While enjoying an IU women’s basketball game with Uncle Jim and Aunt Peg with the stadium filled with fans cheering to capacity, we noticed that my younger brother Tim was depleted of energy which was not normal. In the past, Tim and I have eaten buckets of popcorn and cheered on the women to victory. This game- Tim was depleted with energy, not hungry, and slept on the way home. His behavior was strange enough for our uncle to be concerned. The following Tuesday he asked me to take him to the local urgent care as he still wasn’t feeling great and thought he had an upper lung infection. After an x-ray, we were immediately sent to the hospital where further tests confirmed he had stage 3 lung cancer.

Watching my brother go through chemo treatments and fight for Medicaid coverage and social security has been weighing hard on my heart and soul. There has been a financial toll on him and my nephew as they try to survive and maneuver through the all too familiar intersection of cancer and poverty. Tim always lent a helping hand to my family whenever I needed him; especially when I was on the road for work helping my girls when they needed it. Tim is a person who reminds me of the saying “still waters run deep” and our father. Throughout this challenging journey, he has remained an incredibly upbeat and positive individual. He has held on to his faith in God and kept his spirit bright, even in the face of the immense challenges. His resilience is truly inspiring. I am putting this go-fund me together as a means of appreciation and to help him get through the next stage in his cancer journey.

Tim is scheduled for surgery in June and, unfortunately, has been unable to work since his diagnosis in February. We are hopeful that, if all goes well, he can return to work by September. During this challenging time, we kindly ask for any assistance to help cover Tim’s monthly bills. Your support would truly mean the world to our family as we navigate this difficult period.

With love and gratitude,

Charles