Galina's Funeral Fund
Donation protected
My dear family and friends,
As most of you know, soon after Thanksgiving I was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer. Those four words changed my life forever in a way I hope you will never experience yourself.
At first there was the possibility of surgery, but after further evaluation my doctors concluded this option was too risky.
The cancer diagnosis has also come with unmanageable medical bills. Although I have health insurance, my insurance only covers a fraction of the cost. During this dark and difficult time, I have also been unable to continue working. With so many tests, procedures and prescriptions, we don’t have enough funds to cover all the bills. To date the medical bills have accumulated to about $20,000. I have not even started chemotherapy and other treatment. This amount will only continue to grow as I began the difficult battle of fighting this cancer.
The hardest part so far has been seeing the fear and uncertainly in the eyes of my children. The thought of not being around to see them grow up, finish school, get married breaks my heart. It has also been difficult seeing my husband juggle work, care of the children, hospitals stays and appointments. There is always that difficult choice of going to work so that he can provide for the family or staying near me to support and comfort me during my hours of pain. My 9 year old daughter, Valery, is also a continually worry for my family. She was born with a heart defect and lives life thanks to a pacemaker. Her doctors say that she will have to have another surgery in the near future. This alone has been a great source of pain and fear for me. Pancreatic cancer has magnified all my worries and fears. Our family has had many challenges and difficulties through the years. Now we are about to face one of the most difficult, the possibility of my husband raising our children as a single parent.
It is at these hard moments of reflection that I remember that everything is in God’s hands and my hope is again renewed. There does not seem much options left for me, but I am choosing to hope and to believe in the power of prayer. Will you pray with me for a miracle? I appeal to anyone who is touched by my situation and will be grateful to you and to God for prayers and tangible support.
I continue to pray for all of you also, my dear family and friends, that God will spare you the sadness and sickness that I and my family now experience. Though cancer is my new reality, my God is unchanging. He is my comfort and rock at this time. Thank you to all who are praying and to all who have reached out to me.
I thank you also in advance for any and all donations. No donation is too small. If you are unable to give at this time, will you consider sharing my story with your friends and other family members?
Your financial support means there is one less thing for my family to worry about. Your financial support means I am able to receive the treatment I need. And most importantly, your financial support means all my strength and energy is spent battling this horrible illness and spending time with my precious family. The time I spend with my husband and children is more dear to me now than ever before. No one is guaranteed a tomorrow, and I am more aware of this truth than every before.
May God richly bless you! May He grant peace and health for you and your family this new year!
“When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2
A little about myself for those I have not had the privilege of meeting yet. My name is Galina Tolmachev and I am a 43 years old women. Fourteen years ago life seemed perfect, I moved to America and shortly after got married to a wonderful man. Like most newlyweds, we dreamed and made plans for our life together. We now have been blessed with four children: a son and three daughters. My oldest son is 11 years old and my youngest daughter is 5.
As most of you know, soon after Thanksgiving I was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer. Those four words changed my life forever in a way I hope you will never experience yourself.
At first there was the possibility of surgery, but after further evaluation my doctors concluded this option was too risky.
The cancer diagnosis has also come with unmanageable medical bills. Although I have health insurance, my insurance only covers a fraction of the cost. During this dark and difficult time, I have also been unable to continue working. With so many tests, procedures and prescriptions, we don’t have enough funds to cover all the bills. To date the medical bills have accumulated to about $20,000. I have not even started chemotherapy and other treatment. This amount will only continue to grow as I began the difficult battle of fighting this cancer.
The hardest part so far has been seeing the fear and uncertainly in the eyes of my children. The thought of not being around to see them grow up, finish school, get married breaks my heart. It has also been difficult seeing my husband juggle work, care of the children, hospitals stays and appointments. There is always that difficult choice of going to work so that he can provide for the family or staying near me to support and comfort me during my hours of pain. My 9 year old daughter, Valery, is also a continually worry for my family. She was born with a heart defect and lives life thanks to a pacemaker. Her doctors say that she will have to have another surgery in the near future. This alone has been a great source of pain and fear for me. Pancreatic cancer has magnified all my worries and fears. Our family has had many challenges and difficulties through the years. Now we are about to face one of the most difficult, the possibility of my husband raising our children as a single parent.
It is at these hard moments of reflection that I remember that everything is in God’s hands and my hope is again renewed. There does not seem much options left for me, but I am choosing to hope and to believe in the power of prayer. Will you pray with me for a miracle? I appeal to anyone who is touched by my situation and will be grateful to you and to God for prayers and tangible support.
I continue to pray for all of you also, my dear family and friends, that God will spare you the sadness and sickness that I and my family now experience. Though cancer is my new reality, my God is unchanging. He is my comfort and rock at this time. Thank you to all who are praying and to all who have reached out to me.
I thank you also in advance for any and all donations. No donation is too small. If you are unable to give at this time, will you consider sharing my story with your friends and other family members?
Your financial support means there is one less thing for my family to worry about. Your financial support means I am able to receive the treatment I need. And most importantly, your financial support means all my strength and energy is spent battling this horrible illness and spending time with my precious family. The time I spend with my husband and children is more dear to me now than ever before. No one is guaranteed a tomorrow, and I am more aware of this truth than every before.
May God richly bless you! May He grant peace and health for you and your family this new year!
“When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2
A little about myself for those I have not had the privilege of meeting yet. My name is Galina Tolmachev and I am a 43 years old women. Fourteen years ago life seemed perfect, I moved to America and shortly after got married to a wonderful man. Like most newlyweds, we dreamed and made plans for our life together. We now have been blessed with four children: a son and three daughters. My oldest son is 11 years old and my youngest daughter is 5.
Organizer and beneficiary
Alena Petrashishin
Organizer
Happy Valley, OR
Galina Tolmachev
Beneficiary
