Simko Family - Faith Over Fear
Donation protected
How does one put a dollar amount on the need when your entire future is at risk due to catastrophic circumstances? I picked a goal amount for my dear friends regardless and hope that we all can spread the word and keep this family above water; they deserve to be floating on top peacefully.
Please read on to learn how life has taken my dear friends down a road that they handle with tremendous strength and faith. However, it is leaving them in a financial bind to say the least. They are not only about to lose their home, but they are struggling to pay for day to day bills and non-covered medical expenses (a lot!!). Needless to say, saving for the future isn't on the table and Bob was also not renewed for life insurance. Funds are needed immediately and if there is any other way you feel you can help for their short or longer term needs, please reach out.
BEFORE DEPLOYMENT TO RHODA SPAIN, 1986
Here's what happened:
Bob and Kimberlee Simko served in the United States Navy for 15 years, 10 of which were Active Duty. They were both CTRC’s (Cryptologic Technician Chief Petty Officers) who loved their work and were dedicated to protecting our country at all costs. Who knew that 30 years later Bob would pay the price of protecting that freedom.
Bob rode Nuclear submarines for the first 6 years of his naval career. During several of his missions there was no regular berthing available on the boats, so the cryptologists berthing was settled in the same room that the nuclear weapons were stored. His stage 4 Multiple Myeloma was most likely caused from this exposure.
Bob began not feeling well over the summer of 2018, and by the time fall came, he’d had an accident at work which resulted in a fracture in the middle of his back. In October 2018, Bob’s pain was increasing and Kimberlee began to notice some weight loss. He was becoming drawn and tired. This was huge for Bob because he has really never been ill. An avid athlete, he simply had to stop everything. They knew something was wrong. Excruciating pain landed him in the ER on November 28th. After some additional blood work and a cat scan, the ER doctor returned with the grim news. “You’re a very sick man. You’ve got cancer and it looks pretty bad.” His bone marrow test came back, 94% packed with cancer cells. It was cancer of the blood, and there is no cure.
Bob was immediately admitted to the hospital for several weeks, taking blood transfusions, platelet infusions, and beginning 2 types of chemo. He was given 6 months to live. Bob left his job on short term disability, giving the Simko’s 60% of his pay to live on until his disability ended on May 26th, 2019.
On December 1st, 3 days after Bob was diagnosed with cancer, both of Kimberlee’s parents fell ill and began several months of hospitalizations, surgeries, and nursing homes. Kimberlee’s father subsequently died on February 21st, from issues with aortic stenosis. Kimberlee’s mother lived through 5 surgeries, and is now a mere image of the woman she was. In addition to her injury, an 8cm pre-malignant tumor was found in her abdomen, and cannot be removed or treated. Her mother finally returned home on ApriI 23rd. Kimberlee and her sister are providing their mom full time in home care. Kimberlee is also her parents POA and medical POA, handling all of their finances and medical decisions along with her sister, since December 2018.
Bob’s chemo treatments immediately increased to 4 chemo’s per week, running on 28 day cycles for 12 straight months. Kimberlee hasn’t personally worked since December, unable to care for her husband, all of the medical and financial aspects of his cancer and his disability proceedings, her parents and all the responsibilities that have come along with their illnesses and of course her father’s death.
Bob subsequently lost his job and all of their benefits on May 26th due to his inability to return to work because of his stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Their home and all they have worked for in their lives, now in jeopardy.
That home has been “built” with abundant love, memories, and care. It is the place where their children grew up; where they rescued and housed many four legged family members; where Christmas Eve’s were spent with family, friends, and many others. It is their place, and they love it.
Kimberlee shared that it’s hard to look back on your life and realize that you’ve become one of the people that you’ve always helped. They have been humbled beyond measure, taking help from where it comes, and being thankful for it; uncomfortable as it is. Obviously, Bob’s care and life is of the most paramount importance, but the thought of loosing their home or not being able to pay for medical care and medications not covered, weighs heavy on her heart. She knows that God has this, and has been praying for provision during this difficult time.
Thank you for anything you can do to help this wonderful family. I am a good friend of the Simkos and they and their two kids are like family to me and mine. We've worked together, raised our families together and seeing what can happen to people that always put others first, is really hard to see.
