Emergency Funds for Bill and Kathy Cox
Donation protected
A Story of Love, Hardship, Hope and Faith
Since meeting at Duluth East High School in the late 1970s, Kathy and Bill have been inseparable. They have experienced many joys throughout their marriage especially the births of their three sons, but have also met many challenges, most significantly these three diseases: Multiple Sclerosis, kidney failure and throat cancer.
As a result, neither Bill nor Kathy has been able to work. They lost their family home, spent their retirement savings and still need basics for room, board and much-needed equipment for Kathy for her most basic needs, including a van for transport.
The fuller story...
In 2001 after years of physical symptoms, Kathy received a devastating diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) at which time she was unable to continuing working as an RN due to extreme leg weakness. Since then her condition has worsened to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). She has been wheelchair-bound since 2008. Her husband Bill and their three adult sons have provided all of her needs including using a Hoyer lift to move her from bed to chair. She does not have access to a bathroom or a bedroom so she sleeps on the main floor in the living room.
Despite the fact that they own a handicapped accessible van, it is 14 years old and needs significant repairs. Kathy has never been able to collect social security as she did not have sufficient work credits before the chronic fatigue of MS kept her from working.
Bill's career as a finance manager was interrupted by a diagnosis of kidney failure in 2016. This required surgery and dialysis treatments three times/15 hours/week. Despite the exhaustion that sets in after dialysis, Bill continued to work as much as possible. He has been hospitalized five times due to complications of kidney failure and dialysis. Bill is in dire need of a kidney transplant and his blood type is A positive.
Due to the complications of health issues and the lack of disability insurance, Bill and Kathy lost their family home of 22 years to foreclosure in 2016. They have also since exhausted their retirement savings as Bill has had to take significant time off to deal with health issues. After achieving the University of Minnesota hospital's rigorous protocol, Bill was approved for the kidney transplant list. He was in the process of a job search when the family was blind-sided by more bad news:
In May 2019, Bill was diagnosed with Stage 3 throat cancer. While there are behaviors that can lead to throat cancer, Bill does not smoke or drink. The tumor in his throat is inoperable without risking his future ability to talk or swallow. His oncologist believes there is a very good likelihood of beating the cancer with the following treatment: two surgeries over two weeks in early June to prepare for treatment; the placement of a feeding tube as well as a port for the chemotherapy; eight weeks of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation; ongoing swallowing therapy; and finally a PET scan after treatment and 20-week recovery period to determine if the treatment has been successful. Unfortunately, cancer treatment will delay a kidney transplant for at least two years.
His doctors advise that it will take an additional 18 months to fully recover swallowing and other capabilities after head and neck radiation which is one of the toughest. Bill looks forward to a full recovery and a return to gainful employment.
The purpose of the request is to pay off existing past due bills, future medical costs, income support/replacement for 6 - 8 months and critical durable medical equipment for Kathy to allow her to live at home and meet minimum standards of care. Examples include a roll-in shower, required RAZ rehab attendant tilt shower chair, a sink to wash her hands, a ceiling lift to get to shower and a wheelchair platform ramp to access the bedroom and bathroom.
Bill and Kathy have spent a lifetime giving to their community. Kathy was a frequent volunteer at Snail Lake elementary and Chippewa Middle School. She also taught Christian Formation classes at St Odilia's and got students involved with delivering donations to the Ralph Reeder food shelf. As an RN, Kathy worked with ventilator dependent quadriplegics over a period of eight years and enjoyed the blessings of caring for others. However, her greatest joy has been in raising her three sons. Her God given love for children has fostered a hope to write children’s books.
Bill coached basketball and baseball in the Mound View school district and was the treasurer for Oak Hill Montessori school and Cub Scout Pack 28. Bill was also a long-time den leader in Pack 28 and was highly involved for years with several United Way charities as a finance consultant and Board member.
Bill and Kathy are humbled by their circumstances, but feel blessed by the love and support they have begun to receive, and it gives them hope. If you are interested in becoming a living Kidney donor for Bill you can call the University of MN Transplant Center at (612) [phone redacted].
If you would prefer sending donations via snail mail, please send to 1430 Hazelcrest Dr, Hudson, WI 54016.
NEW!! Communicate with Kathy and Bill and stay up to date with his cancer treatment on Caring Bridge blog!
