NaterAid '18: Make Nate Great Again
Donation protected
CALLING ALL ANGELS.
If you have ever met Nate Phillips, you know that angels walk the earth- and definitely with a sense of humor.
I first met Nate when he was a barista at Espresso World in Tri-Cities, WA, where he grew up. He was my favorite server there, not only because he suggested new drinks, but he always took his time to talk as long as I wanted to. I was new to the city and knew absolutely no one- it made a huge difference in my life. Little did I know that that was only the first time I could lean on him.
Shortly after meeting Nate, I fell in love with his brother (hey, it's a great family- what can I say?!) and always enjoyed spending time with Nate. He was hilarious, offbeat and irrepressibly kind. To me, and to everyone he met. Not to mention totally relaxed in every situation, whether it was running the music for hula, making coffee or fixing endless computer problems.
He would endlessly try to explain how to identify the tail configurations of the jets in the Air Force that he fueled in his time in Italy and Idaho, showing patience when I got confused and asked a 100 times the difference between and F-23 and F-18.
In 2007, my little brother became paralyzed in a boating accident on the Columbia. Our entire world changed in an instant. It was crushing, shocking and completely earthshaking.
We needed a full time caregiver who could roll with the punches but still be responsible enough to entrust someone's life to.
I thought of Nater- gentle, kind, and trustworthy. And cool enough to hang out with my brother, who was still a rockstar motocross guy who loved girls, travel and fun.
We asked. He accepted.
There are no words that can accurately describe a person who gives from their soul to selflessly help another person in pain.
My favorite memory of Nate is him piggy backing my brother up and down stairs in the Beaverton house like Skywalker carrying Yoda in Dagoba (only I think it was a little more the other way around). Because it kind of was that type of magic. To make a really hard ordeal for someone much more accessible and livable (so they could live with a cool couple in a regular house with kids and dogs and family).
I never worried they would fall, because Nate would throw himself down first.
He gave us peace. He gave us humor. He gave us years that he could have been doing things for himself.
Instead, he helped a family heal.
He eventually followed his calling in 2010 to obtain a degree at Full Sail University in Florida, where he graduated in 2012 as valedictorian and began his teaching career as a Studio Artist in 3D animation at his alma mater.
By all reports, he has loved every minute of it.
But now, Nate is doing his own healing.
In October, 2017, Nate was diagnosed with a rare disease called Al Amyloidosis, "AL amyloidosis is caused by a bone marrow disorder. The bone marrow in the center of bones produces cells in the blood system, including “plasma cells.” In AL patients, these plasma cells produce an abnormal antibody (immunoglobulin) protein... amyloid proteins are deposited in and around tissues, nerves and organs. As the amyloid builds up in an organ, nerve or tissue, it gradually causes damage and affects their function. Each amyloidosis patient has a different pattern of amyloid deposition in their body. It often affects more than one organ. AL amyloidosis does not affect the brain."
Nate underwent 3 months of weekly chemotherapy in preparation for autologous stem cell transplant (uses his own cells instead of donor) which he was admitted for on the 5th of June, 2018.
Despite positive early reports, Nate was readmitted to the bone marrow transplant unit on July 8, 2018 after complications. He just spent a night in ICU for very low blood pressure and a fever. This disease causes relentless fatigue as the proteins leave deposits that hinder regular function, in his case effecting the kidneys and heart. He will be unable to work for at least 4 months as his body rebuilds his immune system.
We, his friends, are running this fundraiser to cover Nate's out of pocket costs that he isn't able to cover while he has been sick and recovering. His out of pocket each year is $2,000 and we want to raise enough to pay off 2017 and 2018 (which he has already met) so he can recover peaceably. A $2000 out of pocket max is incredible for health insurance, but it takes its toll when you’re out of work. He is on Family Medical Leave Act from the university, where they will pay 60% of his wages for his time out (4 months) so that is a blessing, but it's not enough to cover the medical bills. There are no military benefits as of yet - he is working to get them, but the government is slow deciding on his case. Amyloidosis does not have a cure, only a treatment. The stem cell transplant was the primary treatment, but he will require a lifetime of maintenance treatments including chemotherapy and pill medications.
While the damage from the disease has left long-lasting impact on his heart and lungs, he should, with continued maintenance treatments, live a healthy life. He may just have to slow down a bit. Most people who are diagnosed with amyloidosis are much older, which makes treatment much more difficult on the body - he is young and strong which makes his prognosis much better.
However, his heart will never pump at 100% again and require lifelong maintenance.
Please take a moment to honor this beautiful soul and support this fundraiser. Any donation is heartfelt by all who love and appreciate this great guy. Thank you so much!
Update: I wanted to clarify something that may be confusing to some who don't know Nate's situation very well. Christopher Pabor is Nate's roommate and it looks like he is listed as the beneficiary for this campaign. However, it is only because Chris set up a bank account, specifically for this campaign, in order to assist with paying off some of Nates bills. Nate has a lot of things that are more important to take care of right now, so Chris has offered to help him out in this way. Every donation is going towards Nate's medical bills. I just wanted to clarify for those who may be wondering.
If you have ever met Nate Phillips, you know that angels walk the earth- and definitely with a sense of humor.
