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Our son Dave Blasingame is in his second year of a cancer battle. He was diagnosed with prostrate cancer that metastasized to the spine causing a spinal tumor. He was managing his cancer pretty well until earlier this year when his employer decided he had missed too much work and asked him to go on part time. With monthly infusions and Dr. visits constantly, he agreed to take some time off using the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). That hurt him financially; medical costs and monthly bills were rising. At the time he was able to continuing paying his monthly payment to his work to keep his group insurance plan with Kaiser.
Soon after Dave was accepted into a cancer trial study as a patient of Kaiser with his work insurance covering some of the costs. His responsibility with the trial was to continue with Kaiser coverage, an absolute must, and to pay all out of pocket costs for medicine and procedures. Because of the cancer, the medicine side effects, and effort of compliance with all the tests, he soon found he was unable to work at all. He applied for disability and left work hoping to return by the end of the year. All Doctors encouraged this, feeling he needed some time to get his strength back.
Recently the FMLA program ran out and on June 13th he received a letter from his employer stating they were canceling his medical coverage through Kaiser as of August 30. Dave was given a few options to continue coverage of some sort and pay for that himself.
Since the cancer study is based on him being a Kaiser patient he must start another insurance plan by 9-1-15. Dave’s sister and I have been working hard to weave our way through the ACA plans to find the best affordable one that will cover the many required (bimonthly) scans and procedures he participates in. The costs of the medicines he takes daily are in the thousands, considered as specialty medicines, will not be covered by the new insurance. Another problem is that the low cost coverage he had from his employer is now a thing of the past. The trial medicines have stabilized his bone cancer, all reasons to continue being a Kaiser patient on the trial.
We have now made the decision to come to this Go Fund Me program to ask for a little help for Dave, the stress of the financial problems are getting to him. So we thought this might be a way to help him. Only if you are comfortable donating a gift, whether it is a wish or a prayer for his well being or a financial gift if you are able, it will be very much appreciated.
The Blasingame Family