful act or extension of kindness to another is never wasted, for it always resides in the hearts of all involved in a chain of love.” – Molly Friedenfeld
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How you can help:
* Make a donation ( no ammount is too big or too small!)
* Share a link to this campaign on social media and/or through email
Disclosure
Our names are Gad Krumholz, Casey Frank, and Louis Keller from Austin, Texas - Howard's former students and current friends, the initiators of this gofundme campaign. In an effort to remain transparent we have added our connection to the campaign. We set this up to support Howard and Tim in much the same way they've helped others (us included) throughout their lives. The funds will be directly deposited into their bank account.
Howard and Tim’s life is one of legend. In California, they befriended famous poets of the Beat generation; in Boulder, Colorado, they opened a bookstore where Tim later won political office and worked to pass the first local ordinance in the United States which outlawed discrimination against gays and lesbians; in rural Missouri, Howard and Tim bred award-winning goats; in Washington, they ran progressive campaigns to end hunger and homelessness, and worked to revitalize the Gray Panthers, building coalitions to fight for universal health care and campaign finance reform; Howard taught life-changing high school courses in English and film; the couple even opened the mind of a staunch conservative drill sergeant who went on to serve as best man at their wedding. There are many such stories and few know them all, but one need only look to the diversity of those who surround Howard and Tim to appreciate their altruism, which has connected people of different ages, genders, orientations, and social backgrounds.
This storied life, however, has taken a somber turn. In November 2016, Howard was diagnosed with Stage IIIb lung cancer. For most of 2017, he underwent standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The results were initially encouraging – the cancer showed no signs of progression. Sadly, right before Thanksgiving 2017, a hospitalization for a severe headache revealed that the cancer had metastasized to his brain. Twelve additional full-brain radiotherapy treatments ensued at a great physical and psychological cost. So intense were the side effects of the treatments that Howard began to question his ability to continue fighting the disease.
Hope has come in the form of a cutting-edge immunotherapy drug called Tagrisso. Clinical trials suggest that continued use of the medication will curtail the cancer’s progression and thus extend Howard’s life. It is now an essential component of the current care plan. Both he and his oncologist are very optimistic. Unfortunately, Tagrisso’s price is a prohibitive $13,000 monthly. Combined with other necessary expenses - which include, but are not limited to: supplemental medication, lab work, doctor visits, palliative and domestic assistance, insurance premiums, and transportation – the cumulative out-of-pocket total swells to roughly $17,800 monthly.
Refusing to be victim of this exorbitant cost, Tim has successfully secured a grant that will cover the Tagrisso in full. Factoring in support from Medicare and Mutual of Omaha, his and Howard’s financial obligations now stand at $4,800 a month ($57,600 annually). The goal of this campaign is to raise the foregoing sum so that the beneficiaries can focus on each other, rather than the dollars and cents required to extend their time together.
Having given of themselves tirelessly for their entire lives, neither Howard nor Tim have accumulated vast riches in their time. They instead pursued a life of shared simplicity and as a result, now lack sufficient funds to cover all of their expenses without assistance. Friends and family have already stepped in to the best of their ability, but more help is needed. This fundraiser is an opportunity to make a contribution to the wellbeing of men who have dedicated themselves to enriching the lives of others. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated.
“A purposeful act or extension of kindness to another is never wasted, for it always resides in the hearts of all involved in a chain of love.” – Molly Friedenfeld
-----------------------------------------------------------------
How you can help:
* Make a donation ( no ammount is too big or too small!)
* Share a link to this campaign on social media and/or through email
Disclosure
Our names are Gad Krumholz, Casey Frank, and Louis Keller from Austin, Texas - Howard's former students and current friends, the initiators of this gofundme campaign. In an effort to remain transparent we have added our connection to the campaign. We set this up to support Howard and Tim in much the same way they've helped others (us included) throughout their lives. The funds will be directly deposited into their bank account.
Organizer and beneficiary
Gad Krumholz
Organizer
Austin, TX
Timothy Fuller
Beneficiary
