Leslie's Medical Fund

It breaks my heart to think of one of the dearest, nearest people I love and treasure in my life being in this position. Leslie Zadroga went to the ER for an asthma attack. While there she was still having pain in her chest and upper abdomen. They did a few more tests. Only to find out that there was a mass in her lung and on her liver. After learning of the mass, the following two weeks of testing were a nightmare for Leslie's friends and family. She was given a diagnosis that would change everything. At the young age of 40 years old, Leslie was told she had Bile Duct Cancer which spread to her liver and lung (who has never smoked a cigarette a day in her life). The doctors at Penn Hospital swiftly formulated a treatment plan for Leslie that involves intense outpatient chemotherapy, radiation and then more chemotherapy. Leslie has already begun her chemo treatments and has been a trooper! Her doctors are hopeful that this treatment will arrest the cancer cells, and produce positive results, however, there is a still long and uncertain road ahead of her.

The question becomes, "why do bad things happen to such amazing people with hearts that could heal the Grinch?" does not even begin to cover the karmic wrongness of Leslie's circumstance. Being an amazing, single mother to a beautiful, well-mannered honor student named Julien that she has raised by herself.  We know how tremendous the loss of your mother, due to lung cancer, affected you, but you’ve done an amazing job of bringing a gentleman into this world.  I'm so proud of you for being such an amazing loving parent, just as your mother was to you. Unfortunately, during her treatment, Julien was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes. She immediately put her own heath issues on the back burner to take care of the one special person, who she would move mountains for and truth be told, you don't mess with a Momma bear and her cub. 

Anyone that knows Leslie personally will tell you that she is a loving, creative, strong, and a good-humored woman. She gives her time and kindness generously whether it is to her son who she adores more than life itself, or to her family that she is so proud to be apart of. Family meals and tradition mean everything to her. Each year at Christmas, Leslie follows a family tradition of giving her nieces and nephews an ornament for their tree, just as she was given growing up. 

I had the honor of meeting Leslie at work.  It's been an instant friendship since. Yes, we have become codependent and I wouldn't change that for anything. Sadly, she has recently had to go out on short term disability. The medical bills have been rolling in and constant calls. Leslie is a proud independent woman and would never ask for help so I'm going to do it for her.

It's in times like these that we are grateful for Leslie's beautiful smile, charm, and optimistic outlook. After all, she has been through she still jokes that maybe chemo will give her superpowers or be able to see people naked without x-ray glasses because that's just the type of woman she is...

As if Leslie's diagnosis wasn't enough, her and her family now face the financial burden of both her and Jul's treatment. Loss of income, insurance deductibles, and the demands of raising an honor student heading to college. We ask you to help Leslie and her family in their time of need. Know that anything you are able to give is appreciated by Leslie's friends and family immensely. We also ask that along with your generosity, you keep Leslie in your prayers. 

With all my heart and love!!! Please join me in this effort to release the stress this dear, sweet woman has been put under with no fault of her own.

THANK YOU!!!!
-Sam Callison