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One in a Million
Hello, meet Ronnie. He is 46 and has been given just a few months to live. Ronnie was diagnosed less than six weeks ago with an extremely rare and aggressive disease, anaplastic thyroid cancer . Researchers aren't sure what causes this type of cancer and there is no cure. ATC is so rare that only about 600 people in the United States are diagnosed each year, making the odds of getting this disease 1 in a million (information found at this link, under the heading " Why Is Most ATC Diagnosed In a Late Stage"). This disease came out of nowhere, with no warning signs. This is always the case with ATC, it presents like a mugger in the night, jumping the person from behind. No one saw this surprise attack coming, and it is devastating to him, his family and friends. The doctors who have been treating him locally are wonderful but ATC is so rare, this disease has confounded everyone. The options available are limited and none offer a cure. Cause of death from this disease is horrific, a link has been provided above for more information.
Ronnie needs your Help
Given the grim prognosis, Ronnie is searching for any possible help with his condition, including a second opinion. The goal of this fundraiser is to raise enough money to consult with The Clayman Thyroid Surgery and Thyroid Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Ronnie does not have insurance that would cover this, and the consultation fee alone is $2000. Dr. Gary Clayman is a highly specialized thyroid surgeon with patients from all 50 states and other countries. His surgical practice is located on a dedicated floor of Tampa General Hospital. Ronnie urgently needs the funds so he can arrange the consultation immediately.
Update August 11
Today we reached the original goal of $2000 for the consultation fee. I submitted Ronnie's information to Dr. Clayman and the doctor has already reached out to us. The situation is definitely a medical emergency. Dr. Clayman is willing to see Ronnie right away, but the hospital requires payment up front for a non-insured, out of state patient. I do not have any figures for the surgery amount until I speak to someone at the hospital Monday (August 13). I am continuing the campaign to raise as much as possible to go towards transportation and surgery. I will update again as soon as I know more.
Update August 15
Ronnie was able to have the phone consult with Dr. Clayman this week, thanks to all the kind people who shared this page and donated. As mentioned, Ronnie was charged $2000 for this consult. It was a last effort to find someone who could eradicate this disease from his body. Unfortunately, after reviewing Ronnie's records, Dr. Clayman stated that this surgery would not save his life, and that once he saw him in person he may determine that he could not perform the surgery at all. Additionally, he would have to pay for the surgery up front, in full, before Dr. Clayman could operate. The cost for the surgery and hospital charges quoted to him were tremendous. After considering all this, Ronnie realizes it is not feasible or to much avail to go forward with pursuing surgery with this doctor. He has instead elected to continue his care with a local surgeon who is graciously donating his time and services. The surgery to be performed here will be different than what the specialist in Florida potentially could have done, and that is why we pursued this option. Ronnie will be having this surgery very soon, the objective being to open his airway, as it is closing more by the day. We appreciate all of our kind friends who shared this post and donated, enabling Ronnie to get one more opinion, to know that every possible option was being explored. Any funds above the $2000 consultation fee will now be used towards monthly bills, medicine and aftercare. Thanks again, words can not express how grateful we are for everyone's kind words and support.
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read Ronnie's story and about his condition. If you are able to help with a donation of any size, please know he is grateful to you. If not, please believe in a miracle for Ronnie. Miracles happen every day. Thank you.
Hello, meet Ronnie. He is 46 and has been given just a few months to live. Ronnie was diagnosed less than six weeks ago with an extremely rare and aggressive disease, anaplastic thyroid cancer . Researchers aren't sure what causes this type of cancer and there is no cure. ATC is so rare that only about 600 people in the United States are diagnosed each year, making the odds of getting this disease 1 in a million (information found at this link, under the heading " Why Is Most ATC Diagnosed In a Late Stage"). This disease came out of nowhere, with no warning signs. This is always the case with ATC, it presents like a mugger in the night, jumping the person from behind. No one saw this surprise attack coming, and it is devastating to him, his family and friends. The doctors who have been treating him locally are wonderful but ATC is so rare, this disease has confounded everyone. The options available are limited and none offer a cure. Cause of death from this disease is horrific, a link has been provided above for more information.
Ronnie needs your Help
Given the grim prognosis, Ronnie is searching for any possible help with his condition, including a second opinion. The goal of this fundraiser is to raise enough money to consult with The Clayman Thyroid Surgery and Thyroid Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Ronnie does not have insurance that would cover this, and the consultation fee alone is $2000. Dr. Gary Clayman is a highly specialized thyroid surgeon with patients from all 50 states and other countries. His surgical practice is located on a dedicated floor of Tampa General Hospital. Ronnie urgently needs the funds so he can arrange the consultation immediately.
Update August 11
Today we reached the original goal of $2000 for the consultation fee. I submitted Ronnie's information to Dr. Clayman and the doctor has already reached out to us. The situation is definitely a medical emergency. Dr. Clayman is willing to see Ronnie right away, but the hospital requires payment up front for a non-insured, out of state patient. I do not have any figures for the surgery amount until I speak to someone at the hospital Monday (August 13). I am continuing the campaign to raise as much as possible to go towards transportation and surgery. I will update again as soon as I know more.
Update August 15
Ronnie was able to have the phone consult with Dr. Clayman this week, thanks to all the kind people who shared this page and donated. As mentioned, Ronnie was charged $2000 for this consult. It was a last effort to find someone who could eradicate this disease from his body. Unfortunately, after reviewing Ronnie's records, Dr. Clayman stated that this surgery would not save his life, and that once he saw him in person he may determine that he could not perform the surgery at all. Additionally, he would have to pay for the surgery up front, in full, before Dr. Clayman could operate. The cost for the surgery and hospital charges quoted to him were tremendous. After considering all this, Ronnie realizes it is not feasible or to much avail to go forward with pursuing surgery with this doctor. He has instead elected to continue his care with a local surgeon who is graciously donating his time and services. The surgery to be performed here will be different than what the specialist in Florida potentially could have done, and that is why we pursued this option. Ronnie will be having this surgery very soon, the objective being to open his airway, as it is closing more by the day. We appreciate all of our kind friends who shared this post and donated, enabling Ronnie to get one more opinion, to know that every possible option was being explored. Any funds above the $2000 consultation fee will now be used towards monthly bills, medicine and aftercare. Thanks again, words can not express how grateful we are for everyone's kind words and support.
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read Ronnie's story and about his condition. If you are able to help with a donation of any size, please know he is grateful to you. If not, please believe in a miracle for Ronnie. Miracles happen every day. Thank you.