Mark Schroeders Medical Fund
Donation protected
We are setting up this Go Fund Me for Mark Schroeder for his upcoming medical procedure and to assist during his recovery. When I talked to Mark about putting this together, his response was, “ I really don't like asking people for help, I really don't want to put someone out”, and, “I don't know how we are going to make it through this, but what choice do I have?”
This is so typical Mark. Not asking for anything, but always willing to lend a hand. This is one of the good ones people, and now, it's our turn to pay it forward.
Our good friend and long time Scoutmaster for Troop 425 in Chelsea is in needs your help.
Mark Schroeder has been combating a health issue with lesions in his mouth and throat over the past nine years, having undergone several surgeries to remove pre-cancerous growths.
Last month, after a follow up, he received news that an area in his mouth was determined to now show an oral cancer and a fairly aggressive surgery is required to try to put it in check.
The night before his surgery, Mark was met at his front door by members of his local Scout Troop, who came to sing campfire songs for him, with closing vespers in a show of respect and to help him begin the healing process.
On July 6th, Mark went into the U of M for the procedure, which required a partial removal of the inside of the cheek with a skin graft and artery from the left wrist transplanted to the area. They will remove all of the lymph nodes from the area to help prevent further complications and remove the majority of his teeth. The procedure is expected to take 10 - 12 hours. He will spend 5 - 10 days in the ICU following the surgery and will have a trach tube until they can insure proper healing, a clear airway and tolerance for the radiation to follow at about six weeks post surgery. He will have a feeding tube during this time as well as he may have difficulty swallowing due to the soft pallet. Once released from the hospital, Mark will have months of recovery and therapy to adjust to the grafts and reconstruction and relearn how to talk.
With all of this going on, his biggest concern seems to be how quickly he can get back to work to help support his family. Even though he knows he needs time to recover and time to heal, he remains focused on making sure his family is taken care of, and so my friends, this is where we come in.
I think of all the youth that Mark has helped through his fifteen years as a Scoutmaster. How many Eagle Scout projects he has worked on, how many pancake breakfasts, and car washes, and Pow Wow luncheons he has worked on.
I think about how many Junior Leader Trainings he has run, how many Order of the Arrow outings he has attended, how many miles he has put on his truck, hauling the Troop trailer to Summer camps and weekend outings.
I think about how many parents have stood there with him, with pride on their faces as they presented their sons their awards, and I am awed at the number of Eagles he has given wings.
I think about the adults who have trained with him and have been trained by him, and always leading by example, having earned his Wood Badge Beads in an effort to bring even better Scouting to our youth.
I think about all of the parents, who got to have a weekend to themselves because Mark was making sure their child was safe and having fun, traipsing through the woods and camping in a tent.
If we all band together, we can help this man who nevers asks for anything for himself. If everyone he has ever touched, ever helped, ever sat and talked with him simply gave $5.00 I'm sure that we could meet our goal.
Not all will, and many will give more. Now is the time. Please don't give because you feel you need to, but give because you truly want to.
Deductibles, prescriptions, transportation, convalescence, and basic living expenses need to be covered. Please do what you can to help out one who truly deserves your support.
This is so typical Mark. Not asking for anything, but always willing to lend a hand. This is one of the good ones people, and now, it's our turn to pay it forward.
Our good friend and long time Scoutmaster for Troop 425 in Chelsea is in needs your help.
Mark Schroeder has been combating a health issue with lesions in his mouth and throat over the past nine years, having undergone several surgeries to remove pre-cancerous growths.
Last month, after a follow up, he received news that an area in his mouth was determined to now show an oral cancer and a fairly aggressive surgery is required to try to put it in check.
The night before his surgery, Mark was met at his front door by members of his local Scout Troop, who came to sing campfire songs for him, with closing vespers in a show of respect and to help him begin the healing process.
On July 6th, Mark went into the U of M for the procedure, which required a partial removal of the inside of the cheek with a skin graft and artery from the left wrist transplanted to the area. They will remove all of the lymph nodes from the area to help prevent further complications and remove the majority of his teeth. The procedure is expected to take 10 - 12 hours. He will spend 5 - 10 days in the ICU following the surgery and will have a trach tube until they can insure proper healing, a clear airway and tolerance for the radiation to follow at about six weeks post surgery. He will have a feeding tube during this time as well as he may have difficulty swallowing due to the soft pallet. Once released from the hospital, Mark will have months of recovery and therapy to adjust to the grafts and reconstruction and relearn how to talk.
With all of this going on, his biggest concern seems to be how quickly he can get back to work to help support his family. Even though he knows he needs time to recover and time to heal, he remains focused on making sure his family is taken care of, and so my friends, this is where we come in.
I think of all the youth that Mark has helped through his fifteen years as a Scoutmaster. How many Eagle Scout projects he has worked on, how many pancake breakfasts, and car washes, and Pow Wow luncheons he has worked on.
I think about how many Junior Leader Trainings he has run, how many Order of the Arrow outings he has attended, how many miles he has put on his truck, hauling the Troop trailer to Summer camps and weekend outings.
I think about how many parents have stood there with him, with pride on their faces as they presented their sons their awards, and I am awed at the number of Eagles he has given wings.
I think about the adults who have trained with him and have been trained by him, and always leading by example, having earned his Wood Badge Beads in an effort to bring even better Scouting to our youth.
I think about all of the parents, who got to have a weekend to themselves because Mark was making sure their child was safe and having fun, traipsing through the woods and camping in a tent.
If we all band together, we can help this man who nevers asks for anything for himself. If everyone he has ever touched, ever helped, ever sat and talked with him simply gave $5.00 I'm sure that we could meet our goal.
Not all will, and many will give more. Now is the time. Please don't give because you feel you need to, but give because you truly want to.
Deductibles, prescriptions, transportation, convalescence, and basic living expenses need to be covered. Please do what you can to help out one who truly deserves your support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jack Long
Organizer
Chelsea, MI
Michelle Schroeder
Beneficiary
