While it’s been a terrible 2020 for all of us, The Funky Dodo has recently been hit a bit harder. The start to 2021 has not been good to them.
I am writing on behalf of Roy Nees, co-owner of the Funky Dodo along with his lovely wife, Anna. He may seem a curmudgeon on the exterior, but he and Anna have become a second family to me here in Belize. Roy was diagnosed with an aggressive cancerous tumor on January 2. He was hoping to have surgery or treatment in Belize City, but alas, it is beyond their capability.
Sunday, January 17, 2021 he flew to Merida, Mexico for what we thought was a week’s worth of oncologist visits and continued testing. Yesterday, he was told they need to start chemotherapy and radiation immediately and would like him to stay for at least six weeks. We are surprised and excited that they put together a team of doctors for him so quickly and were willing and able to begin treatment immediately. As the cancer has not yet spread to any other region or organs, the doctors believe that the prognosis for complete remission and healing is highly favorable, but time is of the essence.
The costs are enormous and overwhelming. I am pleading for all who read this to help in any way to defray the costs for his medical treatment, travel, and stay in Merida. No gift is too small (or too large!). We are told that the costs for medical treatment alone will be more than $50,000USD. Added to that will be Roy’s living expenses, hotel, food, and the like while in Merida.
While Roy is in Merida, Anna is left to manage the Funky Dodo on her own, 18 hours a day. There is no paid help, but for their loyal night watchman, Julian. As with the rest of the world’s tourism industry affected by Covid-19, their business has ground to a halt. With the restrictions coming into Belize (and now RETURNING to the US), the entire tourist season is but a dream.
Their resources are tapped out. Credit cards are maxed.
Roy is an extremely proud and private person. And it is taking enormous inner strength to let go and ASK for help. I know he has touched many a student, friends, political Facebook friends and rivals, and Funky Dodo guests. They have a long road ahead of them. And now that their friends and family have been told the news, they don’t have to go it alone.
Please please find it in your heart to contribute to such a worthy cause. We’d like Roy to be around much longer, to annoy as many people as he can on Facebook, and continue to be with us in Belize running the Funky Dodo with Anna (and Fritz and Mia - the resident cats), extolling the delights of Belize and Hopkins to travellers for years to come.
I am writing on behalf of Roy Nees, co-owner of the Funky Dodo along with his lovely wife, Anna. He may seem a curmudgeon on the exterior, but he and Anna have become a second family to me here in Belize. Roy was diagnosed with an aggressive cancerous tumor on January 2. He was hoping to have surgery or treatment in Belize City, but alas, it is beyond their capability.
Sunday, January 17, 2021 he flew to Merida, Mexico for what we thought was a week’s worth of oncologist visits and continued testing. Yesterday, he was told they need to start chemotherapy and radiation immediately and would like him to stay for at least six weeks. We are surprised and excited that they put together a team of doctors for him so quickly and were willing and able to begin treatment immediately. As the cancer has not yet spread to any other region or organs, the doctors believe that the prognosis for complete remission and healing is highly favorable, but time is of the essence.
The costs are enormous and overwhelming. I am pleading for all who read this to help in any way to defray the costs for his medical treatment, travel, and stay in Merida. No gift is too small (or too large!). We are told that the costs for medical treatment alone will be more than $50,000USD. Added to that will be Roy’s living expenses, hotel, food, and the like while in Merida.
While Roy is in Merida, Anna is left to manage the Funky Dodo on her own, 18 hours a day. There is no paid help, but for their loyal night watchman, Julian. As with the rest of the world’s tourism industry affected by Covid-19, their business has ground to a halt. With the restrictions coming into Belize (and now RETURNING to the US), the entire tourist season is but a dream.
Their resources are tapped out. Credit cards are maxed.
Roy is an extremely proud and private person. And it is taking enormous inner strength to let go and ASK for help. I know he has touched many a student, friends, political Facebook friends and rivals, and Funky Dodo guests. They have a long road ahead of them. And now that their friends and family have been told the news, they don’t have to go it alone.
Please please find it in your heart to contribute to such a worthy cause. We’d like Roy to be around much longer, to annoy as many people as he can on Facebook, and continue to be with us in Belize running the Funky Dodo with Anna (and Fritz and Mia - the resident cats), extolling the delights of Belize and Hopkins to travellers for years to come.