Please help Rick Brandt
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As with so many families in this country, we are struggling with the devastating news that our brother has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. His name is Rick, and this is his story. . .
Rick is 72 years old. His is a devoted father of three children and a grandfather of one, an 11-year-old granddaughter who he absolutely adores. A loving brother to my sister and I, Rick has always been the foundational rock of our entire extended family. In recent years, he began dating a high school friend he became re-acquainted with at a high school reunion.
His lifelong career as a pilot began as a First Lieutenant in the Air Force. He was certified as a jet pilot and became a T-38 pilot instructor. After serving 8 years in the Air Force, he was hired as a pilot for a commercial airline company and retired as an American Airlines Captain in 2008.
Now, with his children grown and leading successful lives of their own, Rick began to enjoy the benefits of his new-found time to pursue his favorite interests. He spends countless hours with his granddaughter, sees all his children and sisters often, and enjoys the outdoors every day. In his younger days, he was an incredible slalom water skier, a certified scuba diver, and could be found boating at every chance. For exercise and enjoyment, he now loves to kayak through the beautiful Florida waterways, and fishes for snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. Give the man a boat or a plane and he is a happy man!
Not only is our brother a man who treasures his family and his life, he is a humble man: Always doing for others, only wanting the best for everyone else. I don’t remember him ever speaking badly about anyone. He always finds the best in people, always has a positive view of any situation, and always finds something to smile about. Rick has a renowned sense of humor. His clever jokes, devious April Fool’s Day pranks, and his laughter are contagious! He is a patriot and loves his country and would do anything in his power to protect it.
Now, he is fighting a battle for which he never expected to fight. His prognosis is hopeful in the fact he may survive for many years, but only after the enduring grueling chemo treatments.
Has this stopped him from being the wonderful, lovable guy he has always been? No! Rick remains positive, happy, and sociable. He has clearly not lost his sense of humor—joking that if he comes out of the house wearing a dress someday, it’s because the cancer treatment involves temporarily lowering his testosterone levels to zero. He isn’t even concerned about losing his hair, because he lost that years ago!
His main concern at present are his financial obligations. Rick fell on hard times financially several years ago. Insurance is helping, but all who face this type of battle know too well how expensive it is, and how hard it is to keep working full-time while going through the cancer treatment. Rick is by no means a wealthy man. He has always generously provided for his family and has lived within his means. He still works full-time to supplement his retirement income. This is the reason my sister and I have decided to reach out to people who would like to help Rick in his hour of need. We know that his family and friends want to help him however they can and helping to ease his financial concerns is the best way, at this time. If anyone else would like to help Rick out, even though you may have never met this wonderful man whom we all adore and treasure, he would be deeply touched by your concern and generosity. Rick has enriched so many lives during his 72 years. It is his turn now to receive the love and generosity from family, friends, and strangers alike.
On the behalf of our brother and his family, we thank you.
Rick is 72 years old. His is a devoted father of three children and a grandfather of one, an 11-year-old granddaughter who he absolutely adores. A loving brother to my sister and I, Rick has always been the foundational rock of our entire extended family. In recent years, he began dating a high school friend he became re-acquainted with at a high school reunion.
His lifelong career as a pilot began as a First Lieutenant in the Air Force. He was certified as a jet pilot and became a T-38 pilot instructor. After serving 8 years in the Air Force, he was hired as a pilot for a commercial airline company and retired as an American Airlines Captain in 2008.
Now, with his children grown and leading successful lives of their own, Rick began to enjoy the benefits of his new-found time to pursue his favorite interests. He spends countless hours with his granddaughter, sees all his children and sisters often, and enjoys the outdoors every day. In his younger days, he was an incredible slalom water skier, a certified scuba diver, and could be found boating at every chance. For exercise and enjoyment, he now loves to kayak through the beautiful Florida waterways, and fishes for snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. Give the man a boat or a plane and he is a happy man!
Not only is our brother a man who treasures his family and his life, he is a humble man: Always doing for others, only wanting the best for everyone else. I don’t remember him ever speaking badly about anyone. He always finds the best in people, always has a positive view of any situation, and always finds something to smile about. Rick has a renowned sense of humor. His clever jokes, devious April Fool’s Day pranks, and his laughter are contagious! He is a patriot and loves his country and would do anything in his power to protect it.
Now, he is fighting a battle for which he never expected to fight. His prognosis is hopeful in the fact he may survive for many years, but only after the enduring grueling chemo treatments.
Has this stopped him from being the wonderful, lovable guy he has always been? No! Rick remains positive, happy, and sociable. He has clearly not lost his sense of humor—joking that if he comes out of the house wearing a dress someday, it’s because the cancer treatment involves temporarily lowering his testosterone levels to zero. He isn’t even concerned about losing his hair, because he lost that years ago!
His main concern at present are his financial obligations. Rick fell on hard times financially several years ago. Insurance is helping, but all who face this type of battle know too well how expensive it is, and how hard it is to keep working full-time while going through the cancer treatment. Rick is by no means a wealthy man. He has always generously provided for his family and has lived within his means. He still works full-time to supplement his retirement income. This is the reason my sister and I have decided to reach out to people who would like to help Rick in his hour of need. We know that his family and friends want to help him however they can and helping to ease his financial concerns is the best way, at this time. If anyone else would like to help Rick out, even though you may have never met this wonderful man whom we all adore and treasure, he would be deeply touched by your concern and generosity. Rick has enriched so many lives during his 72 years. It is his turn now to receive the love and generosity from family, friends, and strangers alike.
On the behalf of our brother and his family, we thank you.
Organizer
Becky Brandt DeMercurio
Organizer
Frisco, TX