Rally For Rich & Judy Fogal

It's been said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." And anyone who knows our parents, Rich & Judy Fogal, knows that they've made quite a life—because they have given so much throughout their years. But all too often life deals out harshly and the struggle gets real. And overcoming these struggles raises the value of life so much higher. And our parent’s faithful relationship with God throughout the years has multiplied that value as their faith has guided them through every season of their lives. 

Life has thrown its share of hard times at our parents. Judy has struggled for years with MS and just this past May, Rich was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. After four rounds of chemo this summer, he’s responded extremely well to the treatment, and for now his blood levels are down. He now begins the next battle, and the most difficult one (for them both). 

Rich will receive a bone marrow transplant this month along with one final (and most intense) round of chemotherapy—dragging his immune system down to nearly zero before they then transplant his harvested stem cells back into his bone marrow. He will spend at least 3 weeks in the hospital at Hershey Medical Center. In the following months he will slowly rebuild his immune system, much like starting from birth. 

Our concerns in addition to his prognosis are for Judy's care while Rich is in the hospital and recovering. Of course he has been her faithful caregiver throughout these many years, and after considering the options they have decided it best for her to live at Providence Place in Chambersburg during this process. She'll keep her independence while receiving 24/7 care from staff who are trained and equipped for it. Providence Place is a beautiful community that we as family and friends will be able to visit during this time even though we cannot visit Rich due to his low immune system. 

Here is our campaign call for Rich & Judy…

The cost of medical bills beyond their health coverage and the cost of Judy's care has been and will continue in the short-term to be overwhelming. Judy's care will be very costly while Rich is in the hospital and recovering after the transplant. 

Treatment so far has cost them much more than anticipated. Additional costs will add up through this next and most expensive part of Rich's treatment--the transplant, medications, hospital stay, and recovery. While their insurance covers some of these costs, the out-of-pocket expenses are quite large.  

The two most generous people that we know have been hit hard. They are the kind of people who'd do anything for anyone. Therefore, we would like to provide this opportunity to "Rally with Rich and Judy Fogal" through a tangible expression of our love and support. We want to express a huge thank you, for being a part of their lives and for your support throughout this battle.

All funds donated will go to pay for Rich and Judy's medical expenses now and into the future. We also ask that you would pray for our parents--for healing, for strength, for peace of mind, for their time apart from each other, and for the recovery stages. 

Feel free to leave a comment and share your love with them--we'll be sure to send them your messages and we know they'll be blessed by your support, encouragement, and love. 

We look forward to updating you all and to the day that Rich is cancer-free and they have moved past this season of their lives! Thank you again!

Team Fogal
Dave, Carrie, Rich, Ashley & Families