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/williamcoxcancer
Since meeting at Duluth East High School in the late 1970s, Kathy and Bill have been inseparable. They have experienced many joys throughout their marriage especially the births of their three sons, but have also met many challenges, most significantly these three diseases: Multiple Sclerosis, kidney failure and throat cancer.
As a result, neither Bill nor Kathy has been able to work. They lost their family home, spent their retirement savings and still need basics for room, board and much-needed equipment for Kathy for her most basic needs, including a van for transport.
The fuller story...
In 2001 after years of physical symptoms, Kathy received a devastating diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) at which time she was unable to continuing working as an RN due to extreme leg weakness. Since then her condition has worsened to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). She has been wheelchair-bound since 2008. Her husband Bill and their three adult sons have provided all of her needs including using a Hoyer lift to move her from bed to chair. She does not have access to a bathroom or a bedroom so she sleeps on the main floor in the living room.
Despite the fact that they own a handicapped accessible van, it is 14 years old and needs significant repairs. Kathy has never been able to collect social security as she did not have sufficient work credits before the chronic fatigue of MS kept her from working.
Bill's career as a finance manager was interrupted by a diagnosis of kidney failure in 2016. This required surgery and dialysis treatments three times/15 hours/week. Despite the exhaustion that sets in after dialysis, Bill continued to work as much as possible. He has been hospitalized five times due to complications of kidney failure and dialysis. Bill is in dire need of a kidney transplant and his blood type is A positive.
Due to the complications of health issues and the lack of disability insurance, Bill and Kathy lost their family home of 22 years to foreclosure in 2016. They have also since exhausted their retirement savings as Bill has had to take significant time off to deal with health issues. After achieving the University of Minnesota hospital's rigorous protocol, Bill was approved for the kidney transplant list. He was in the process of a job search when the family was blind-sided by more bad news:
In May 2019, Bill was diagnosed with Stage 3 throat cancer. While there are behaviors that can lead to throat cancer, Bill does not smoke or drink. The tumor in his throat is inoperable without risking his future ability to talk or swallow. His oncologist believes there is a very good likelihood of beating the cancer with the following treatment: two surgeries over two weeks in early June to prepare for treatment; the placement of a feeding tube as well as a port for the chemotherapy; eight weeks of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation; ongoing swallowing therapy; and finally a PET scan after treatment and 20-week recovery period to determine if the treatment has been successful. Unfortunately, cancer treatment will delay a kidney transplant for at least two years.
His doctors advise that it will take an additional 18 months to fully recover swallowing and other capabilities after head and neck radiation which is one of the toughest. Bill looks forward to a full recovery and a return to gainful employment.
The purpose of the request is to pay off existing past due bills, future medical costs, income support/replacement for 6 - 8 months and critical durable medical equipment for Kathy to allow her to live at home and meet minimum standards of care. Examples include a roll-in shower, required RAZ rehab attendant tilt shower chair, a sink to wash her hands, a ceiling lift to get to shower and a wheelchair platform ramp to access the bedroom and bathroom.
Bill and Kathy have spent a lifetime giving to their community. Kathy was a frequent volunteer at Snail Lake elementary and Chippewa Middle School. She also taught Christian Formation classes at St Odilia's and got students involved with delivering donations to the Ralph Reeder food shelf. As an RN, Kathy worked with ventilator dependent quadriplegics over a period of eight years and enjoyed the blessings of caring for others. However, her greatest joy has been in raising her three sons. Her God given love for children has fostered a hope to write children’s books.
Bill coached basketball and baseball in the Mound View school district and was the treasurer for Oak Hill Montessori school and Cub Scout Pack 28. Bill was also a long-time den leader in Pack 28 and was highly involved for years with several United Way charities as a finance consultant and Board member.
Bill and Kathy are humbled by their circumstances, but feel blessed by the love and support they have begun to receive, and it gives them hope. If you are interested in becoming a living Kidney donor for Bill you can call the University of MN Transplant Center at (612) [phone redacted].
If you would prefer sending donations via snail mail, please send to 1430 Hazelcrest Dr, Hudson, WI 54016.
NEW!! Communicate with Kathy and Bill and stay up to date with his cancer treatment on Caring Bridge blog!
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/williamcoxcancer
Fundraising team: Recovery for Bill and Kathy Cox (2)
Gia Mix DesLauriers
Organizer
Minnetonka, MN
Bill Cox
Team member
