Michael Holiday - Medical Expenses

About two months ago, Michael Holiday was working with students at his PPG school in Clinton, MO and began to feel what he thought was a muscle strain in the middle of his back.   He tried over the counter remedies but nothing provided relief.  A week later his legs began feeling weaker.  Within a short time, he was almost completely paralyzed from the waist down.  After going to the doctors in Chanute KS, he was immediately referred to St. Francis in Wichita, KS. 

He underwent emergency surgery to have a mass removed from around his thoracic spinal cord and thankfully it was a huge success!  The surgeons said he was only a few hours away from permanent nerve damage which would have resulted in permanent paralysis.  Thankfully, he is recovering and now more than a month later, he is able to walk with the assistance of a cane.  Even better, the prognosis is very good and the surgeons believe Michael will make a full recovery, but it will likely take months or possibly even years for the nerve damage in his spine to heal.


The tumor was caused by Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (Type B), which the doctors believe can be cured.  Aside from the surgery on his spine, the treatment is multiple rounds of chemotherapy.  Michael has already started the chemo treatments and will begin another round next week (12/3).

As you can imagine, all these doctor visits, hospital stays, chemo treatments, etc are very expensive!  Being employed by a small business  is very rewarding, but unfortunately it can also have its drawbacks, like not having great insurance...

If you have ever met Michael or spent any time with him, you know he is one of the nicest guys out there and would literally give you the shirt off his back.

I, along with a couple of other pilots here in Kansas City wanted to do something to help a fellow pilot and brother in need...since we aren't doctors, we felt this would be a good way to allow us and others to come along side Michael and help him out in a time of need.

As a cancer survivor myself, I can attest to the ups and downs that go along with these types of cancer treatments, an encouraging word or donation will help let Michael know you are standing with him as he goes through this journey.


Watch this cool story the local news did on Michael:
Local News Story on Michael 


We are confident we will see Michael foot launching again soon!