Michael Mayfield Fund-mentor and friend to so many
Donation protected
"Happy to be here."
That is what you will hear Michael Mayfield say in response to "good, you?" on a typical day in Columbia, South Carolina. There is a 100% chance he is walking his Boston Terrier Penni, his therapy dog, either on the way to, or on the way from, the surf or skate shop, skatepark, photo shop, book store, or sandwich shop. It is also likely that he gifts you printed photos as a souvenir to a place and time when you were happy and probably, but not limited to, skateboarding or surfing.
Wherever it is, there is no one exempt from a handshake or conversation with Michael as he spontaneously evokes a sense of trust and comfort in the people he encounters. He serves, even if for a moment, as a mentor to all, reminding those around him that they matter. With that being said, Michael Mayfield has never met a stranger.
And never a stranger to involvement in his community, he has remained a pillar of support to so many in Columbia. But now, Michael needs your support.
On August 5th, 2019, after experiencing sudden difficulty recollecting his familiar surroundings, Michael was admitted to the ER for exhibiting stroke-like symptoms. Subsequently, an MRI discovered a mass in his brain soon to be diagnosed as a Stage 4 glioblastoma multiforme, a rapidly progressing and untreatable form of brain cancer.
The increased need for care and supervision provided in a memory care assisted living facility must come promptly and the cost of doing so will increase as his disease progresses with costs estimated to be approximately $12,000 per month. Please help Michael with getting the care he needs.
More prone to giving, whether it be to friends, the community, or strangers in need, Michael is now in a situation where he needs support. Whether it's through prayer, reaching out, or helping offset costs associated with his care, Michael is thankful for any and all of the support he will receive.
As a family friend, I have seen Michael Mayfield face unfathomable challenges over the years. On December 5th, 2010, after years of fighting, Michael's wife Paula succumbed to cancer. In 2013, Michael experienced a house fire that resulted in the loss of everything except for the clothes on his back, including his beloved Boston Terrier Pauli.
Prevailing today, Michael has maintained a wholehearted togetherness and continues to evoke positivity in the world around him. Despite heartbreaking circumstances, Michael has managed to put a smile on others as well as on himself every day.
Having grown up in Fort Lauderdale and experiencing surfing along the coast of Florida, Michael supplemented his passion for riding waves with riding skateboards. He was also an All-American springboard diver who actually, one year, was just a fraction of a point shy of going to the olympics. He did it all. Eventually, he chose to turn his love for giving into his profession.
Michael was a professor at Winyah Academy, University of South Carolina diving instructor, middle school teacher at Hand, lifeguard at Pawley's Pier, and a YMCA soccer coach. A son. A husband. A father. A friend. A mentor to so many.
I believe most of the love, support, and magic Michael brings to other lives is experienced through interactions on an individual basis. He looks you in the eyes when he shakes your hand. He listens when you speak. He is approachable and if you are shy, he will take the initiative to close the gap.
With the world tending to move at a "stop-at-nothing" pace, Michael is constantly a breath of fresh-air, in his steadfastness for what he believes.
To share a moment with Michael Mayfield is a life treasure. His everlasting compassion for helping others and listening will forever be cherished as a reminder that we should all be, "happy to be here."
Please check back for updates on Michael-
Professional Geriatric Care Manager, Gale Bostick, LBSW, M.Ed., ACM-SW, ALL SEASONS ELDER CARE MANAGEMENT will be withdrawing and managing the monies raised in support of Michael Mayfield to pay for his health care costs.
PHOTOS OF MICHAEL
That is what you will hear Michael Mayfield say in response to "good, you?" on a typical day in Columbia, South Carolina. There is a 100% chance he is walking his Boston Terrier Penni, his therapy dog, either on the way to, or on the way from, the surf or skate shop, skatepark, photo shop, book store, or sandwich shop. It is also likely that he gifts you printed photos as a souvenir to a place and time when you were happy and probably, but not limited to, skateboarding or surfing.
Wherever it is, there is no one exempt from a handshake or conversation with Michael as he spontaneously evokes a sense of trust and comfort in the people he encounters. He serves, even if for a moment, as a mentor to all, reminding those around him that they matter. With that being said, Michael Mayfield has never met a stranger. And never a stranger to involvement in his community, he has remained a pillar of support to so many in Columbia. But now, Michael needs your support.
On August 5th, 2019, after experiencing sudden difficulty recollecting his familiar surroundings, Michael was admitted to the ER for exhibiting stroke-like symptoms. Subsequently, an MRI discovered a mass in his brain soon to be diagnosed as a Stage 4 glioblastoma multiforme, a rapidly progressing and untreatable form of brain cancer.
The increased need for care and supervision provided in a memory care assisted living facility must come promptly and the cost of doing so will increase as his disease progresses with costs estimated to be approximately $12,000 per month. Please help Michael with getting the care he needs.
More prone to giving, whether it be to friends, the community, or strangers in need, Michael is now in a situation where he needs support. Whether it's through prayer, reaching out, or helping offset costs associated with his care, Michael is thankful for any and all of the support he will receive.
As a family friend, I have seen Michael Mayfield face unfathomable challenges over the years. On December 5th, 2010, after years of fighting, Michael's wife Paula succumbed to cancer. In 2013, Michael experienced a house fire that resulted in the loss of everything except for the clothes on his back, including his beloved Boston Terrier Pauli.
Prevailing today, Michael has maintained a wholehearted togetherness and continues to evoke positivity in the world around him. Despite heartbreaking circumstances, Michael has managed to put a smile on others as well as on himself every day. Having grown up in Fort Lauderdale and experiencing surfing along the coast of Florida, Michael supplemented his passion for riding waves with riding skateboards. He was also an All-American springboard diver who actually, one year, was just a fraction of a point shy of going to the olympics. He did it all. Eventually, he chose to turn his love for giving into his profession.
Michael was a professor at Winyah Academy, University of South Carolina diving instructor, middle school teacher at Hand, lifeguard at Pawley's Pier, and a YMCA soccer coach. A son. A husband. A father. A friend. A mentor to so many. I believe most of the love, support, and magic Michael brings to other lives is experienced through interactions on an individual basis. He looks you in the eyes when he shakes your hand. He listens when you speak. He is approachable and if you are shy, he will take the initiative to close the gap.With the world tending to move at a "stop-at-nothing" pace, Michael is constantly a breath of fresh-air, in his steadfastness for what he believes.
To share a moment with Michael Mayfield is a life treasure. His everlasting compassion for helping others and listening will forever be cherished as a reminder that we should all be, "happy to be here."
Please check back for updates on Michael-
Professional Geriatric Care Manager, Gale Bostick, LBSW, M.Ed., ACM-SW, ALL SEASONS ELDER CARE MANAGEMENT will be withdrawing and managing the monies raised in support of Michael Mayfield to pay for his health care costs.
PHOTOS OF MICHAEL
Organizer and beneficiary
Michael Mayfield
Organizer
Columbia, SC
Gale Bostick
Beneficiary