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Team McDonald is organizing this fundraiser.
· Created October 26, 2020
· Medical, Terminal Illness
Near the end of September, our dear friend Dan McDonald received the nightmare diagnosis of stage four brain cancer (Glioblastoma). Sadly, it appears he has weeks to maybe months to live.
Dan, his wife Linda, and daughter Kelsey are long-time, beloved residents of Cambria. When Linda and Dan married 33 years ago, the best man toasted “to the blind date that worked.” Linda told us, “Dan is one of the good guys. He’s a loving husband, a wonderful father and a great friend to many…just a kind and caring soul.”
We agree.
Dan is still a proud member of Cambria’s Rotary Club, where he served as treasurer before suffering a traumatic brain injury 11 years ago. He also used his CPA skills to help the Booster Club at Kelsey’s high school and was a Lion’s club member for a time.
About 16 years ago, Dan started his own CPA practice in Cambria, the hometown he loves. He was starting his fifth year of business when he suffered his brain injury in a cycling accident. He survived but was left with neurologic deficits that kept him from returning to his self-employed career. To become the caregiver for the husband she adores, Linda left her longtime career as a dental hygienist.
They adjusted their lives to his deficits, Dan was doing reasonably well, and the family was enjoying life until early September 2020, when Dan passed out at home. He was rushed to the hospital, evaluated, and sent to surgery.
Doctors found aggressive, advanced Grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer and recommended that Dan not attempt a therapeutic regimen that would have included radiation and chemotherapy.
Dan is back with Linda in their Cambria home. He needs constant care and attention, which is, for now being provided by Linda and their daughter Kelsey (a nurse). However, Kelsey must return to work soon, and Linda will need professional caregiving assistance to keep Dan at home.
Friends are helping now with visits, meals, and loving cheerleading, but it is clear this family will need more significant support almost immediately and for weeks and maybe months.
They currently live on Dan’s disability benefits and are concerned about current and looming expenses. Those expenses will mushroom exponentially as Dan requires more medical attention and professional in-home care that is not covered by insurance.
This frightening, major transition for the family looms large and soon, especially a financial one. So, our goal is to raise $45,000 to cover:
1) Professional in-home health care to allow Dan to live at home for the rest of his life, and
2) Six months of transition funds to replace Dan’s disability income after his passing. This will help Linda plan for and start her new, unexpected, and rather scary future.
They need our help and your help, so thank you so much for taking the time to read this note and for any support you can give. Any amount will help provide for Dan’s care in his final days and weeks, and then help Linda and Kelsey pick up the pieces and move on after his death.
It is moments like this that we as a community can pick each other up and help get one of our own through a most difficult time. Please help Dan stay in his home with Linda for as long as possible.
You can make a one-time donation or pay monthly, whatever works best for you.
Every contribution will make a difference. Please remember Dan’s sunshine smiles and pure joy of life and join us in making this happen.
Thank you!
(Team McDonald) Sharon E, Mike E, David L, Tom P, Jan M, Kathe T
· Created October 26, 2020
· Medical, Terminal Illness
Near the end of September, our dear friend Dan McDonald received the nightmare diagnosis of stage four brain cancer (Glioblastoma). Sadly, it appears he has weeks to maybe months to live.
Dan, his wife Linda, and daughter Kelsey are long-time, beloved residents of Cambria. When Linda and Dan married 33 years ago, the best man toasted “to the blind date that worked.” Linda told us, “Dan is one of the good guys. He’s a loving husband, a wonderful father and a great friend to many…just a kind and caring soul.”
We agree.
Dan is still a proud member of Cambria’s Rotary Club, where he served as treasurer before suffering a traumatic brain injury 11 years ago. He also used his CPA skills to help the Booster Club at Kelsey’s high school and was a Lion’s club member for a time.
About 16 years ago, Dan started his own CPA practice in Cambria, the hometown he loves. He was starting his fifth year of business when he suffered his brain injury in a cycling accident. He survived but was left with neurologic deficits that kept him from returning to his self-employed career. To become the caregiver for the husband she adores, Linda left her longtime career as a dental hygienist.
They adjusted their lives to his deficits, Dan was doing reasonably well, and the family was enjoying life until early September 2020, when Dan passed out at home. He was rushed to the hospital, evaluated, and sent to surgery.
Doctors found aggressive, advanced Grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer and recommended that Dan not attempt a therapeutic regimen that would have included radiation and chemotherapy.
Dan is back with Linda in their Cambria home. He needs constant care and attention, which is, for now being provided by Linda and their daughter Kelsey (a nurse). However, Kelsey must return to work soon, and Linda will need professional caregiving assistance to keep Dan at home.
Friends are helping now with visits, meals, and loving cheerleading, but it is clear this family will need more significant support almost immediately and for weeks and maybe months.
They currently live on Dan’s disability benefits and are concerned about current and looming expenses. Those expenses will mushroom exponentially as Dan requires more medical attention and professional in-home care that is not covered by insurance.
This frightening, major transition for the family looms large and soon, especially a financial one. So, our goal is to raise $45,000 to cover:
1) Professional in-home health care to allow Dan to live at home for the rest of his life, and
2) Six months of transition funds to replace Dan’s disability income after his passing. This will help Linda plan for and start her new, unexpected, and rather scary future.
They need our help and your help, so thank you so much for taking the time to read this note and for any support you can give. Any amount will help provide for Dan’s care in his final days and weeks, and then help Linda and Kelsey pick up the pieces and move on after his death.
It is moments like this that we as a community can pick each other up and help get one of our own through a most difficult time. Please help Dan stay in his home with Linda for as long as possible.
You can make a one-time donation or pay monthly, whatever works best for you.
Every contribution will make a difference. Please remember Dan’s sunshine smiles and pure joy of life and join us in making this happen.
Thank you!
(Team McDonald) Sharon E, Mike E, David L, Tom P, Jan M, Kathe T
Organizer and beneficiary
Linda McDonald
Beneficiary