Russ Bricker Relief
Donation protected
A Helping Hand for our Friend, Russ
Thirty plus years ago, I met Russ Bricker. He is a big, gregarious guy, with a kind heart. As our life paths diverged, we were both committed to maintaining our friendship. Over the years, we both navigated key life pursuits: marriages and parenting; and also experienced serious health concerns: cancer, neuropathy and renal failure. IT (did I mention we met at a company called IT?) is not by accident that Russ and I have stong bond.
With a Hurricane approaching the US, I worried about my friend. Then Hurricane came ashore and devastated the Lake Charles, LA surrounding area, and my dear friend, Russ, heeded the warning and evacuated his home. With the help of his sister, Sharon, an RN, he packed his wheelchair, other necessary medical supplies and a few personal belongs into his car, then headed northwest to the relative safety of central LA, not knowing what he was leaving behind. After a couple days, he learned that his house was heavily damaged by Hurricane Laura, and that he would not be able to return to his home in it’s current condition.
Surviving and looking to the future are a few of Russ’ many qualities. Early this year, Russ had to go to Houston TX for a plasmaferious treatment, for his Chronic Inflammatory Demylinating Polyneuropathy, a condition that has forced him into a wheelchair. During the treatment, Russ experienced a ruptured
stomach ulcer, thus requiring emergency surgery, which put too much strain on his kidneys. After recovering from his surgery and coming out of his medically induced coma, he learned he now requires kidney dialysis 3 days a week, 4 hours each session, and is now in end-stage renal failure. Not wanting to be a burden to friends and family, Russ kept his personal struggles to himself until his condition was finally disclosed months later.
Through everything, with the support of friends and family, Russ continues to remain upbeat as he undergoes his dialysis, then heads “home” to the unfamiliar surroundings of a hotel room to recover from his procedure, all while maintaining an optimistic outlook. We are all dealing with numerous challenges that 2020 has thrown to us. Russ has dealt with his fair share of challenges. Please consider a donation to help offset Russ’ medical costs and to rebuild his home, which is much more than just a structure.
Thirty plus years ago, I met Russ Bricker. He is a big, gregarious guy, with a kind heart. As our life paths diverged, we were both committed to maintaining our friendship. Over the years, we both navigated key life pursuits: marriages and parenting; and also experienced serious health concerns: cancer, neuropathy and renal failure. IT (did I mention we met at a company called IT?) is not by accident that Russ and I have stong bond.
With a Hurricane approaching the US, I worried about my friend. Then Hurricane came ashore and devastated the Lake Charles, LA surrounding area, and my dear friend, Russ, heeded the warning and evacuated his home. With the help of his sister, Sharon, an RN, he packed his wheelchair, other necessary medical supplies and a few personal belongs into his car, then headed northwest to the relative safety of central LA, not knowing what he was leaving behind. After a couple days, he learned that his house was heavily damaged by Hurricane Laura, and that he would not be able to return to his home in it’s current condition.
Surviving and looking to the future are a few of Russ’ many qualities. Early this year, Russ had to go to Houston TX for a plasmaferious treatment, for his Chronic Inflammatory Demylinating Polyneuropathy, a condition that has forced him into a wheelchair. During the treatment, Russ experienced a ruptured
stomach ulcer, thus requiring emergency surgery, which put too much strain on his kidneys. After recovering from his surgery and coming out of his medically induced coma, he learned he now requires kidney dialysis 3 days a week, 4 hours each session, and is now in end-stage renal failure. Not wanting to be a burden to friends and family, Russ kept his personal struggles to himself until his condition was finally disclosed months later.
Through everything, with the support of friends and family, Russ continues to remain upbeat as he undergoes his dialysis, then heads “home” to the unfamiliar surroundings of a hotel room to recover from his procedure, all while maintaining an optimistic outlook. We are all dealing with numerous challenges that 2020 has thrown to us. Russ has dealt with his fair share of challenges. Please consider a donation to help offset Russ’ medical costs and to rebuild his home, which is much more than just a structure.
Organiser and beneficiary
Karen McCracken
Organiser
Concord, CA
Russell Bricker
Beneficiary