Please read on to learn how life has taken my dear friends down a road that they handle with tremendous strength and faith. However, it is leaving them in a financial bind to say the least. They are not only about to lose their home, but they are struggling to pay for day to day bills and non-covered medical expenses (a lot!!). Needless to say, saving for the future isn't on the table and Bob was also not renewed for life insurance. Funds are needed immediately and if there is any other way you feel you can help for their short or longer term needs, please reach out.
BEFORE DEPLOYMENT TO RHODA SPAIN, 1986Here's what happened:
Bob and Kimberlee Simko served in the United States Navy for 15 years, 10 of which were Active Duty. They were both CTRC’s (Cryptologic Technician Chief Petty Officers) who loved their work and were dedicated to protecting our country at all costs. Who knew that 30 years later Bob would pay the price of protecting that freedom.
Bob rode Nuclear submarines for the first 6 years of his naval career. During several of his missions there was no regular berthing available on the boats, so the cryptologists berthing was settled in the same room that the nuclear weapons were stored. His stage 4 Multiple Myeloma was most likely caused from this exposure.
Bob began not feeling well over the summer of 2018, and by the time fall came, he’d had an accident at work which resulted in a fracture in the middle of his back. In October 2018, Bob’s pain was increasing and Kimberlee began to notice some weight loss. He was becoming drawn and tired. This was huge for Bob because he has really never been ill. An avid athlete, he simply had to stop everything. They knew something was wrong. Excruciating pain landed him in the ER on November 28th. After some additional blood work and a cat scan, the ER doctor returned with the grim news. “You’re a very sick man. You’ve got cancer and it looks pretty bad.” His bone marrow test came back, 94% packed with cancer cells. It was cancer of the blood, and there is no cure.
Bob was immediately admitted to the hospital for several weeks, taking blood transfusions, platelet infusions, and beginning 2 types of chemo. He was given 6 months to live. Bob left his job on short term disability, giving the Simko’s 60% of his pay to live on until his disability ended on May 26th, 2019.
On December 1st, 3 days after Bob was diagnosed with cancer, both of Kimberlee’s parents fell ill and began several months of hospitalizations, surgeries, and nursing homes. Kimberlee’s father subsequently died on February 21st, from issues with aortic stenosis. Kimberlee’s mother lived through 5 surgeries, and is now a mere image of the woman she was. In addition to her injury, an 8cm pre-malignant tumor was found in her abdomen, and cannot be removed or treated. Her mother finally returned home on ApriI 23rd. Kimberlee and her sister are providing their mom full time in home care. Kimberlee is also her parents POA and medical POA, handling all of their finances and medical decisions along with her sister, since December 2018.
Bob’s chemo treatments immediately increased to 4 chemo’s per week, running on 28 day cycles for 12 straight months. Kimberlee hasn’t personally worked since December, unable to care for her husband, all of the medical and financial aspects of his cancer and his disability proceedings, her parents and all the responsibilities that have come along with their illnesses and of course her father’s death.
Bob subsequently lost his job and all of their benefits on May 26th due to his inability to return to work because of his stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Their home and all they have worked for in their lives, now in jeopardy.
That home has been “built” with abundant love, memories, and care. It is the place where their children grew up; where they rescued and housed many four legged family members; where Christmas Eve’s were spent with family, friends, and many others. It is their place, and they love it.
Kimberlee shared that it’s hard to look back on your life and realize that you’ve become one of the people that you’ve always helped. They have been humbled beyond measure, taking help from where it comes, and being thankful for it; uncomfortable as it is. Obviously, Bob’s care and life is of the most paramount importance, but the thought of loosing their home or not being able to pay for medical care and medications not covered, weighs heavy on her heart. She knows that God has this, and has been praying for provision during this difficult time.
Thank you for anything you can do to help this wonderful family. I am a good friend of the Simkos and they and their two kids are like family to me and mine. We've worked together, raised our families together and seeing what can happen to people that always put others first, is really hard to see.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa Kopcik
Organizer
Durham, CT
Kimberlee Simko
Beneficiary
