This is generally not the way we go about things in our family, but I figure because of the extreme circumstances I would reach out to you.
I would like to tell you a story about my father, Sr. Master Sergeant Mark R. Farrington (USAF, RET.), my best friend and one of the greatest men to ever bless this earth.
You see, my father is the type of guy who has always put others before himself, not just his family and friends, but strangers and, at times, his rivals, as well. I have witnessed him spend his last few dollars on someone he didn’t know but who he believed needed it more than he and I have seen him devote his time and attention to everyone else and their needs rather than ever focusing on his own. And still, to this very day, if you ask my father what his dreams and hopes are, his responses are centered around those in his life that he holds and loves so dearly.
My father is a thirty-four-year veteran in the United States Air Force and after the events of September 11, 2001, he was reactivated from the reserves and ready to serve in any capacity. Shortly following the event of 9/11, he was deployed throughout the Middle East to Iraq, Afghan., Qatar, Kuwait and more. Many of these deployments he willingly volunteered for because he believed by going himself that some young soldier somewhere wouldn’t have to. My father is a leader, and the number of awards, advancements, opportunities, but most importantly, people who have ever had the opportunity to meet him can easily attest to his character and commitment.
My father, after over three decades of service, retired from the Air Force in 2017 and was ready to settle down with my mother and his dogs for the first time in 16 years. Unfortunately, the contentment of retirement was cut short.
During my father’s years of service and deployments to the Middle East, he was exposed to harmful toxins caused by proximity and constant exposure to “burn pits” as well as not having reliable access to protective gear from the consistent sunlight. And, in 2022, the effects of those variables came to light.
It started as a bump on his upper arm and my father felt something was wrong and went to a dermatologist who immediately identified it skin cancer. And, after testing and biopsies, he was diagnosed with Stage 3A Malignant Melanoma. Shortly after, he began an immunotherapy treatment called Keytruda.
During the year of Keytruda, my father was sick with incredible nausea and a growing headache, tired and going through most of the symptoms one would expect with cancer treatment.” But through it all, my father powered through and on January 5, 2023, was told that he was ‘cancer free’ and could take a break in treatment because of the headache he was experiencing. The next day, January 6, 2023, my mother brought my father to the emergency room with an unbearable headache.
It was at that point that my father was diagnosed with a tangerine-sized brain tumor in the back right occipital lobe. Through the Grace of God, and a lot of prayer, my father had a successful surgery, and the tumor was removed; now was the start of recovery. After being in a rehabilitation facility, my father was given high-does radiation for six weeks then immediately started on a dual immunotherapy (Obdualog). While on this therapy, the side effects hit so dramatically that he went from weighing 180 pounds of muscle to 155 pounds, was unable to hold food down and barely able to do basic day-to-day tasks.
I came out here in August of 2023 to visit for our birthday; we share one. When my father answered the door, I was stunned to see the strong, towering man I’ve known all my life become so frail and fragile. It was at that moment that I decided to leave my life in North Carolina and move to Indiana to ensure that he was getting the best care and to take some of the burden off of my mother who had been dealing with much of this alone.
Since my arrival, my father has been diagnosed and treated for EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency); a rare,1% side effect from the immunotherapy, which caused him to go into starvation mode before it was diagnosed and treated with the proper medications. In addition, he was also diagnosed with drug-induced microscopic colitis which he was prescribed a steroid that caused “reversible dementia with parkinsonian features” as a side effect. Now, after all these tribulations, my father has remained strong and determined to heal and have time with his family and those he loves. But, as we were finally seeing a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, he is hit with another burden.
A couple of weeks back my father was becoming despondent, non-verbal and unable to move his body. Rushing him to the hospital in the middle of the night, and a few days later to the Indiana University hospital in Indianapolis, we have learned that the immunotherapy has caused toxicity leading to acute heart failure and neurological effects. But still, in the face of all the uncertainty and fear, my father is still determined to be there for his loved ones.
My father has gone through so much and during these times a financial burden has started to arise, causing even more worry for him and my mother. I do not want my dad to worry about anything right now. The only thing he should focus on is getting better and stronger. But, if you know my father, you know how his mind is very capable to focusing on just one singular subject when there is something weighing on him.
