This opportunity to write comes at a very good time. I am a single mom of 3 and experiencing baby daddy drama … as if being diagnosed with breast cancer wasn’t enough. In addition, the day I started my new job, I received my diagnosis. What did I do to deserve all of this at one time?!

I have always tried to be a good person, mom, humanitarian, and a faith believer. Also, I have been the one who tells everyone facing adversity that, “God never gives us more than we can bear.” I believe that, so this is a great time to share my message of hope to anyone going through a similar situation.

I am behind on rent, utilities, and almost everything else and yet I still believe! My kids look at me like I am crazy. Hopefully, this testament will be what I leave for them and you! Please help if you can.

Thanks,

Margaret McGriff

Patient: Mr. David McQuerrey

Location: Sierra Vista, AZ

Income: 250% of Poverty Level

Disorder(s): Cancer; Transplants; Blood & Immune Disorders

Chronic Condition: No

2011 has been a struggle to say the least. I am a 32 year old man living in Sierra Vista, Arizona. My wife and I have almost been married and we are now facing lives that neither of us would have imagined. I am a childhood cancer survivor and have been in remission for almost 24 years. When I was8 years old, I was diagnosed with an undifferentiated sarcoma of the liver, had ¾ of my liver removed and then followed up with radiation and chemotherapy. I wasn’t supposed to make it through surgery, and I DID! I wasn’t supported to make it past the age if 10, and I DID! I went on with life cancer free until now.

Almost 24 years later, I am again faced with having liver cancer. The doctors have confirmed and assured me that it is not the same cancer re-occurring, but it is a cancer that is caused by the treatment that I has when I was a child. I underwent such extensive treatment to keep me alive back then, that my liver now is fertile ground for malignant tumors. For the past 24 years, I have had a pretty good life. I got married in 2006, and my wife and I bought a house in 2007. One of the unfortunate side effects of my treatment is that I am sterile and unable to father a child. It has been very hard on my wife and I, as we so desperately want kids. We thought that saving money for AI or adoption would be our greatest obstacle in life, until this March, when our world was turned upside down.

I was suddenly having a lot of stomach discomfort and bleeding issues, so I went to the ER in late March of this year. It has been non-stop since then. The ER doctor did a CT scan and discovered a mass on my liver. My wife and I were devastated, scared and clueless as to the long road ahead. Shortly after, I was released from the 5 day hospital stay; I was diagnosed with portal hypertension and now have to have endoscopies and colonoscopies every 3 months. I also had 14 polyps removed from my colon, which is very rare for someone my age. I later found out that they didn’t get it all and was diagnosed with Hepatecelluar Carcinoma, type of liver cancer. After several months of an extremely hard recovery, endless doctor’s appointments, procedures and scans … it is confirmed that there is no treatment that will reverse my condition. I need a new liver. My liver doctor informed me that my liver disease is quite unique and that I would need to find a transplant center of excellence that is willing to accept my case, given the risk of yet another abdominal surgery. After detailed research and insurance compatibility, my transplant hospital will be the University of California San Francisco in San Francisco, CA. I live in Sierra Vista, AZ, so it presents quite a commuting challenge. I have been out there twice already and underwent transplant evaluation and recently was accepted to be on the transplant list! They fully expect me to receive a liver within a year, given my serious condition and the fact that I have AB+ blood type, (A very good blood type to have as a transplant patient.)

I haven’t been able to work hardly at all due to my recent surgery and numerous doctor’s appointments and procedures. My job pays pretty well, but obviously doesn’t pay if I’m not there and having little to no income has taken a toll on our bills. We are behind 2 months on our mortgage and behind on some other smaller bills. Between travel expenses to UCSF and all other monthly bills, my wife’s salary just isn’t enough to compensate me being almost completely out of work. The doctors have reassured me that I will be able to fully recover from the transplant and be able to go back to work eventually and continue with my life. We have just fallen behind because of our unfortunate circumstances and need some assistance to help us catch up. I will be working part-time until I am called for a transplant and my job is secure and will be waiting for me after I fully recover from the transplant. This program is exactly what we need to get back on our feet and anything you can do to help is appreciated more than you will ever know. Its going to be a long road ahead for my wife and I and knowing that we will still have our home after all of this is said and done will provide us with constant comfort and peace along the journey.

