Medical Fund to Support Resilient White Family

The Need

*UPDATED Breakdown (7/2/23)*

UW Medical Infusions 2022 ($6000): FUNDED (thank you!)

UW Medical Infusions 2023 ($6000): FUNDED (thank you!)

Pam's Insurance Premium Jan-May ($3500): FUNDED (thank you!)

Tracy's Insurance Premium Jan-May ($3500): FUNDED (thank you!)

Shower Transfer Bench ($325): FUNDED (thank you!)

Motorized Wheelchair balance ($1500): FUNDED (thank you!)

Hoyer Lift balance ($2700): FUNDED (thank you!)

Monthly Prescriptions June-Dec ($1400): FUNDED (thank you!)

Wheelchair Accessible Van balance ($23000): STILL NEEDED

Pam's Insurance Premium June-Dec ($4900): STILL NEEDED

Tracy's Insurance Premium June-Dec ($2100): STILL NEEDED

UW Medical Infusions 2024 ($6000): STILL NEEDED

My name is Casey and I have known and loved the White family for nearly 25 years.

Throughout this time, they have persevered through more medical trials than any one family should need to endure. This is a family who has worked hard and budgeted responsibly but simply has been dealt more than any financial plan could ever predict. I am asking for the help of friends and family who have continuously shown up when there is a great need, the McAuliffe Elementary community who intimately know the Whites, and anyone willing to take a moment to read about their journey. Your donation will make a real change in the life of a family who has continued to find the beauty in each day even while facing hardships beyond what most could imagine.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead

The Journey

The Whites' medical journey began when the father, Tracy, was diagnosed with Pompe Disease (a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy) at the age of 31. Just 8 years later, Pam and Tracy's oldest daughter Natalie was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor as a second grader. Pam needed to stop working to care for Natalie and manage all the hospital appointments while caring for their younger daughter Amanda. I met the White family in 1999 when Natalie was a 3rd grader in my classroom the fall after her brain surgery. Shortly after, Tracy had a stroke at the age of 45 due to his Pompe Disease. As a result, he had to stop working and claim disability. Pam was fortunate to work part time from 2004-2019 at the afterschool childcare where their girls had gone. The owner was flexible when Pam needed days off for appointments, infusions and to check on her family at home.

Tracy's parents became ill in 2015 and were unable to live independently. Pam and Tracy invited them to live with them so Pam could help care for them until their deaths in 2020 and 2021. As Tracy's strength declined, it became increasingly difficult for him to assist Pam in his transitions out of bed, into his wheelchair and then into a reclining chair. As Tracy was helping to transfer himself in the spring of 2021, he injured his back and has since been almost exclusively bedbound apart from making it to his infusions at UW Hospital to help slow the progression of his Muscular Dystrophy. They have a Hoyer lift at the house to lift Tracy out of bed and into his wheelchair, but it is a physically challenging task for Pam and a painful experience for Tracy. His bi-weekly infusions are the only tool his medical team have to slow the degeneration of his muscle tissues.

For the past year, Pam was tutoring some middle school kids in an attempt to bring in some extra income, while also being home and available for Tracy. Unfortunately, Pam’s mother became seriously ill in early April which required Pam to stop tutoring. Pam didn’t have enough time, as she had to be both at the hospital with her mom while also home with Tracy. This week (end of June 2023), Pam's mom moved in with Pam and Tracy so Pam can care for her more easily. This family is out of options and needs your help. Due to the family’s intense medical treatments, Tracy began using his retirement fund after his stroke. The account ran out 5 years ago. They are living on Medicare disability payments, the remainder of a long-term care policy and the last of Pam’s retirement.

The Ask

They need the help of their community to erase the heavy burden of their medical debt so they can focus on moving forward. Please donate and share this GoFundMe. Show the Whites that good things can happen to good people.