The Ackman family of Superior, Wisconsin—Heather, Nick, Dorian (age 10), and Kairi (age 8)—needs help with their expenses for the next few months.  Both Mom Heather and Dad Nick work very hard at their jobs, but Heather is undergoing surgery on Monday, May 15, and her recovery will be three months or more.  During that time the family won’t have her income for mortgage, utilities, and basic necessities.  Heather has insurance, but it may not cover all of her medical expenses.

Heather will have a vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) removed during the surgery. It is a non-cancerous tumor on the main nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain.  During her recovery, Heather won’t be able to work at her job of providing care for developmentally and physically challenged people in in-home settings.  Nick works for Northland Fire & Safety and will be the only income for their family during that time.

Specifically, the family needs money to:

*Pay their mortgage, car payment and utilities of $1050 a month

*Pay insurance premiums that would have been covered by Heather's salary over $400 a month

*Pay for medical expenses not covered by Heather’s insurance (unknown at this time)

Heather and Nick are active in their children’s lives through scouting and other activities, and the whole family is active in their church and community.  As a family they enjoy helping out in CITO (Cache In Trash Out) events, which are a Geocaching initiative to help clean up litter and do other environmental activities in parks and other areas.  Heather has just one semester left in her nursing program and hopes to be able to complete it in the fall.

The Ackmans are a terrific family and important to all of us.  Let’s help them over this patch!