Thank you again for your consideration,

David McQuerrey

Patient: Ms. Gloria Collins

Location: Laurelton, NY

Income: Below Poverty Level

Disorder(s): Cancer; Women’s Health Disorders; Blood & Immune Disorders

Chronic Condition: Yes

My name is Gloria Collins. I am from Jamaica, West Indies and I worked as a dental assistant. I am now a citizen of the US. At this present moment, I am not working so I am seeking assistance because I was laid off. I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer & I need help with paying both my medical bills & rent. Please help by donating today.

Sincerely,

Gloria

Patient: Ms. Norma Melendez

Location: Queens Village, NY

Income: Below Poverty Level

Disorder(s): Cancer; Digestive Disorders; Blood & Immune Disorders

Chronic Condition: Yes

I was diagnosed with Gastric Cancer in March 2008. I underwent surgery in March 2008 and had 4 months of chemotherapy with 6 weeks of radiation therapy. I felt very bad, because it was frustrating when I was told that I had to go into treatment because of the side effects. I cried daily because of the pain and symptoms. Most of all, I worried about my children: Jessica – 17 years old; Stephanie – 15 years old; Maria – 10 years old & Jose – 7 years old. My eldest daughter understood what I was going through, but my youngest daughter was terrified that I was going to die.

Then in December 2009, I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. I had chemotherapy that was too strong and was admitted to the hospital because of the strong side effects. Then they gave me a lessened strength chemo. I felt very debilitated with a lot of pain in my bones and I then received 5 additional weeks of radiation therapy. I am presently still receiving chemotherapy at Queens Hospital Center.

If you can donate to help me buy clothes for my children and myself and help with additional bills … I would greatly appreciate it. I am currently not working, bit I receive SSI, which there isn’t much I can afford. I would appreciate any help you can offer.

Sincerely,

Norma

Patient: Mr. Charles Gary

Location: Havana, FL

Income: Below Poverty Level

Disorder(s): Cancer; Digestive Disorders; Blood & Immune Disorders

Chronic Condition: Yes

I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and I need help because I can’t seem to make it alone at this time in life. I’ve never had to ask for any help until now and I would appreciate any help you can offer.

Sincerely,

Charles

Patient: Mr. Ira Hunter

Location: Tallahassee, FL

Income: Below Poverty Level

Disorder(s): Cancer; Digestive Disorders; Blood & Immune Disorders

Chronic Condition: Yes

I have Prostate Cancer on top of a debilitating immune disorder. My medical bills are continually piling up and I can’t make ends meet. I would appreciate any help you can offer.

Thank you,

Ira

Patient: Mr. Michael Hayes

Location: Tallahassee, FL

Age: 61

Income: Below Poverty Level

Disorder(s): Blood & Immune; Cancer; Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders Elderly Health; Chronic Condition: Yes

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer two and a half years ago. I had my prostate removed, recovered and went back to my 2 jobs, In July of this year, one of my jobs, at Famous Dave’s here in Tallahassee, closed suddenly owing me and other employees a month’s salary. In August of this year, I was laid off of my other job. I worked both of these jobs for approximately six years. When I encountered both of these job losses, Dr. Verday also told me that my cancer had returned. I do experience side effects from my radiation treatments. I am extremely tired and feel strange sensations. Still, I am looking for work, but right now I am faced with the possibility of becoming homeless. If I just had a little help, I could make it through.

ANY DONATIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIEATED!

Patient: Mr. Michal Gluszcz

Location: Greenville, FL

Age: 31

Income: Below Poverty Level

Disorder(s): Blood & Immune; Cancer; Brain & Spine Disorders

Chronic Condition: No

In September I was diagnosed with a Stage 3 Brain Tumor. At the time, I had a stroke and was in the hospital, is when they discovered the tumor ... I was also unemployed and without health insurance. I currently live with my mother. She is the one that provides right now all that I need – housing, food, medications, transportation, helps with medical bills and all of my other hospital expenses that are getting very expensive.

If you could help us with some of the medical/everyday expenses it would help a lot. My mother is working, full-time but her salary is low and it’s very hard to keep up with everything around the house since my right side isn’t mobile. I need help with everything: preparing my medications, getting dressed, etc. My condition is serious so any type of financial assistance would be much appreciated. I can’t help with anything and if I could just get assistance with some of these bills could, we might be able to make it through.

