Help for Jim Palka

In 2020, Jim Palka, my life-long friend and partner, was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer, which was a devastating blow for us. With it has come debilitating pain and profound weakness, unlike anything he has ever known. Remarkably, he has been able to stay hopeful and keep a positive attitude through it all, even bolstering me, his primary caretaker.

Jim has been a lover of nature and the outdoors his whole life, as evidenced by the beautiful photos he has taken. If you know Jim, you will always picture him with a camera hanging around his neck. He has become an accomplished photographer over the years, and some of you may have become familiar with his work through his annual calendars. His love of photography also became a source of a modest income which proved to be helpful over the years in paying some of the bills. 

Since his diagnosis, and subsequent pain and weakness, this venue for income has been impossible to pursue. To be forced to give up his love of photography, as well as a source of some income, has not only hurt Jim mentally and emotionally, but also financially. This lack of income along with mounting medical bills has been a terrible stress, putting Jim and me in the difficult position of reaching out to our community, asking for help.

Jim has been able to find some relief, and even hope with adjunct treatments and services, including nutritional and herbal supplementation, all of which is not covered by Medicare or supplemental insurance.

I had postponed developing a GoFundMe page for well over a year, hoping that we could manage this on our own, not wanting to admit to Jim, and even to myself, how dire things had gotten, and how much we have needed help. But Jim is now at a pivotal stage in his care, and there is no doubt now, he needs help. 

Please offer whatever you can. We will be eternally grateful.

Hallie Loewy