Let's Make this the Breast Holiday for Wendy!

Hi there! I’m Marnie Grodzin and I know an amazing woman who I think you should get to know too!

 

If you’re taking the time to read this I already know you are a compassionate person. So..hi there, nice to meet you! Compassionate people are my most favorite! We need more of YOU in this world.

 

I’m going to guess that you know of a single mom in your life who amazes you with the energy she puts forth for her children while her needs go to the wayside. You know, the mom who puts herself last. The one who drops into bed and passes out from the day's work or maybe she doesn’t sleep well due to all that is on her plate.

 

I’d like to introduce you to my friend Wendy! I met Wendy through my daughter’s travel softball team. Right away I could tell she was a go-getter. She is the mom running around taking the pictures, offering to make shirts, and running to her car as she always has what someone needs.

 

In December of 2020, Wendy found out she had breast cancer. From that moment on, while running from one doctor's appointment to another, Wendy continued working her three jobs while still making softball games and practices for her daughter. Between chemo treatments, appointments, and surgeries Wendy could no longer be committed to all three jobs, so she had to let go of two.

 

The saving grace back during the diagnosis period was that Wendy purchased a critical illness policy due to the fear of Covid. If Wendy contracted Covid and didn’t survive, her children (ages 14 and 15) would not have a safe and welcoming place to live. Joy did come when Wendy learned she was in remission. The next step was reconstructive surgery. Weeks before the scheduled reconstructive surgery Wendy received a letter that her critical care policy was denying to cover her medical expenses. They are claiming that her breast cancer is a pre-existing illness, but the time tells a different story. Wendy is in the midst of the appeals process and has been denied once, but will continue to fight. I failed to mention that Wendy has always been a fighter. Wendy left home when she was 14 in order to keep herself safe. Clearly, there's more to Wendy's life story, but that is a story for her to tell.

 

Over the years Wendy has worked hard to build a good credit score in hopes to move her family to a place of their own. Wendy was finally at a point where she could put a down payment on a house. We, some of the softball moms, looked forward to throwing a housewarming party for Wendy and her children, but now without having medical bills covered Wendy is no longer able to move forward with plans of moving her children into a place they can call home together. Wendy is in a position where she will need to claim bankruptcy due to the medical bills. Did you know paying for medical expenses is the top reason for bankruptcy filing in America?

Upon learning all of the above, I knew my fingers needed to get typing to start turning this situation around. Wendy has over $30,000+ in medical expenses still owed. She has paid what she can and is starting to look again for additional jobs, but in the meantime, the expenses will not wait. Wendy has worked too hard over the years, really over her entire life, to take the steps of filing bankruptcy. I feel called to prevent this from happening and I hope you do too!  I would love nothing more than to make this the Breast Holiday Season for Wendy and her children.

 

P.S. The photo I shared is a few years old. I pulled this picture from Wendy's FB and it was one of the few I could find with her in it. Such a mom thing:)

 

Have a Great Holiday Season!