The Joe Obidzinski Fund
Donation protected
Help us help our “brother” Joe Obidzinski fight Leukemia
We are asking for you to help our “brother” Joe Obidzinski in any way that you can! On May 21st, 2020 amid all the craziness of this year, Joe was diagnosed with Leukemia. Although he may have arrived as an “in-law” everyone in our family are “brothers” and “sisters”—some of us just arrived a little later than others. So, we are asking you to help us help our “brother”!
Please help us help our “brother”! Any amount (no matter how small) will help. We know that these are tough times for everyone and if you are not able to give, we understand. We are only asking for what you are able to give, nothing more. Also, we thank you (on behalf of ourselves as well as Joe and his family) for whatever you can afford to give! You are making a difference and we cannot express adequately just how much we appreciate your help during this time.
The money raised is for help with the bills of Joe and his family, but any remaining money will be held and once it he is been given a clean bill of health, we will work with the University of Michigan to find someone who is in a similar need but may not have the generosity and support of such a large group of family and friends. Thank you and God Bless!
Background
· Back in May, Joe—like many similarly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic—was working from home.
· He noticed that he felt tired often and would become winded doing simple things like walking up a flight of stairs or strolling leisurely to the end of the block (it is a short distance).
· He was concerned that something might be wrong, and—if nothing else—wanted to make sure that it was not COVID.
· He made an appointment to see his doctor and on May 20th went for a check-up.
· It did not take his doctor long before he told Joe that he wanted him to go to a hospital emergency room, immediately for testing.
· Later that day, Joe called to tell Michelle that they tested his heart and lungs, both of which appeared fine; however, when they did some blood tests – that is when the found the cause: leukemia.
· The entire family was in shock. Leukemia is one of those things that everyone hears about but unless you (or someone you know) has gone through it, it is usually something that you do not know much about.
· Our other sister (MaryAnne is a Nurse Practitioner) explained to everyone what this meant and answered the many questions everyone had.
· She told Joe that she wanted him to insist that they move him to the University of Michigan for treatment.
o He did and was transferred to Ann Arbor the next day.
· Since May, Joe has been in the care of the doctors and medical professionals at UofM.
o Despite the terrible circumstances, the staff there has done a great job of explaining the situation, providing treatment options, and working with Joe and Michelle to deal with all the logistics of these various appointments and bills.
o Despite the physical effects (weight and hair loss, and other things) from the treatments, he has continued to work from home as much as he can
o He has also made it a point to see everyone as much (and as safely) as possible.
o He has remained in good spirits and is always happy and gracious despite all of the difficulties associated with the treatment.
o This is no doubt due to his deep faith in God.
o Countless family and friends have kept him in prayer for these past few months and he has noted many times that he can “feel” them working.
Treatment
· Joe is currently in the hospital receiving treatment that has the strongest potential for a cure for this horrible illness.
· However, the treatments and medication are expensive.
o The treatment was made possible by his son (our nephew – Joe(y)) who was identified as a match.
o Joe(y)’s donation is the key to curing Joe’s condition, however, that is where it gets incredibly expensive.
o Joe(y) donated more than twice the amount of bone marrow stem cells the doctors requested.
o Next, he will have his current immune system destroyed.
o Once that is done, he will receive those stem cells that Joe(y) donated. This will be a long and unpleasant process, but it is the way to a cure.
· Next comes the hard part.
o Joe will have to be on anti-rejection medication for the next few years (at least 3, and up to 5). These medications—depending on what the doctors decide are necessary for the specifics of his condition—may cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month (or even per dose).
o Joe has what is known as a Philadelphia positive Leukemia. This is a chromosome that must be destroyed over time for the transplant to be effective. The cost for this medication is staggering but necessary.
o Even with insurance, those stated costs are just the co-pays which insurance does not cover.
- This could result in tens of thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket costs.
o These drugs; however, are vital to Joe’s health and recovery. Without them, this will eventually return and ultimately it will claim his life.
o This treatment provides him the best chance for more years with us, his family.
· Our "brother” Joe is a wonderful person!
o He is a new grandfather (his grandson Theo was born in December) and he wants to be there for years so that he can get to know his grandson and watch him grow.
o Joe and our sister Michelle were planning to retire in the next few years and spend their remaining years enjoying their family and friends.
o He is a kind person who believes in helping people and has a strong spirit rooted in deep faith.
o As we noted, he may not have been born our brother, but there he is as close to us as if we were raised in the same household.
· Unfortunately, Joe’s recovery and his hope to spend his remaining years with his family will be possible only with financial support.
· So, we are helping them to raise money for medical bills, any additional medical procedures he may require, and (God forbid) any additional treatments he may need in the future.
· All we are asking is for you to help in any way that you can.
Thank you and God Bless!