ANY DONATIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIEATED!

Patient: Nickolaus Hodgson

Location: Knoxville, TN

Age: 4

Income: Below Poverty Level

Disorder(s): Blood & Immune; Heart & Lung Disorders; Brain & Spine Disorders; Newborn & Childhood Disorders; Muscles, joints, Bones, Ligament, Tendons & Nerve Disorders

Chronic Condition: Yes

In August of 2006, we learned that we would be welcoming another child into our family. In late November of that same year, we got the phone call that no parents-to-be want to receive: “There is something wrong with your quad screen blood results.” (Typically, the quad screen is done between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy. Results of the quad screen indicated your risk of carrying a baby who has certain developmental or chromosomal conditions, such as spinal bifida or Down Syndrome – no whether your baby actually has these conditions.) We were advised to get tested via an amniocentesis at the University of TN Medical Center.

We did so and waited for what seemed an eternity for the results to come back in. We learned that baby was okay and it was definitely a boy. So we decided on the name Nickolaus Alezander for him.

The rest of the pregnancy went fairly smoothly except for the week before his birth, I had irregular contractions that never fell into a nice, set pattern. On Saturday, April 7, 2007 I delivered him at St Mary’s Hospital at 12:03 pm. He weighed 7 lbs 10 oz, He was healthy except he didn’t pass his newborn hearing screen tests. The doctor said that they could retest him at TN School for the Deaf just make sure things were okay. They did and he passed at that time.

It was at his 6 week well baby checkup that the pediatrician noticed that he had a heart murmur and some trouble breathing. She placed him on a nebulizer for use at home and set up for him to see a pediatric cardiologist to check out the heart murmur. It was there that the Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) was diagnosed. ASD is sometimes referred to has a hole in the heart – which is a type of congenital heart defect in which there is an abnormal opening in the diving wall between the upper filling chambers in the heart (the atria).

By most babies first birthdays, they are trying to talk and take their first steps. Sadly, Nickolaus was not doing either if these things. When we brought this up at his one year checkup, the doctor basically told us to stop worrying so much and that it was “just a phase” and he’d catch up soon enough.

Well, at his eighteen month well-child visit, again we voiced our concerns and also mentioned that he was not sleeping all night. Again, we got the same response from the doctor.

At that time, we decided to get in though with the TN Early Intervention Services (TEIS), We had worked with them before when our youngest daughter had hearing and speech problems. Kristy and the other team members from TEIS came to our home and did a complete evaluation on him. They declared that he was developmentally and speech delayed therefore qualifying him for services through though them, TEIS helped us get speech and physical therapy, along with occupational therapy for him.

It was a chance trip to the mall where we met a lady named Emily, whose son had an arachnoid tumor. She told us about how great her son’s doctor was and get us his information. The next day we called and set up an appointment for Nicklaus to get seen.. Dr. Russell Rhea was more than what Emily described him as. He really took the time to listen to our concerns and discuss what we were looking for as far as what we wanted for Nickolaus. He completely understood our frustrations with being told by previous doctors that it was “just a phase” or “to stop worrying so much.” He made sure that Nickolaus got the therapies he needed as well as get him to see Dr. Weinstein, a physiatrist.

Even though we had to wait almost six months to see Dr. Weinstein, we are so glad we did. She first started by prescribing medication to help sleep at night, which was something that he never had done before. We had been so used to him staying up until 2:30 or 3 AM to then have him wide awake by 6 AM! Trust me; this doesn’t make for a fun lifestyle. We were so happy that he was able to sleep through the night. She also arranged for him to get foot braces for his feet since he has foot pronation.

Currently, Nickolaus is enrolled in the Knox County School Systems Childfind Program which is a special education needs preschool. He is also getting speech therapy in the home as well receiving Occupational and Physical Therapy through Blount County Pediatric Rehab Services in Alcoa. We are also waiting on Vanderbilt University to arrange Fragile X testing for Nickolaus.

We are asking for the assistance to help offset some of the growing medical costs for Nickolaus – Including having a safe, reliable vehicle to allow us to go back and forth to his many doctors’ appointments and needed trips to Vanderbilt Hospital. Also, some of this cost will assist in acquiring the specially designed shoes which would best assist in supporting Nickolaus and fitting his braces correctly.

ANY DONATIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIEATED!