The Gates Family
Donation protected
The Gates family became my second family when I was seven years old, 23 years ago.
In 2004 I witnessed what seemed to be the beginning of the end for the family of four. Patti Gates was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer... On May 27, 2008 Patti lost the five year battle and I saw my best friend and her family come together to stay strong through one of the most difficult times a family could face...
If only this would have been the end of their suffering and a start to their healing...
Two years later, in 2010, Devin Gates was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia and facing 50% survival at the age of 20. It was four years of intensive chemo therapy, spinal taps, bone marrow procedures and hospital stays until Devin was declared cancer free in 2015.
On Tuesday, May 28, 2019 Gregory Gates lost his life to his ongoing battle with diabetes. Over the years Greg had faced multiple health problems due to untreated diabetes; as he was too financially burdened with medical bills and loans from his families previous health hardships. From 2015 up until his passing, Greg experienced heart failure, neuropathy, vision loss, kidney failure and eventually dialysis.
Never have I witnessed a family be hit so hard by the cards of life. And never have I witnessed a family come together to stay strong and support one another the way the Gates have.
In 2012 Jessica managed to graduate U of O even with all she was taking on to support her brother and father. In 2017 she earned her masters.
Devin and Greg lived together as roommates since 2008 supporting one another emotionally and financially.
As Devin and Jessica begin to face the reality of losing both parents, they also face the reality of the financial burdens that come with it; household bills, medical debts and loans, funeral and cremation costs, and transitional living expenses.
Money will not buy happiness for these two; their love will heal their hearts with time. However, any financial help will allow them to focus on what is most important; their family.
In 2004 I witnessed what seemed to be the beginning of the end for the family of four. Patti Gates was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer... On May 27, 2008 Patti lost the five year battle and I saw my best friend and her family come together to stay strong through one of the most difficult times a family could face...
If only this would have been the end of their suffering and a start to their healing...
Two years later, in 2010, Devin Gates was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia and facing 50% survival at the age of 20. It was four years of intensive chemo therapy, spinal taps, bone marrow procedures and hospital stays until Devin was declared cancer free in 2015.
On Tuesday, May 28, 2019 Gregory Gates lost his life to his ongoing battle with diabetes. Over the years Greg had faced multiple health problems due to untreated diabetes; as he was too financially burdened with medical bills and loans from his families previous health hardships. From 2015 up until his passing, Greg experienced heart failure, neuropathy, vision loss, kidney failure and eventually dialysis.
Never have I witnessed a family be hit so hard by the cards of life. And never have I witnessed a family come together to stay strong and support one another the way the Gates have.
In 2012 Jessica managed to graduate U of O even with all she was taking on to support her brother and father. In 2017 she earned her masters.
Devin and Greg lived together as roommates since 2008 supporting one another emotionally and financially.
As Devin and Jessica begin to face the reality of losing both parents, they also face the reality of the financial burdens that come with it; household bills, medical debts and loans, funeral and cremation costs, and transitional living expenses.
Money will not buy happiness for these two; their love will heal their hearts with time. However, any financial help will allow them to focus on what is most important; their family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Natalie Finn
Organizer
Lake Oswego, OR
Jessica Diegel
Beneficiary