Please Support Palmer's Fight Against Cancer

Stickley Friends & Family - As you likely know, Palmer has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He will undergo surgery this Thursday, June 13th, to remove the tumor. This procedure involves removing the bottom two inches of his stomach, the gallbladder, bile duct, and half of the pancreas. Palmer will spend several days in the ICU and at least another week at UF Health in Jacksonville, FL, as he recovers. Once home, his recovery process will take another 2-3 months. After reaching about 80% recovery, he will start a six-month round of chemotherapy. There are high hopes that by early 2025, he might be 'cured'.

When the family moved to St. Augustine in the fall of 2019, their circumstances were quite different. Palmer had been with his company for 20 years, and Jenna planned to get a job in St. Augustine once she moved down in June after completing the 2019-2020 school year at Orchard House. Then COVID hit, changing everything for all of us. Jenna was not able to get full-time employment until spring of 2021. Around this same time, Palmer realized he could no longer continue his work due to chronic and debilitating back pain and limited mobility. Palmer applied for Disabiity through Social Security in January of 2022 and after 13 months of waiting received a denial letter. He is now in the appeals process hoping for a better outcome. Despite these setbacks, over the past three years, Palmer and Jenna have managed to get Kira through college and keep their bills paid through a lot of "creative financing," but they haven't been able to save anything extra.

Then came the cancer diagnosis. The costs of surgery, doctor and procedure co-pays, insurance deductibles, overnight stays in Jacksonville for treatment, along with high co-pays for the upcoming chemo treatments, are just some of the known expenses ahead. Additionally, Jenna will be unable to work this summer as she will be home caring for Palmer. Jenna has insurance through her employer, but since she isn't earning a paycheck over the summer, she will have to pay premiums and additional deductions out of pocket until she earns a paycheck again this fall. This continued coverage is vital for Palmer's continued care.

Starting a GoFundMe was a tough decision for Palmer and Jenna. They're not used to seeking help and they've always found joy in assisting others. Despite their own struggles, they remain thankful, understanding that others face even greater hardships. The suggestion to start a GoFundMe served as a reminder that someone else's misfortune doesn't diminish the significance of one's own struggles. Palmer and Jenna have been through several significant health crises with Palmer, and each time were reminded how much people genuinely care for one another. The past three years have been tough, particularly financially, and the additional burden of medical expenses feels overwhelming. They acknowledge that receiving assistance with these costs will ease their stress and financial worries, allowing them to focus on what matters most: getting Palmer well.

Jenna has always spoken of how blessed she feels and her great love for their amazing village. If you would like to help them during this challenging period, any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Your support will help cover ongoing medical expenses and ensure that Palmer continues to receive the care he needs. Thoughts and prayers are also appreciated, as well as sharing this message to help spread the word.

Thank you for your understanding and kindness!

-Beth Chambers (friend of the Stickley family)