Our father, a dedicated Army veteran who served in Vietnam, returned home not only with a Purple Heart but also bearing the enduring scars of Agent Orange exposure, a fate shared by many of his fellow soldiers. Just a year later, Scott was born with Coarctation of the aorta, a serious heart defect. While civilian doctors at the time suggested that his condition was linked to the toxic herbicide, it took our government a painful 40 years to finally acknowledge this connection.

Since birth, Scott has faced a remarkable series of cardiac challenges, enduring multiple heart attacks and undergoing four open-heart surgeries. In addition, he has had three cardiac ablation procedures to eliminate areas of the heart responsible for abnormal electrical signals, and he has required cardioversion—an intervention to restore his heart's rhythm—a staggering 26 times. He turns 54 years old in a week.

Scott and his wife, Tammy, had earnestly prayed for 2025 to bring them brighter days, hoping for a year filled with blessings and joy. Unfortunately, their hopes did not materialize as they had wished.

On January 28th, Scott underwent surgery to remove what he believed was a benign cyst. Just a week later, however, the shocking news came: it was diagnosed as Squamous cell carcinoma. Given his existing heart condition, the medical team knew they could not afford to delay treatment. He underwent a Computed Tomography scan the following week, followed closely by a Positron Emission Tomography scan just two days afterward.

Through the scans, the doctors identified that the cancer had originated in his tonsils, leading to the removal of this vital tissue just a month after the initial cyst was excised. To sweeten the recovery, he enjoyed ice cream for the next two weeks!

Unfortunately, due to his inability to consume solid foods following the tonsillectomy, Scott experienced a recurrence of atrial fibrillation and had to be hospitalized again for an additional four days.

Scott's radiation treatment for cancer is set to commence on March 28th, encompassing five sessions each week for the next five to seven weeks. As he depletes his remaining Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits, which are set to expire soon, the financial strain is becoming increasingly challenging. Despite Scott and his wife, Tammy, making every effort to minimize expenses, they find themselves struggling to manage their mortgage and car payments without his full-time income. Any assistance donated will go towards mortgage so we don't lose the house.