For Rick Heaton ("Sapience," as many of you know him)

On September 7th, Rick Heaton was rushed by ambulance to the ER after ongoing blood loss from his throat that doctors now know was caused by a cancerous tumor. The ER team saved Rick’s life, but that was only the beginning of a terrifying ordeal.

Rick was transferred to RI Hospital, where he endured intubation, a medical coma, and throat packing with gauze to stop the bleeding. A biopsy confirmed P16 positive HPV-associated cancer in the throat and tongue area.

After a brief stretch when it looked like Rick might be able to go home, he suffered another major hemorrhage, this time internal and gastric, and was sent back to the ICU. Doctors also found multiple blood clots in Rick’s legs, including one that had already migrated to his lungs.

A chest filter was placed to help stop more clots from reaching his lungs and heart, which Rick jokingly calls his “Arc reactor.” It is honestly more like a colander, but it is keeping things out of his heart to prevent him from dying, so same purpose.

Even with that bit of humor, this has been a slow, discouraging, frustrating, and frankly terrifying time. Rick is now on heavy blood thinners, making even a minor bump or head injury dangerous.

All of this has only been to get Rick to a place where going home is even possible. On October 2nd, Rick was transferred to rehab for the next stage of recovery, where he is expected to spend at least two weeks with 3 hours a day of intensive physical and occupational therapy, including morning and afternoon sessions and gym work to rebuild strength.

His partner, Anita, has been by Rick’s side from the start, hearing the emergency, calling 911, and continuing to advocate for him across doctors, hospitals, states, insurance, and agencies.

Support for Rick will help with hospital and rehab bills above insurance costs, help keep a roof over their heads, help Anita with the ongoing cost of traveling to visit Rick in rehab, and help with the many medical, therapy, and oncology-related needs still ahead as treatment begins.

This is not a short-term crisis. Rick’s needs will continue through rehab, follow-up appointments, travel, and cancer treatment, and that ongoing pressure affects everyday life just as much as the medical bills.

Recurring donations can make a real difference by providing steady support for housing, travel, and care as Rick continues this long road forward. One-time donations are also deeply appreciated and truly helpful. If you’re able, please donate or share this fundraiser to support Rick through rehab, recovery, and the treatment still to come.