The Austin's Medical Costs

Hello everyone,

Thank you for visiting this fundraiser.
My name is Madelynn Austin and I am the daughter of Krissy and Chris Austin. We could use your help due to medical emergencies and long term care associated with their medical conditions.  My parents have never really asked for help - but the need is great, so I'm asking instead!

My father was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil in June 2017. He began a 7 week treatment plan mid-July (6 chemotherapy sessions, 35 radiation sessions). The treatment is expected to be curative. My father is sole provider of the family, and was limited in his work for five weeks of the treatment, and has been unable to work the last two weeks and the rest of this week to finish up treatment and start healing. However, there has been conversations with my dad’s employer that he might not have a job waiting for him when he comes back after three weeks - when he’s cured. That also means he would lose his health insurance as well as his income. My dad finished his last radiation treatment yesterday (9/18), and instead of being able to focus on victories in health, we are focused on what to do when we get the final bills, with no income.

My mother is suffering through multiple chronic illnesses (Type 1 diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders), but the current development since April 2017, is pancreatitis and calcification of the pancreatic ducts. She has been through one pancreas surgery, but needs an additional specialized surgery to remove calcification, and has had multiple emergency room visits in the waiting period until her surgery. We are unsure of where this surgery will take place - we might have to travel out of state, or at the very least, Chicago. She has suffered for so long, and unfortunately we are playing the waiting game with doctors.

We need your help to put a dent in the family’s medical expenses - having all of these medical emergencies happen at once has been devastating (my dad’s expenses for June cancer diagnostics alone was $6,254.95, my mom’s diabetic supplies per month are ~$500).


What this fundraiser will help cover:
-Chris’ cancer treatment costs (6 chemotherapy and 35 radiation sessions, ~25 hydration sessions, medications)
-Chris dental surgery costs (2 extractions, 2 jaw procedures, which needed to happen to safeguard his oral health for treatment to begin)
-Chris’ doctor visits
-Krissy’s pancreatic surgery
-Krissy’s doctor visits
-Krissy’s medications and diabetic supplies
-E.R. bills
-Transportation costs
-Food costs
-Lost wages for Chris (reduced hours through treatment and unpaid leave for 3 weeks)

The goal amount does not cover my parent's mortgage, car payment/insurance, health insurance premiums, cell phones, or utilities. If you would like to donate towards the household costs, please let me know! 

Extra info on the people, if you want to know more!

My mom:
My mom, Krissy Austin is one you cannot miss - her goofy, bubbly personality and loud laughter guarantee that you will know when she’s around. She’s a green thumb, an animal advocate and avid crafter. She’s also has had her share of medical troubles throughout her life, having been diagnosed with Type 1 (Juvenile) diabetes at the age of 26 and later on, severe, chronic gastrointestinal issues. The cost for her medication and medical supplies are on average $500 a month.
An additional condition that has crept up within the last year has been recurring bouts of pancreatitis, and for a while we thought it would be an acute situation - but unfortunately it has developed into something meaner: calcification of the pancreatic ducts. The pain associated with any illness of the pancreas is immense, described by my mom’s doctors as “the worst organ pain possible.” Her quality of life has diminished greatly, and we’re doing everything we can to attempt to get the surgery she needs to start resolving these issues.


My dad:
My dad, Chris Austin never really gets sick. Except for when he got cancer of the tonsil. Go big or go home.
He has worked in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment for over 40 years. Having always been a helper, his helping of others doesn’t stop at work - he’s always available for anyone, at any time, if they need something. In fact, when one of his counselors he supervised was diagnosed with cancer, he not only helped to protect her job, he threw together a benefit concert to raise money for her treatment costs! It is even more jarring now that he has been threatened with job loss because of his own curative treatment.

Dad is also a talented musician, having played rock/blues guitar for 50 years or so. It is his passion and therapy. He also enjoys his Harley Davidson.
Cancer treatment has taken a lot from my dad. His weight, his voice, his taste, his energy, his quality of life, but luckily not his hair. It’s longer than mine still.


Our family:
The Austins were a family four that has grown to be a family of 6 but will be a family of 8 soon. Chris and Krissy have been married 32 years in November, have had two kids (me and my brother, Sean). Sean has a wonderful wife, Hannah. Together they have a son, Ethan, with a new baby coming in December 2017! I have a fiance, Michael, and we’re getting married in May 2018! We also have a pit bull, Mollie who is 15 years old, and lost our other pit bull, Bug, in July.
We’ve always been a musical bunch, and never say no to a good board game.


Thank you for taking the time to read this, and if possible, donate. I have full hope that my parents will have healing in their future, and full hope that our family will stay strong.
(the above photo is of me (Madelynn), Chris, Hannah, Sean, and Krissy)