We are asking for you to help our “brother” Joe Obidzinski in any way that you can! On May 21st, 2020 amid all the craziness of this year, Joe was diagnosed with Leukemia. Although he may have arrived as an “in-law” everyone in our family are “brothers” and “sisters”—some of us just arrived a little later than others. So, we are asking you to help us help our “brother”!
Please help us help our “brother”! Any amount (no matter how small) will help. We know that these are tough times for everyone and if you are not able to give, we understand. We are only asking for what you are able to give, nothing more. Also, we thank you (on behalf of ourselves as well as Joe and his family) for whatever you can afford to give! You are making a difference and we cannot express adequately just how much we appreciate your help during this time.
The money raised is for help with the bills of Joe and his family, but any remaining money will be held and once it he is been given a clean bill of health, we will work with the University of Michigan to find someone who is in a similar need but may not have the generosity and support of such a large group of family and friends. Thank you and God Bless!
Background
· Back in May, Joe—like many similarly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic—was working from home.
· He noticed that he felt tired often and would become winded doing simple things like walking up a flight of stairs or strolling leisurely to the end of the block (it is a short distance).
· He was concerned that something might be wrong, and—if nothing else—wanted to make sure that it was not COVID.
· He made an appointment to see his doctor and on May 20th went for a check-up.
· It did not take his doctor long before he told Joe that he wanted him to go to a hospital emergency room, immediately for testing.
· Later that day, Joe called to tell Michelle that they tested his heart and lungs, both of which appeared fine; however, when they did some blood tests – that is when the found the cause: leukemia.
· The entire family was in shock. Leukemia is one of those things that everyone hears about but unless you (or someone you know) has gone through it, it is usually something that you do not know much about.
· Our other sister (MaryAnne is a Nurse Practitioner) explained to everyone what this meant and answered the many questions everyone had.
· She told Joe that she wanted him to insist that they move him to the University of Michigan for treatment.
o He did and was transferred to Ann Arbor the next day.
· Since May, Joe has been in the care of the doctors and medical professionals at UofM.
o Despite the terrible circumstances, the staff there has done a great job of explaining the situation, providing treatment options, and working with Joe and Michelle to deal with all the logistics of these various appointments and bills.
o Despite the physical effects (weight and hair loss, and other things) from the treatments, he has continued to work from home as much as he can
o He has also made it a point to see everyone as much (and as safely) as possible.
o He has remained in good spirits and is always happy and gracious despite all of the difficulties associated with the treatment.
o This is no doubt due to his deep faith in God.
o Countless family and friends have kept him in prayer for these past few months and he has noted many times that he can “feel” them working.
Treatment
· Joe is currently in the hospital receiving treatment that has the strongest potential for a cure for this horrible illness.
· However, the treatments and medication are expensive.
o The treatment was made possible by his son (our nephew – Joe(y)) who was identified as a match.
o Joe(y)’s donation is the key to curing Joe’s condition, however, that is where it gets incredibly expensive.
o Joe(y) donated more than twice the amount of bone marrow stem cells the doctors requested.
o Next, he will have his current immune system destroyed.
o Once that is done, he will receive those stem cells that Joe(y) donated. This will be a long and unpleasant process, but it is the way to a cure.
· Next comes the hard part.
o Joe will have to be on anti-rejection medication for the next few years (at least 3, and up to 5). These medications—depending on what the doctors decide are necessary for the specifics of his condition—may cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month (or even per dose).
o Joe has what is known as a Philadelphia positive Leukemia. This is a chromosome that must be destroyed over time for the transplant to be effective. The cost for this medication is staggering but necessary.
o Even with insurance, those stated costs are just the co-pays which insurance does not cover.
- This could result in tens of thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket costs.
o These drugs; however, are vital to Joe’s health and recovery. Without them, this will eventually return and ultimately it will claim his life.
o This treatment provides him the best chance for more years with us, his family.
· Our "brother” Joe is a wonderful person!
o He is a new grandfather (his grandson Theo was born in December) and he wants to be there for years so that he can get to know his grandson and watch him grow.
o Joe and our sister Michelle were planning to retire in the next few years and spend their remaining years enjoying their family and friends.
o He is a kind person who believes in helping people and has a strong spirit rooted in deep faith.
o As we noted, he may not have been born our brother, but there he is as close to us as if we were raised in the same household.
· Unfortunately, Joe’s recovery and his hope to spend his remaining years with his family will be possible only with financial support.
· So, we are helping them to raise money for medical bills, any additional medical procedures he may require, and (God forbid) any additional treatments he may need in the future.
· All we are asking is for you to help in any way that you can.
Thank you and God Bless!
Organizer and beneficiary
Matthew Jobin
Organizer
Livonia, MI
Michelle Obidzinski
Beneficiary
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