My dad is my best friend, and I will do anything in my capabilities to help him in any way as it is what he has always done for others. However, as much as it pains me to say, I am unable to help him with this and humbly come to you for assistance.
My father has done so much for everyone except himself, and I would love to be able to show him how profound an impact he has had on the lives of those he has touched. Would you please help?
My humble and kindest regards,
Michael Farrington
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Why GoFundMe Articles and URLs Appear on Our Website?
Why GoFundMe Articles and URLs Appear on Our Website and How We Support Other GoFundMe Campaigns
At LFEBridge Foundation, we are dedicated to creating a platform where individuals and organizations can maximize their fundraising efforts. As part of our commitment to supporting a wide range of causes, we incorporate articles and URLs from GoFundMe into our website. Here’s why you might see GoFundMe content on our site, how it benefits the fundraising community, and our relationship with GoFundMe:
1. Amplifying Reach for Fundraising Campaigns
Increased Visibility: By featuring GoFundMe articles and URLs on our platform, we help increase the visibility of various fundraising campaigns. This additional exposure can attract more donors and supporters, helping campaigns achieve their goals more quickly.
Cross-Promotional Opportunities: Highlighting campaigns from GoFundMe allows us to support a broader spectrum of causes and connect with a wider audience. This cross-promotion benefits both the campaign organizers and potential donors looking for causes to support.
2. Supporting Campaign Growth
Advertising and Promotion: We understand the importance of visibility in successful fundraising. By showcasing GoFundMe campaigns, we provide an advertising platform that helps these campaigns reach potential donors who might not have discovered them otherwise.
Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with GoFundMe and featuring their campaigns on our site strengthens the fundraising ecosystem, ensuring that worthwhile causes receive the attention and support they deserve.
3. Expanding Donor Networks
Broader Donor Base: Featuring a variety of campaigns from different platforms helps diversify and expand the donor base. This means more people can learn about and contribute to a variety of causes, ultimately driving higher engagement and donations.
Enhanced Outreach: By integrating GoFundMe content, we help campaigns tap into new networks and communities, broadening their reach and potential impact.
How We Help Other GoFundMe Campaigns Grow
1. Featured Campaigns Section
Highlighting Noteworthy Campaigns: We have a dedicated section on our website where we feature noteworthy GoFundMe campaigns. This not only gives these campaigns a spotlight but also encourages visitors to explore and contribute to them.
Rotating Features: To ensure a diverse range of campaigns get visibility, we regularly rotate the featured campaigns. This continuous update keeps the content fresh and engaging for our audience.
2. Social Media Promotion
Sharing Across Platforms: We share selected GoFundMe campaigns on our social media channels to reach a broader audience. Our followers, in turn, can share these posts, amplifying the reach even further.
Engagement Strategies: Utilizing effective engagement strategies, such as storytelling and compelling visuals, we enhance the appeal of these campaigns, driving more traffic and donations.
3. Email Newsletters
Campaign Highlights: Our email newsletters often include highlights of impactful GoFundMe campaigns. By doing so, we bring these causes directly to the inboxes of our subscribers, encouraging more people to get involved and donate.
Donor Updates: We keep our donors informed about the progress and success of the campaigns they have supported, fostering a sense of community and continued engagement.
LFEBridge Foundation's Independence
It’s important to clarify that LFEBridge Foundation is an independent entity and is not part of or affiliated with GoFundMe. While we feature and support GoFundMe campaigns on our site, we operate as a separate foundation dedicated to collecting donations for various causes, similar to GoFundMe. Many of these causes are displayed on our website to provide donors with a wide range of options to support.
Conclusion
By featuring GoFundMe articles and URLs on our website, LFEBridge Foundation supports a wide array of fundraising campaigns, helping them gain the visibility and donations they need to succeed. Through our promotional efforts and strategic partnerships, we aim to create a robust and supportive environment for all fundraising initiatives.
For more information on how we support fundraising campaigns or to explore featured campaigns, visit https://LFEBridge.com or contact us at support@lfebridge.com.
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