We are fundraising for Lee Weinland’s medical expenses. His medical battle started in 1993 with cancer treatments to his left leg. The doctors told him then that the high dose radiation might affect his leg later on in life. And it has. In recent years he was in and out of the hospital multiple times battling cellulitis and blood clots directly due to the damage of the radiation, a side effect of the cancer treatments. After each hospitalization he would have rehab, return home with home therapies, and work hard to get back to independent life. Just as he recovered his energy and started to feel life was returning to normal, he would be back in the hospital again. An amputation was first recommended in the emergency department when Lee was in extreme pain from blood clots and infections that would not heal even with antibiotics. Lee’s doctor told him there was a 100% chance he would not survive without an amputation. So, he had to endure the amputation of his left leg above the knee in April of this year.

After that operation, he has been in and out of the rehab hospitals multiple times, just to get strong enough to get back to life. His doctors told him that he is a candidate for a prosthetic leg, but he also needs an additional surgery for a right knee replacement before he can even begin to walk properly again. Meanwhile, he continues to work on his right leg and upper body strength with intensive physical therapy. So, he is confined to his wheelchair for now, and strives for greater independence.

Now he needs our support to purchase the equipment he needs to be independent. His goals include purchasing a used accessible van with a lift. He has already purchased a light-weight electric wheelchair, an accessible stove, an accessible washing machine, and is being fitted for a prosthetic. He wants to go back to work at least part time, but cannot until he is independently mobile. He can drive, but is unable to put his wheelchair in his car.

Lee is a generous and giving person, lives to help others and is an avid musician. He volunteers at his church and in the community, supports Special Olympics, loves to help seniors do errands and chores, and he even plays taps at military funerals! He wouldn’t ask for help himself, so now it is our turn to help and give to him. I’m sure he will be very grateful!

In addition to your donations, please share this fundraiser far and wide!

View Lee playing taps in Los Alamos on Memorial day: https://youtu.be/g3hPLeYxHy4?si=AqgyLDcAnm5opdCG4?si=AqgyLDcAnm5opdCG