Leon Marczak
Donation protected
Those of you that know me know my Uncle Leon raised me as my father figure in Poland. I did not have my biological father growing up, which is where my Uncle Leon stepped in to raise me. Growing up in Poland during communist times was challenging enough. We did not have a lot of money, and access to common goods was something not many have had to experience. I grew up in a one bedroom condo with my mom and my 2 sisters. Luckily, I had my Uncle took me in and showed me what it was like to have a father.
Over the last several years Leon has had a long battle with various cancers. Leon was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014. Medical coverage in Poland as it is today is extremely challenging. Unless you have money, you don't have access to the best care. Through the years of treatment, surgeries, colostomy bags, and sleepless nights, Leon still managed to hold a job and support his family.
In September of 2017 Leon was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma cancer which started attacking his bones and organs. After almost a year of waiting for doctors and specialists who were not able to take care of them, they found a specialist in Warsaw who was able to support his challenging needs. At this point the disease had spread so much he had no choice but to quit his job and travel 2.5 hours each way by train from Bialystock to Warsaw twotimes a week to get Chemo treatment. My family does not own a car so they had to make this commute by train.
On December 10th, on the way to his 6th treatment back to Warsaw for Chemo, he had a seizure right in front of the hospital. He was unconscious for several hours. Since then he has had several seizures and is no longer able to eat on his own or recognize his family.
Currently, he is in the hospital in Warsaw, 2.5 hours away from his family. He is expected to pass any day now. His wife, daughter and grandson are travelling as much as they can back and forth with the 5 hour daily commute. To transfer him back to Bialystock next to his family will cost about $2500. In addition to this, his family needs help for future funeral costs.
I am travelling back to Poland on 1/9/19 to help my family. I'm not sure at this point if I am going to see him or be there to help grieve the loss of who I consider my father.
We are looking to raise money to help bring Leon home to his family so they do not have to make the 5 hour commute during the end of his life. We want him to be able to spend the last days of his life with his family. This is a very difficult Christmas for us and any help would be so greatly appreciated.
Over the last several years Leon has had a long battle with various cancers. Leon was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014. Medical coverage in Poland as it is today is extremely challenging. Unless you have money, you don't have access to the best care. Through the years of treatment, surgeries, colostomy bags, and sleepless nights, Leon still managed to hold a job and support his family.
In September of 2017 Leon was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma cancer which started attacking his bones and organs. After almost a year of waiting for doctors and specialists who were not able to take care of them, they found a specialist in Warsaw who was able to support his challenging needs. At this point the disease had spread so much he had no choice but to quit his job and travel 2.5 hours each way by train from Bialystock to Warsaw twotimes a week to get Chemo treatment. My family does not own a car so they had to make this commute by train.
On December 10th, on the way to his 6th treatment back to Warsaw for Chemo, he had a seizure right in front of the hospital. He was unconscious for several hours. Since then he has had several seizures and is no longer able to eat on his own or recognize his family.
Currently, he is in the hospital in Warsaw, 2.5 hours away from his family. He is expected to pass any day now. His wife, daughter and grandson are travelling as much as they can back and forth with the 5 hour daily commute. To transfer him back to Bialystock next to his family will cost about $2500. In addition to this, his family needs help for future funeral costs.
I am travelling back to Poland on 1/9/19 to help my family. I'm not sure at this point if I am going to see him or be there to help grieve the loss of who I consider my father.
We are looking to raise money to help bring Leon home to his family so they do not have to make the 5 hour commute during the end of his life. We want him to be able to spend the last days of his life with his family. This is a very difficult Christmas for us and any help would be so greatly appreciated.
Organizer
Iwona Thomas
Organizer
Naperville, IL