Donation protected
Like many of us, the Parker family faced a lot of challenges in 2020. Shane works as a massage therapist at a high-end resort in Tucson. Kim is a Stay-at-home mom for their daughter, Emma. When COVID-19 struck, Shane was laid off for several months and the family struggled to get by on much less. When Shane did go back to work, his hours were reduced, and he took a second job doing construction.
One day in August, Kim suddenly started experiencing what she described as “a pain in my heart”. Initially diagnosed as anxiety, days later Kim would learn that she had a large (8cm) mass growing on her heart. What followed was a roller coaster of tests and scans. Due to the pandemic, the visits to the various doctors took much longer than they would have in normal times. Finally, after receiving the news that the tumor was indeed benign, open heart surgery was scheduled for late December.
Days before the surgery, Kim’s surgeon called with the devastating news that results of one test had come back late. He informed her that she actually has aggressive B-cell (non-Hodgkins) lymphoma. The surgery was cancelled and the following week, Kim started chemotherapy.
The Parker’s are fortunate to have health insurance through Shane’s employment. However, with COVID numbers spiking, his hours have been again reduced to the point that employment only barely covers the cost of the insurance. Due to Kim’s severely compromised immune system, getting a second job is not an option right now.
The Parker’s already live a simple life, but with nearly no income they are now in dire need of funds to pay for their basic necessities and all the new deductibles/co-pays on their insurance for 2021. While their total out-of-pocket is unknown right now, they do know they have a $6,000 deductible and will have to pay 20% of any uncovered costs.
Kim and Shane are Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are incredibly grateful for the support and assistance they have received from their local congregation.
Kim’s second round of chemotherapy starts this week. It is our hope that through the generosity of those who know what a kind and delightful person she is (and maybe some who haven’t met her) we can raise enough money to alleviate the financial stress they are facing right now. The next several months are going to be hard on the family no matter what. We’d like to give them one less thing to worry about.
One day in August, Kim suddenly started experiencing what she described as “a pain in my heart”. Initially diagnosed as anxiety, days later Kim would learn that she had a large (8cm) mass growing on her heart. What followed was a roller coaster of tests and scans. Due to the pandemic, the visits to the various doctors took much longer than they would have in normal times. Finally, after receiving the news that the tumor was indeed benign, open heart surgery was scheduled for late December.
Days before the surgery, Kim’s surgeon called with the devastating news that results of one test had come back late. He informed her that she actually has aggressive B-cell (non-Hodgkins) lymphoma. The surgery was cancelled and the following week, Kim started chemotherapy.
The Parker’s are fortunate to have health insurance through Shane’s employment. However, with COVID numbers spiking, his hours have been again reduced to the point that employment only barely covers the cost of the insurance. Due to Kim’s severely compromised immune system, getting a second job is not an option right now.
The Parker’s already live a simple life, but with nearly no income they are now in dire need of funds to pay for their basic necessities and all the new deductibles/co-pays on their insurance for 2021. While their total out-of-pocket is unknown right now, they do know they have a $6,000 deductible and will have to pay 20% of any uncovered costs.
Kim and Shane are Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are incredibly grateful for the support and assistance they have received from their local congregation.
Kim’s second round of chemotherapy starts this week. It is our hope that through the generosity of those who know what a kind and delightful person she is (and maybe some who haven’t met her) we can raise enough money to alleviate the financial stress they are facing right now. The next several months are going to be hard on the family no matter what. We’d like to give them one less thing to worry about.
Co-organizers (2)
Beth Weeks
Organizer
Tucson, AZ
Kimberly Parker
Beneficiary
Kai Rainey
Co-organizer