Together for Bill: Surgery &Chemotherapy Recovery

We have now extended Bill's GoFundMe campaign and target fundraising goal, to accommodate for the unforeseen, immediate farm expenses and unplanned medical bills. Please read the updates below.

Diagnosis: Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm (a rare and intricate form of epithelial appendiceal cancer)

Updates:

Bill underwent a very invasive, 9-hour surgery and chemotherapy, at the end of September 2023, however, he has faced several roadblocks in his recovery journey.

After a week in the hospital, Bill was released home only to be remitted back into the hospital four days later for a secondary health condition not directly related to the cancer. Since then, Bill has been between surgical/cancer follow-up appointments and undergoing testing for this newly discovered medical concern. Bill's path toward resolving his new condition has been limited because he developed an allergic reaction and discontinued that branch of medications used to treat it. He may be facing another surgery in the near future.

In addition, last week Bill was rushed to the Emergency Room and remitted to the hospital a third time, due to a freak accident at the farm. We had to make the hard decision to rehome our elderly horse, Holly. After 3 decades of caring for Holly, Bill wanted to say goodbye to her the day that the Horse Rescue picked her up. When loading Holly into the trailer, she was spooked and ran away. In her escape, she ran into Bill, knocking him harshly onto the ground and then she fell ontop of him! We were very concerned about his head injury and surgical site. He was rushed to the ER, and then stayed at the hospital for testing and observation for five days. Thankfully Bill did not sustain any major injuries from the accident.

Adding to the complexity of the health concerns, the farm has faced several obstacles to essential resources this past week. Bill heats his home and his water exclusively through an outdoor furnace. That furnace broke last night, with a large water pipe burst, filling the inside of the furnace with water and discontinuing the flow of heat to the home. With nights dropping below freezing, we are racing to find a solution. In addition, the cylinder on Bill's wood-splitter has broken, requiring an urgent repair at a specialty repair shop, so that way we may continue preparing firewood for his home. This is why we are humbly reaching out to those who know and love Bill to offer their assistance.

We are very thankful for all the help we have gotten so far regarding Bill's GoFundMe campaign. We have allocated the previous funds to go towards securing a supply of firewood, maintaining the farm property, and alleviating the financial strain on Bill.

We have now extended his GoFundMe campaign and target fundraising goal, to accommodate for the unforeseen, immediate farm expenses and unplanned medical bills.

Bill's determination and resilience have carried him this far, but we recognize that he now needs our collective support to bridge this challenging time. Your contribution will be pivotal in ensuring Bill can concentrate on his recovery, free from the additional burden of concerns about his farm and home. As a community, let us unite to express our profound appreciation and love for Bill.

Who is Bill Fink?

Bill Fink is a cherished pillar of the vibrant Centre County community, known to many as the gracious host who opens his doors for heartfelt conversations after a round of hunting in the woods, BBQ potlucks, bonfire gatherings beneath the stars, adrenaline-filled airsoft battles in the backfield, or spirited games of ice hockey on the family pond. Perhaps you've shared the camaraderie of baling hay on a summer's day or braved the winter chill while cutting firewood for the farm. Bill's presence might also evoke memories from sitting outside the tent at the Grange Fair, milking cows at the Penn State Dairy Farms, shared experiences at Bald Eagle High School, or those local ice rinks where he's been a dedicated figure in the hockey community.

Renowned for his gift of gab, Bill is a warm-hearted conversationalist with an unwavering passion for hockey, farming, and the exhilarating thrill of motorcycle rides. His heart is as generous as it is open, and he's consistently been there for anyone in need, giving back to friends and the community, often when all he had to offer was his time and boundless heart.

Join us in making a meaningful impact on Bill's journey toward health and well-being.