Pat's Medical Fund

On February 4th, Pat Roberts had a bad headache and soon lost his balance. He was found by one of his sons and who immediately called 911. When paramedics arrived they thought he had a stroke. But while he was in the hospital, he had several micro-strokes and a heart attack. What worried the doctors most is that they could not get his blood pressure under control. One of the doctors noticed some red marks on his skin, and realized quickly Pat needed to have a bone marrow biopsy. The results that came back were not good. They discovered he had a bone marrow disorder called Polycythemia vera. Polycythemia vera is a treatable, but not curable, disease. Pat was in hospital for a total of 11 days, and the bone marrow biopsy was the biggest cost in this hospital stay... coming in at $60,000. There are many other costs associated with his visit, but we haven’t received the full bill and breakdown yet.

Here's a little bit more about Pat and his family: Linda and Pat Roberts had two boys Sam (30) and Chris (31). Unfortunately, Pat’s wife Linda died in 1997 at the age of 35 due to heart failure, and Pat has been on his own to take care of the boys ever since. Linda was born with the disease Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that disturbs cell growth in your nervous system, causing tumors to form on nerve tissue. Sadly, both of kids have inherited NF. They have had many, many other health issues and disabilities over the years. Their disabilities prevent them from holding full-time jobs. But despite these enormous challenges, the family has placed priority on not reflecting on their own hardships, but focusing their support on others by giving back in their church and community. Chris has volunteered more than 10,000 hours since he was 13 at the senior home in his community. Sam raises money for the American Cancer Walk for Life, and the Heart walk. He's done both of these walks eight times. Pat designs and makes Christmas trees to auction off for the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Festival of the Trees.

This family has done so much for their community and now they need our help. Pat's healthcare was not scheduled to kick in until months after the incident. Right now, he's left wondering if he will have to sell his house in order to pay the hospital bills. Any amount of love and support would help. This is a family who has always shown love and support to others. Can you show support to them?

Thank you very much!