I first met Nate when he was a barista at Espresso World in Tri-Cities, WA, where he grew up. He was my favorite server there, not only because he suggested new drinks, but he always took his time to talk as long as I wanted to. I was new to the city and knew absolutely no one- it made a huge difference in my life. Little did I know that that was only the first time I could lean on him.
Shortly after meeting Nate, I fell in love with his brother (hey, it's a great family- what can I say?!) and always enjoyed spending time with Nate. He was hilarious, offbeat and irrepressibly kind. To me, and to everyone he met. Not to mention totally relaxed in every situation, whether it was running the music for hula, making coffee or fixing endless computer problems.
He would endlessly try to explain how to identify the tail configurations of the jets in the Air Force that he fueled in his time in Italy and Idaho, showing patience when I got confused and asked a 100 times the difference between and F-23 and F-18.
In 2007, my little brother became paralyzed in a boating accident on the Columbia. Our entire world changed in an instant. It was crushing, shocking and completely earthshaking.
We needed a full time caregiver who could roll with the punches but still be responsible enough to entrust someone's life to.
I thought of Nater- gentle, kind, and trustworthy. And cool enough to hang out with my brother, who was still a rockstar motocross guy who loved girls, travel and fun.
We asked. He accepted.
There are no words that can accurately describe a person who gives from their soul to selflessly help another person in pain.
My favorite memory of Nate is him piggy backing my brother up and down stairs in the Beaverton house like Skywalker carrying Yoda in Dagoba (only I think it was a little more the other way around). Because it kind of was that type of magic. To make a really hard ordeal for someone much more accessible and livable (so they could live with a cool couple in a regular house with kids and dogs and family).
I never worried they would fall, because Nate would throw himself down first.
He gave us peace. He gave us humor. He gave us years that he could have been doing things for himself.
Instead, he helped a family heal.
He eventually followed his calling in 2010 to obtain a degree at Full Sail University in Florida, where he graduated in 2012 as valedictorian and began his teaching career as a Studio Artist in 3D animation at his alma mater.
By all reports, he has loved every minute of it.
But now, Nate is doing his own healing.
In October, 2017, Nate was diagnosed with a rare disease called Al Amyloidosis, "AL amyloidosis is caused by a bone marrow disorder. The bone marrow in the center of bones produces cells in the blood system, including “plasma cells.” In AL patients, these plasma cells produce an abnormal antibody (immunoglobulin) protein... amyloid proteins are deposited in and around tissues, nerves and organs. As the amyloid builds up in an organ, nerve or tissue, it gradually causes damage and affects their function. Each amyloidosis patient has a different pattern of amyloid deposition in their body. It often affects more than one organ. AL amyloidosis does not affect the brain."
Nate underwent 3 months of weekly chemotherapy in preparation for autologous stem cell transplant (uses his own cells instead of donor) which he was admitted for on the 5th of June, 2018.
Despite positive early reports, Nate was readmitted to the bone marrow transplant unit on July 8, 2018 after complications. He just spent a night in ICU for very low blood pressure and a fever. This disease causes relentless fatigue as the proteins leave deposits that hinder regular function, in his case effecting the kidneys and heart. He will be unable to work for at least 4 months as his body rebuilds his immune system.
We, his friends, are running this fundraiser to cover Nate's out of pocket costs that he isn't able to cover while he has been sick and recovering. His out of pocket each year is $2,000 and we want to raise enough to pay off 2017 and 2018 (which he has already met) so he can recover peaceably. A $2000 out of pocket max is incredible for health insurance, but it takes its toll when you’re out of work. He is on Family Medical Leave Act from the university, where they will pay 60% of his wages for his time out (4 months) so that is a blessing, but it's not enough to cover the medical bills. There are no military benefits as of yet - he is working to get them, but the government is slow deciding on his case. Amyloidosis does not have a cure, only a treatment. The stem cell transplant was the primary treatment, but he will require a lifetime of maintenance treatments including chemotherapy and pill medications.
While the damage from the disease has left long-lasting impact on his heart and lungs, he should, with continued maintenance treatments, live a healthy life. He may just have to slow down a bit. Most people who are diagnosed with amyloidosis are much older, which makes treatment much more difficult on the body - he is young and strong which makes his prognosis much better.
However, his heart will never pump at 100% again and require lifelong maintenance.
Please take a moment to honor this beautiful soul and support this fundraiser. Any donation is heartfelt by all who love and appreciate this great guy. Thank you so much!
Update: I wanted to clarify something that may be confusing to some who don't know Nate's situation very well. Christopher Pabor is Nate's roommate and it looks like he is listed as the beneficiary for this campaign. However, it is only because Chris set up a bank account, specifically for this campaign, in order to assist with paying off some of Nates bills. Nate has a lot of things that are more important to take care of right now, so Chris has offered to help him out in this way. Every donation is going towards Nate's medical bills. I just wanted to clarify for those who may be wondering.
Co-organizers (3)
Lauren Patton
Organizer
Winter Park, FL
Christopher Pabor
Beneficiary
Danielle Fournier
Co-organizer
Nate Phillips
Co-organizer