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I need your help to fight cancer

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UPDATE - Dec. 19, 2023 - From Darrick:
Some good news! Just yesterday the doctors said that I should be ready for my surgical procedure in January! At first, they thought that I would need several more Chemo treatments to continue shrinking the tumor on my pancreas before we could do surgery. It looks like we have made enough progress to remove it soon! Chemo is brutal and I am so thankful that it seems to be working. The next big challenge is to get through the surgery. It is called the Whipple Procedure. They will remove part of my pancreas, small intestine, gallbladder, and bile duct. This surgery can last 10 hours or more. I will be in the hospital ICU recovering for a couple of weeks and then on bed rest for several weeks after that. I just want to thank every single person who helped me get this far. Your generosity has helped make it all a bit easier.
THANK YOU ALL & happy holidays!

UPDATED Oct. 23, 2023 - From Darrick:
Please keep me and my family in your prayers. The more treatments I have the longer the side effects linger. Nothing tastes good. My hair is starting to fall out of my beard. I have mouth sores and neuropathy in my hands and feet. I appreciate all of the monetary support and prayers during this time. I have an amazing support system and a mother who has NOT left my side since I returned to Indianapolis. I will try to update you all again when I have the energy, but it may be times when you don't hear from me but those closest to me know how to get in touch with my immediate family/mom.
I am making this update on my birthday and thanking God for blessing me to see another year!
Thank you in advance and GOD bless.

This is why I need your help - From Darrick
I am reaching out to you to do something that I don’t normally do. Today I am asking for your help. Please know that I don’t take this request lightly. I am asking for your support to help me face the toughest battle of my life. In August 2023 I was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. This disease is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer in existence and the journey ahead is bound to be extremely challenging. I am going to need a strong support system around me and as many resources as possible to get through this.

Right now, medical bills, medications, and living expenses are piling up and adding a layer of stress to an already very difficult situation. I understand that times are tough for everyone which is why any little bit of support you can spare means even more, especially right now. Your prayers, kind words, and emotional support are also appreciated during this time.
Your donation, no matter the size, will go directly towards easing the financial burden that came along with this diagnosis. Even sharing this fundraiser with your social media followers, friends, family, and co-workers really does mean the world to me.

If you don’t know me, allow me to introduce myself, I am Darrick aka Dabo aka Nicky Boyd. I was born and raised in Marion, Indiana. I am a graduate of Marion High School. Less than two years ago I moved from Indianapolis to Gainesville, Florida. I had a dream to eventually retire and live out the rest of my days in the sunny South. I enjoy cooking, watching kickboxing, traveling, and horseback riding.

I am a Veteran of the U.S. Navy. I served as a cook in Guam and Washington State from 1988-1992. I have worked for the V.A. for 24 years in both Indianapolis and in Gainesville. Although I am a Veteran, I am not currently service-connected, so only some of my medical bills are covered.

My family in Indiana will be there to help get me to my doctor’s and chemo appointments. I will need to rely on their care while I am in recovery. I am also a Diabetic who requires daily insulin injections. In addition to Diabetes, I have stints in my G.I. tract which require replacement via surgery every 3-6 months. As you can imagine, these additional ailments pose further medical and financial complications. I love to imagine the day when my body is healthy and whole again.

Your support will be used to help cover my financial responsibilities as I fight. On October 2nd I started 6 months of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor in my Pancreas. After chemo, I will then undergo surgery. The plan is to remove the tumor as well as parts of my gall bladder, stomach, and small intestine via a surgical method called the Whipple Procedure. I have been told by my doctors that if all goes well, it will take about 6 months to recover from that procedure. After that, we will see if more treatment is needed.

It is difficult to estimate exactly how much this will all cost, but it isn’t unrealistic to expect that there will be tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses to contend with. In addition to medical bills and prescriptions, I will also have all my regular living expenses to keep up with. I am not sure how much longer I am going to be able to continue to work at my job at the V.A. while I undergo chemotherapy. I plan to do my best to keep working as long as possible while in treatment. Your generosity will help relieve some of the financial hardships while I deal with the physical burdens of this disease.

I have always been an independent person who enjoys helping others, asking for help is a really hard thing to do. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring, none of us really do, but I do know that I have a much better shot if I have the help of my family, friends, and community as I fight this battle. This is one that I cannot do alone. I need you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Darrick
aka Dabo aka Nicky
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Donations 

  • James Campbell
    • $50
    • 1 yr
  • Elaine Yednak
    • $50
    • 1 yr
  • Aretha Williams-White
    • $25
    • 1 yr
  • Darrant Rayner
    • $150
    • 1 yr
  • Anonymous
    • $100
    • 1 yr
Donate

Organizer and beneficiary

Ashley Queen
Organizer
Marion, IN
Darrick Boyd
Beneficiary

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