Rita Haik's Medical Fund

Rita Israel Haik is not a stranger to challenges.  Just before Rita’s eighteenth birthday, her mother, Ruth Pinkston Israel, succumbed after a long battle with heart disease.  But Rita faced this obstacle and managed to graduate from St. Aloysius High School in the Class of 1985, and the University of Southern Mississippi with the encouragement of her husband, her dad, and her siblings.  For many years Rita was an English teacher and drama coach at St. Jean Vianney Catholic School.  At SJV she was known as a teacher who put the students first.  Rita found their strengths and helped them to grow by tapping into those qualities.  She later earned a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and moved into administration at The Runnels School in Baton Rouge, serving as junior/senior high vice-principal.  Once again her work was student centered as she sought ways for students to experience personal success.  Rita touched every part of the child through academics, discipline, and motivation.  She treated students as she would treat her own children, pushing them to find the answers to the hurdles in their lives no matter how high those hurdles seemed.



Now Rita faces an insurmountable hurdle of her own. On July 1, 2019, at the age of 52, she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive cancer that accounts for 52 percent of all primary brain tumors. Before this diagnosis Rita was feeling fatigued, had a little trouble with balance and had visited her eye doctor because the new lights in her office seemed to bother her - Nothing that would indicate a serious medical condition.  While visiting her family in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Rita fell several times which eventually led her to Ochsner’s in New Orleans.  There after several scans, a biopsy, and a stent placement, it was determined she had a brain tumor.  Because Rita’s tumor is attached to her brain stem and is growing into the middle of the brain, it is inoperable. The side effects which include significant partial paralysis as well as difficulty in speaking and swallowing, have created a need for skilled care that cannot be met by her husband Brad and two daughters Sarah (SJV Class of 2010; St. Joseph’s Academy Class of 2014) and Sophie (SJV Class of 2014; St. Joseph’s Academy Class of 2018). This need has become even more dramatic as Sarah and Sophie have returned to the University of Louisiana Lafayette, and Brad must handle Rita’s mounting care needs alone.



As you are no doubt aware, medical costs seem to skyrocket each month with many medical necessities now deemed “out of pocket expenses.”  These increasing expenses have motivated this request for help. Someone like Rita who has given so much of herself to secure a successful future for students certainly is deserving of adequate care while facing such a diagnosis.  And so we ask for your help to cover the cost of Rita’s care as well as some household expenses as Brad is unable to work due to the demands of Rita’s care as well as severely diminished eyesight.   It is not always easy to ask for help.  But Brad and Rita have a wonderful community of friends from school as well as from church and church organizations.  Many, many of these friends are so close they are considered family.  Her extended family is also blessed with special, caring friends. We are confident that the help Rita needs will be met.

Currently we have only one option available for donations.  That option is through this Go Fund Me page which will accept online or credit card payments.  Any amount will help, and we are very appreciative of your contribution.  If you are not in a position to donate at this time, we greatly value any prayers offered on Rita’s behalf.  Also, we ask that you share this page with others to help us reach anyone who might help.