Cancer Treatment for Dad

Earlier this year, my dad's throat started hurting. Sometimes this can just be a run-of-the-mill illness or allergies. But, it persisted. He tried to make an appointment to see a doctor, but when the pandemic hit, all they wanted to do was video-appointments which weren't effective for this type of thing.  After some hullabaloo, he essentially demanded a referral to a specialist because his throat still hurt and was not getting any answers. 

Finally, this July, they scoped his throat and saw "something" but couldn't be certain what it was, and were cautious to say anything without further tests. After many more tests and appointments, he was diagnosed with Stage 4a Squamous Cell Carcinoma cancer in his throat. Initially, he will undergo chemo and radiation treatments 5 days per week for about 7 weeks.

This diagnosis has taken many months, and many trips to Dartmouth-Hitchcock in New Hampshire, a 4 hour round trip each day. As we go forward, there will be medical expenses that insurance doesn't cover, and travel expenses for back and forth trips 5 days per week to the cancer treatment center in Vermont for treatments, about a 3 hour round trip each day; then thereafter for follow ups, and/or potentially additional treatments/medical care.

The doctors say he will be unable work for approximately 3-4 months initially, and does not have enough vacation time to cover that amount of time. As you can imagine, this will indeed create a significant hardship for them. Any funds raised will certainly provide some relief, at least financially, during this very scary and stressful time to assist in covering medical expenses, travel expenses and possibly living expenses while he is unable to work and earn income. 

My dad is, and never will be one to ask for anything, and is always the one helping others. He has always taken care of those around him including my siblings and I, my mom, nieces and nephews, and his aging parents. He came into my life when I was less than 1 year old, and raised me as his own child; he was there for me and provided for me my entire life when honestly, he didn't have to. Not only that, he stepped in and raised my nieces and nephew when they were very young as well.  He has been an amazing, giving and supportive Father, Grampy, Husband, Brother, Son. He is always helping everyone in any way he can from putting food in their fridge, making sure their electricity bill is paid before it gets shut off, to helping friends and family renovate or fix things in their homes, even if it creates a hardship for him- he puts them first because that's the kind of man he is. Now I am hoping to raise some funds to help HIM for once =:)

Thank you for reading! <3  If you are unable to donate, if you can share this to help my dad we will be forever grateful =:)

Much Love and Heartfelt Gratitude,
-Mallory