Taking Care of the Caretaker

I am friends of a beautiful and decent couple Donald and Gigi (Ridings) Hickey. Over the last several years, Donald and Gigi have encountered many challenges that have shaken the core of their family structure. These events have become almost impossible for their family, and we are asking for assistance to help them out.

On January 28, 2022, Donald and Gigi lost their daughter Vicki who succumbed to a long-term illness. Vicki and her eight-year-old daughter Emma affectionately nicknamed “M&M,” were both living with them; Vicki needed care before her passing. Gigi has been the sole provider during this most challenging period. Days before their daughter’s funeral, Donald was admitted to the hospital for emergency treatment and could not attend.

Over the past ten years, Donald and Gigi have experienced significant setbacks impacting them financially. These setbacks caused them to sell their home and withdraw funds from savings and retirement, essentially depleting their savings. The timeframe of these setbacks are listed:

• 2011- Donald was diagnosed with throat cancer. Extensive treatment required addressing the cancer.

• 2013- their daughter Vicki discovered that her kidneys were failing and needed a transplant. Vicki and her daughter Emma moved in to get support.

• 2021 – Donald is diagnosed with lymphoma and is undergoing treatment.

• 2022- Vicki, unfortunately, passes away.

• 2022 – Donald is later diagnosed with congestive heart failure and kidney disease, which resulted in him being hospitalized for ten days.

• 2022 – Donald suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized for 18 days.

Donald and Gigi are responsible people and want to pay their bills. Their debt is growing with hospitalization, medications, and ongoing chemotherapy. The amount we are requesting will help to ease their situation. We are asking for contributions to help in reducing the financial pressures created during this most difficult time.

For those who know Gigi, she has spent her entire career (45 years) caring for the elderly at the Keiro Northwest nursing facility and currently at Kin On Assisted Living. She has touched many families through their time of need, and now this caretaker finds herself needing assistance. Gigi is on a family medical leave to care for Donald while raising their granddaughter.

We want to thank you for your time and contribution.