Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

We are reaching out to share a profoundly challenging chapter in our lives. My husband, James Dotson, and I, Joann Dotson, were recently in the hospital at the same time. The news we received has put us both on serious, life-threatening health journeys simultaneously, and we are now facing a desperate financial situation as neither of us has health insurance.

Joann's Diagnosis: I have been diagnosed with Stage III Colon Cancer. I will be starting an urgent treatment protocol that includes major surgery, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and extensive post-operative care. Because we are uninsured, these treatments must be paid for immediately, or they will be delayed.

James's Diagnosis: At the same time, my loving husband, James, was diagnosed with a serious heart condition, Atrial Fibrillation (Afib). This is a severe condition requiring ongoing, high-cost treatment, including cardiologist consultations, continuous monitoring, and multiple new medications to manage the risk of stroke. While he desperately wants to be my primary caregiver, his own health requires immediate and sustained medical attention.

Without health insurance, we are confronting the full, catastrophic cost of two major illnesses at once. We are no longer discussing deductibles; we are discussing hundreds of thousands of dollars just to begin treatment. Our lives depend on starting these procedures immediately.

Urgent Medical Bills: The full, uninsured cost of my cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and James's heart procedures means we must raise money immediately to keep us in the treatment queue.

Lost Income: I, Joann, will need an extended, unpaid medical leave from my job as an Accountant. James will also take significant time off for his own heart appointments and to care for me, leaving us with virtually no family income

Our immediate fundraising goal of $200,000 will cover only the most urgent, life-saving costs for the first six months. This includes the hospital and facility fees required to start treatment and replace a minimum of our lost income.

This is not a financial request; it is a plea for survival. We need the help of our community now more than ever to literally afford to fight for our lives.

Donate: Any amount, no matter how small, is a direct contribution to life-saving medical care.

Share: Please share this campaign link widely with your network. The more people who see our need, the greater our chance of survival.

Pray/Send Positive Energy: Knowing we have a community standing with us gives us the strength to face this every single day.

We promise to update this page regularly. Thank you, from the deepest part of our hearts, for your compassion and generosity during this desperate time.

With love and gratitude,

Joann Dotson and James Dotson