Friends of Frank
Donation protected
Frank May is a 1974 graduate of Western Hills High School, where he wrestled and also played football. During his professional career, as a teacher and coach, Frank was the Head Wrestling Coach at Withrow High School, LaSalle High School and Norwood High School. Most of us know Frank through our association with him in Athletics, and perhaps as a teacher. As with many of us, Frank is a son, a brother, a brother-in-law, an uncle, a Father and a Husband. Regardless of how you know Frank, we all know him as one of the most positive, friendly and warm person that you will ever meet.
But right now, Frank and his family need your help. Two years ago Frank was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer that made its way into his bloodstream, leading to Lymphoma. Frank sought experimental treatment in Columbus, Ohio and he made the weekly trek there for a little over 5 months, with some success. Frank’s Lymphoma is now in remission. Frank and his medical team then turned their attention to his battle against skin cancer. Unfortunately, that battle has not gone well. In early November,2016 Frank was told that there was nothing more that the medical staff could do for him and that as a result, he has somewhere between 3 and 12 months to live. Hearing this, some of Frank’s closest friends have come together and formed a group, known as “Friends of Frank”, for the sole purpose of raising as much money as we can, through donations, to continue to support those immediate family members who counted on Frank for their support. What follows is the story behind our drive to raise as much money as possible, for this purpose.
Following his graduation from college and throughout his 30+ years of teaching and coaching, Frank was the main breadwinner for his family, like many of us. Unlike many of us, Frank’s family has battled adversity from almost the very beginning. A little over 24 years ago, Frank and his wife, Peggy, welcomed the birth of triplets into the world. Tragically, one of those triplets died during childbirth.
Later that same day a second triplet also died, leaving Megan, as the only surviving triplet. Make no mistake about it, Megan is the apple of Frank’s eye, despite being born with Cerebral Palsy. As many of you know, anyone with Cerebral Palsy requires constant care and Frank was, and is, the primary care giver in Megan’s life. A few years following Megan’s birth, Frank’s wife, Peggy, was found to have spinal cord tumors which required surgical removal. This was done, but left Peggy wheelchair bound. Frank has been the primary care giver for Peggy since that surgery, adding to his similar duties for Megan. In fact, Frank was forced to take an early retirement from teaching in order to have enough time to care for both his daughter and his wife.
Insurance benefits, and other financial resources, being what they are, the financial situation for Frank and his family is exactly what you would imagine it to be. Bleak, with an even bleaker future.
The “Friends of Frank” are asking that you find the compassion to make a donation, in whatever amount that you can afford, to “Friends of Frank”. We are also asking that you share Frank’s, and his family’s story with as many others as you can. Every little bit helps.
If you know Frank, you know how warm, friendly and positive he can be. What demonstrates this most is his recent comment about his current situation, that it is “an opportunity for me and my family to do what we can to make sure that my family is taken care of before I pass”. No man should have to carry that burden to his grave. Frank is a fine example of a man, who deserves our help, without ever asking for it himself, in carrying out his wish to do whatever is possible to make sure his family’s situation is as financially stable as possible, when Frank is no longer with us.
“Friends of Frank” simply asks that you make a donation in whatever amount you can, and to share Frank’s story with as many of your friends as you can. If you cannot afford to make a donation, please keep Frank, and his family, in your thoughts and prayers.
But right now, Frank and his family need your help. Two years ago Frank was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer that made its way into his bloodstream, leading to Lymphoma. Frank sought experimental treatment in Columbus, Ohio and he made the weekly trek there for a little over 5 months, with some success. Frank’s Lymphoma is now in remission. Frank and his medical team then turned their attention to his battle against skin cancer. Unfortunately, that battle has not gone well. In early November,2016 Frank was told that there was nothing more that the medical staff could do for him and that as a result, he has somewhere between 3 and 12 months to live. Hearing this, some of Frank’s closest friends have come together and formed a group, known as “Friends of Frank”, for the sole purpose of raising as much money as we can, through donations, to continue to support those immediate family members who counted on Frank for their support. What follows is the story behind our drive to raise as much money as possible, for this purpose.
Following his graduation from college and throughout his 30+ years of teaching and coaching, Frank was the main breadwinner for his family, like many of us. Unlike many of us, Frank’s family has battled adversity from almost the very beginning. A little over 24 years ago, Frank and his wife, Peggy, welcomed the birth of triplets into the world. Tragically, one of those triplets died during childbirth.
Later that same day a second triplet also died, leaving Megan, as the only surviving triplet. Make no mistake about it, Megan is the apple of Frank’s eye, despite being born with Cerebral Palsy. As many of you know, anyone with Cerebral Palsy requires constant care and Frank was, and is, the primary care giver in Megan’s life. A few years following Megan’s birth, Frank’s wife, Peggy, was found to have spinal cord tumors which required surgical removal. This was done, but left Peggy wheelchair bound. Frank has been the primary care giver for Peggy since that surgery, adding to his similar duties for Megan. In fact, Frank was forced to take an early retirement from teaching in order to have enough time to care for both his daughter and his wife.
Insurance benefits, and other financial resources, being what they are, the financial situation for Frank and his family is exactly what you would imagine it to be. Bleak, with an even bleaker future.
The “Friends of Frank” are asking that you find the compassion to make a donation, in whatever amount that you can afford, to “Friends of Frank”. We are also asking that you share Frank’s, and his family’s story with as many others as you can. Every little bit helps.
If you know Frank, you know how warm, friendly and positive he can be. What demonstrates this most is his recent comment about his current situation, that it is “an opportunity for me and my family to do what we can to make sure that my family is taken care of before I pass”. No man should have to carry that burden to his grave. Frank is a fine example of a man, who deserves our help, without ever asking for it himself, in carrying out his wish to do whatever is possible to make sure his family’s situation is as financially stable as possible, when Frank is no longer with us.
“Friends of Frank” simply asks that you make a donation in whatever amount you can, and to share Frank’s story with as many of your friends as you can. If you cannot afford to make a donation, please keep Frank, and his family, in your thoughts and prayers.
Organizer and beneficiary
James Ray
Organizer
Cincinnati, OH
Dick McCoy
Beneficiary
