Sam and Lee – recent developments, and urgent assistance needed

As many of you know, Sam Burger’s husband, Lee Lopes, has been battling cancer while living and working full-time in Florida. Sam spent the winter working in Wellington, FL and planned to spend the summer travelling extensively for work, teaching and course designing. Very recently, however, tests showed that Lee’s cancer has metastasized to his spine and brain, and Sam has returned to Florida to be with him.

His doctors have placed Lee in hospice care, and will be starting him on another round of radiation to reduce the tumors and improve his quality of life.

In addition to the debilitating physical and emotional tolls this is taking, there is also the very real and urgent financial crisis that this creates. Health insurance for both is dependent on Lee’s job. Lee is unable to work at this time and his ability to work in the near future is unlikely. If necessary, they will keep their insurance through COBRA but will have to pay the full premium themselves. With only Sam’s income, which will be extremely limited as she is and will be taking care of Lee, they need substantial financial assistance, both to pay for the insurance and for everyday living expenses.

Sam has been a giving and supportive friend to many of us over the years, and a huge part of the Grazing Fields family from the beginning. She has always been there to help both personally and professionally not only within the GFF community, but also with riders, trainers, and equine professionals throughout New England.

Sam and Lee need our help now. Please give what you can to help them through this very difficult time, and encourage others to do the same.

On behalf of the entire Grazing Fields Farm family, we thank you for helping our very dear friends Sam and Lee.

With love and graditude,

Kathy and Mike Fletcher

Nikki Melanson