John and Vonnie

We are so blessed to have John Guay and Vonnie Estes as very active members of the traditional music and dance scene in the Albany-Saratoga region. John has been a mainstay of the Dance Flurry Organization, serving as its president for many years, and now as vice president. They have both been leaders of the Pan-Celtic Session at the Parting Glass Pub in Saratoga Springs on Wednesday evenings. They have led a session or two at the Flurry Festival for years.

Unfortunately, they have been struck with very bad luck. John has several medical conditions that are chronic but that can also become acute. This became horrifyingly, publicly clear as John was struck down twice right in front of the room at the Parting Glass session. In both cases the EMTs were there within minutes and got him to the hospital immediately. In the first instance, earlier in the year, he reached the hospital fast enough that he could be revived from a cardiac arrest. In the second instance, on July 5th, a tumor was discovered in John's neck that has necessitated a complicated round of rehab, chemotherapy and lots more complicated medical management for his interacting conditions. When John is in the hospital or rehab, Vonnie is by his side. When he can be home, Vonnie cares constantly for him and transports him to whatever medical appointments are needed. "Complications on complications," she has said, and also "Drama is the word for our lives right now"!

John and Vonnie have needs of two kinds. First are the surprise medical bills. Even though they're both on Social Security and Medicare, as Vonnie said, "Who knew that the chemo pharmacy would be so expensive in and of itself....and, of course, his stays in the hospitals/rehab center." Second are some home maintenance needs, particularly their aging heating system that has started to come apart. That has to be taken care of before winter.

Time for us all to step up and help them through this. Give what you can.

Charles Fisher