Tammy Efird

My name is Tammy. I’m raising money for my Brother-in-law Tony and my sister Kelly along with the 5 children in their home. Tony was diagnosed with Stage 3 Prostate Cancer (this is the 2nd time in 3 years Tony has battled cancer). He was first diagnosed with kidney cancer and had to have surgery where they removed a kidney. However, he beat cancer the first time, and I know he will again. Then my sister, who was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease years ago, had to quit working and apply for disability, so she has been without a paycheck for the past 3 years. The degenerative disc disease is so far advanced that the surgeons do not feel that surgery could even help her with this pain-crippling disease. If that wasn’t enough, 3 years ago, due to unforeseen circumstances, they had to fight the courts to get custody of their 3 granddaughters. In those past 3 years, they have battled as a family: Tony’s cancer, my sister having to go without a paycheck, and fighting for custody of their 3 grandchildren to keep them out of foster care. My sister has 5 children; 3 are on their own, and 2 are teenagers still at home. Along with everything else they have endured in the last 3 years, her daughter, who is now 19, was diagnosed with autism. One of these instances is horrible on its own, but it’s like it never stops for them. One thing after another. I see Tony and Kelly, and you can see physically how these things have affected them. It’s worn on their faces: swollen eyes, worry lines around their eyes and forehead. Yet if you run into them, they will still greet you with a warm smile and a beautiful hello. I really want to emphasize everything they have gone through in the past 3 years and ask yourself, how do they do it? Tony and Kelly get custody of their 3 granddaughters. Tony is diagnosed with kidney cancer. Tony had to miss work to have surgery and recover. Kelly is considered disabled and cannot work. She even tried a job from home working on the computer, but her neck is so degenerative that she couldn’t sit there and do her job. She literally has tried EVERYTHING because she is such a hard worker. It was really hard for her to go on disability. After 3 years of no paycheck, she finally got her disability, but if anyone knows anything about disability, it doesn’t pay the bills. And there was no back pay for the last 3 years. Then Kelly’s car broke down, so they found a van for $1000. Also, in those 3 years, Kelly’s daughter was diagnosed with autism. Then Tony is now diagnosed with Stage 3 Prostate cancer. He will be out of work for some time to heal after the surgery, which will remove his prostate. Unfortunately, they cannot do radiation as well due to other health issues. Now the van that they found has broken down and to get it fixed is over $2,000 so that is out of the question to get it fixed. The mechanic said it would not be worth fixing because of how old the vehicle is. So now, my sister, who has to take all the kids to their functions at school, has no vehicle. This family is on the verge of losing their home. They’ve already lost one of their vehicles and with children still at home and in school you need a 2nd vehicle. This is a God-fearing family that trusts in God, and despite all they are going through, they trust God. I prayed and asked God what I could do to help them. He led me to GoFundMe. We cannot do it alone. Sometimes it takes a village. I just read this in my Bible today. I hope it touches your heart as it has mine to give to this family. If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit?” ‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭ASV‬‬