Freeby Family Medical Expenses
Donation protected
You may have heard about Mary Freeby, the Holy Cross College senior and St. Joseph High School alum who was recently diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening bone marrow disease. On October 26th, 2017, she will travel to Cincinnati to undergo a difficult and painful bone marrow transplant and then remain there for an additional 2 months to recover.
I'm a friend of the Freeby's and have been through two similar procedures myself. So I am uniquely qualified to tell you that it is physically, mentally, and emotionally brutal, both for the patient and for the patient's loved ones. Sorry if that sounds negative, but it is the truth. In addition to the emotional and physical toll, Mary's family will face serious financial stress due to all this. Diane, Mary's mom, must take a leave of absence from her job for 4 months to be with Mary during this time. The loss of nearly 1/3 of Diane's annual income will be devastating.
From experience I can tell you that this will cost the Freeby's much more than just their insurance deductibles. Cincinnati is over 500 miles away round trip. Chuck (Mary's father who works three jobs) expects to make the trips many times. Gas, coffee to stay awake, food on the road, tolls, and wear and tear on their vehicles will add up quickly. In addition, Diane will be living out of a suitcase for 4 months. Until you've been through this, it's hard to appreciate how easily you can find yourself in some major debt.
With 6 kids, the Freeby's are already scraping and clawing to make ends meet. Their awesome son, Chris, has himself experienced significant medical issues which has depleted their family finances. Team Freeby URGENTLY needs at least $20,000 to get them through this dark and difficult period. I urge everyone to help lift the financial hardship from this family. In life or death situations like this, they do not need financial problems to deal with.
We can help them. We need large gifts, but few people can give them. So remember, many SMALL gifts add up quickly, build momentum and provide encouragement. They need this money ASAP. Please give generously and "Like" and "Share" on social media.
Thank you!
**********************************************************
If you are able to make a large gift and are interested in receiving tax benefits, we have found a 501(c)3 charity that will take your gift and designate it for the Freeby's. For more information please contact me.
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EDIT: I've been asked by the good folks at gofundme to add this additional information.
Who you are: I am Robert Kloska, ND Class of '90, Notre Dame FCU, and friend of the Freeby's. My aliases include "Bob" because all Robert's are predestined to be called "Bob" Another is "BK" for people who wish to avoid using the word "Bob" because it sounds too boring. Another is "Bobby" for people who knew me when I was in school or people who know my wife or siblings because they don't ever refer to me as anything except "Bobby". Finally, "Bobum" (pronounced BO-BUM) for people who used to study and translate Latin with me. Unfortunately, most of them are now either dead or they have completely forgotten their Latin.
Where you're from: Like Chuck, I am from Elkhart, Indiana, but now reside in South Bend.
Your relationship to the parties you're raising funds for: Friend. I'm a 3-time cancer survivor. Chuck helped my family 10 years ago when it was questionable whether I was going to live or die. Time to return the favor.
How the funds will be used (be specific as possible): To cover any and all Freeby family expenses. Things like medical bills, mortgage, car payments, kids tuition, ice cream, travel expenses, etc. No restrictions. If you know the Freeby's, you know that they won't be running off to Vegas with it.
If you intend to withdraw the money, how you plan to send the funds to the parties you're raising money for or use the money on their behalf: I intend to meet Chuck at an undisclosed local watering hole and hand him a check while drinking a cold beer, probably a specialty bourbon beer or ale since we've done that before. I will probably offer to buy both beers because that will make me feel like a big man and then Chuck will probably say something like, "You've just handed me a nice check, I think I'd like to buy your beer." Then I will probably mount a half-hearted objection to this before succumbing to his generosity. But don't anybody worry!Having already anticipated this scenario, my wife and I have contributed to this compaign in an amount that exceeds all the beer Chuck and I could possibly drink together in one sitting. So rest assured, donors, none of you will be paying for Chuck to pay for my beer. We've already got that covered.
I'm a friend of the Freeby's and have been through two similar procedures myself. So I am uniquely qualified to tell you that it is physically, mentally, and emotionally brutal, both for the patient and for the patient's loved ones. Sorry if that sounds negative, but it is the truth. In addition to the emotional and physical toll, Mary's family will face serious financial stress due to all this. Diane, Mary's mom, must take a leave of absence from her job for 4 months to be with Mary during this time. The loss of nearly 1/3 of Diane's annual income will be devastating.
From experience I can tell you that this will cost the Freeby's much more than just their insurance deductibles. Cincinnati is over 500 miles away round trip. Chuck (Mary's father who works three jobs) expects to make the trips many times. Gas, coffee to stay awake, food on the road, tolls, and wear and tear on their vehicles will add up quickly. In addition, Diane will be living out of a suitcase for 4 months. Until you've been through this, it's hard to appreciate how easily you can find yourself in some major debt.
With 6 kids, the Freeby's are already scraping and clawing to make ends meet. Their awesome son, Chris, has himself experienced significant medical issues which has depleted their family finances. Team Freeby URGENTLY needs at least $20,000 to get them through this dark and difficult period. I urge everyone to help lift the financial hardship from this family. In life or death situations like this, they do not need financial problems to deal with.
We can help them. We need large gifts, but few people can give them. So remember, many SMALL gifts add up quickly, build momentum and provide encouragement. They need this money ASAP. Please give generously and "Like" and "Share" on social media.
Thank you!
**********************************************************
If you are able to make a large gift and are interested in receiving tax benefits, we have found a 501(c)3 charity that will take your gift and designate it for the Freeby's. For more information please contact me.
**********************************************************
EDIT: I've been asked by the good folks at gofundme to add this additional information.
Who you are: I am Robert Kloska, ND Class of '90, Notre Dame FCU, and friend of the Freeby's. My aliases include "Bob" because all Robert's are predestined to be called "Bob" Another is "BK" for people who wish to avoid using the word "Bob" because it sounds too boring. Another is "Bobby" for people who knew me when I was in school or people who know my wife or siblings because they don't ever refer to me as anything except "Bobby". Finally, "Bobum" (pronounced BO-BUM) for people who used to study and translate Latin with me. Unfortunately, most of them are now either dead or they have completely forgotten their Latin.
Where you're from: Like Chuck, I am from Elkhart, Indiana, but now reside in South Bend.
Your relationship to the parties you're raising funds for: Friend. I'm a 3-time cancer survivor. Chuck helped my family 10 years ago when it was questionable whether I was going to live or die. Time to return the favor.
How the funds will be used (be specific as possible): To cover any and all Freeby family expenses. Things like medical bills, mortgage, car payments, kids tuition, ice cream, travel expenses, etc. No restrictions. If you know the Freeby's, you know that they won't be running off to Vegas with it.
If you intend to withdraw the money, how you plan to send the funds to the parties you're raising money for or use the money on their behalf: I intend to meet Chuck at an undisclosed local watering hole and hand him a check while drinking a cold beer, probably a specialty bourbon beer or ale since we've done that before. I will probably offer to buy both beers because that will make me feel like a big man and then Chuck will probably say something like, "You've just handed me a nice check, I think I'd like to buy your beer." Then I will probably mount a half-hearted objection to this before succumbing to his generosity. But don't anybody worry!Having already anticipated this scenario, my wife and I have contributed to this compaign in an amount that exceeds all the beer Chuck and I could possibly drink together in one sitting. So rest assured, donors, none of you will be paying for Chuck to pay for my beer. We've already got that covered.
Organizer
Robert Kloska
Organizer
Notre Dame, IN
