Bud's (Ernie Reck) Medical Fund

My dad (Bud) was diagnosed with bladder cancer 6 years ago. After years of BCG treatments he visited a doctor who was able to use genetic testing to find speacialized treatment for the cancer that he has. By this time the cancer spread to his lymph nodes. His doctors office called his insurance company to pre-authorize the two chemo treatments he needed (determined by the genetic testing). The insurance company told them that no pre-authorization was needed and he was fine to start the treatments. My dad went to several chemotherapy treatments for months. Then one day he goes in for chemo and they tell him he can't do his treatments because his insurance was denying his claims. By the time the hospital would not let him get treatments anymore, my dad has $70,000 worth of treatments that insurance has denied. The doctor won't let him get any further treatments because it is so expensive.

My daughter (his grandaughter) was born in 2014 and has been enjoying time with his grandaughter and LOVES being a part of her 'first' moments . He has a love for aviation and worked at the airport in town for many years.  We are from South Dakota and my dad loves hunting and fishing. Opening day is like Christmas day to him. He wasn't able to go hunting last year because he was too sick to go. In the past few weeks my dad has had to leave his job because he is in so much pain. The swelling of the lypmh nodes in his back give him severve back pain and he isn't able to walk very far anymore.  He will be having hospice care at his house starting in the next few days. 

Now that my dad isn't able to work they are relying on my moms income, and now have a $70,000 medical bill hanging over their head. 

Any help you could give would be appreciated. My dad has never been one to ask for help but we have tried everything we can with his insurance company and we have had no luck.