My Sister Jessica Fujimaki (Gleghorn) Medical Fund

Dear friends, I set up this fundraiser to help offset the cost of medical expenses that are now nearing $100,000 for my sister, Jessica Fujimaki (Gleghorn), her two daughters and husband Tad. Below outlines a detailed description of why I am asking for help on my sister's behalf (click read more). Please consider donating to this cause but if you are unable to donate, a comment of encouragement or sharing this Go Fund Me with your friends would mean the world. Thank you for your time.

~ Casey Gleghorn



While everyone has been affected by COVID 19 and its aftermath, some people have been harder hit than others. To me, hearing stories of catastrophic life changes is one more reason to be grateful—and to find ways to dig deep and help.

One of those stories belongs to my sister. And while I am not in a position to solve her problem alone, I decided to reach out to all of you, my community of friends and associates. I know times are tough for everyone, so if you can’t contribute, please consider sharing this fundraiser or offering some words of encouragement. Even a five-dollar contribution can send a message of hope.

Just one short year ago, my sister was happily parenting her two well-adjusted, healthy little girls, while her husband, a pro-golf instructor, worked as the family’s primary breadwinner. They lived in Hawaii, despite the high cost of living, because it was the perfect point between Japan, where his family resides, and the US, where our family is located. Through hard work and thrifty living, they had secured a small home for their family and were just beginning to feel financially stable—when double-disaster hit.



After routine care for back issues, Jessica suddenly started having alarming and mysterious symptoms that left her completely disabled. There were no answers from her caregivers in Hawaii, as doctor after doctor told her they could find no cause for her symptoms, symptoms that included:

•Paralysis
•Excruciating pain
•Numbness
•Muscle spasm and loss of muscle control
•Vision changes
•Cognitive issues and difficulty speaking
•Nausea and vomiting
•Vertigo and lack of balance
•Severe weight loss



Medical bills were piling up, and no one seemed able or willing to help. There were even suggestions that she should just exercise and seek psychiatric help. (A fairly typical response to women who have syndromes that are difficult to diagnose.)

Jessica desperately needed help. After one of her doctors contacted a colleague at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ, Jessica was accepted into the care of Dr. Bendok, head of Neurosurgery. This out-of-network care was badly needed, but bills, travel expenses, and loss of wages were taking their toll.

Then COVID 19 started working its ugly magic. Businesses began cutting back, lowering wages, and laying off staff. Jessica’s husband, Tad, was no exception. He was offered a 30% wage cut or a layoff from his job as General Manager of a private golf club.

Their daughters were studying at home with remote learning and worrying more and more about their mother. Schooling her daughters while in intractable pain became impossible, and Jessica and Tad made the difficult decision to send the girls to their grandmothers on the mainland so Jessica could focus on getting well, and the girls could focus on school and being kids.


Now, Jessica and her family are losing their house, moving to Arizona to be closer to Jessica’s doctors and family, and struggling to make ends meet. They have had to take out two personal loans and face bankruptcy if things don’t turn around fast.

Though the Mayo Clinic has made several diagnoses, treatment is ongoing, and my sister’s medical bills are nearing $100,000.

How can that happen in one of the wealthiest countries on earth? Should anyone lose their home, income, or life because they lose their health? Should anyone be denied proper health care? Should anyone suffer because they have worked hard to be financially stable —too stable to qualify for assistance with medical bills? No! And we can do our part right now to make a small change for one person. Contribute what you can to my sister… then go out and vote for a system that takes everyone’s health and well-being into consideration!