Hi to everyone in Team Jeff’s community. I’m Paula and Jeff’s long-time friend, Valerie Normand, and am reaching out to all of you with a special request on their behalf. As many of you have now learned, after Jeff collapsed in Santa Fe at the end of June, an MRI revealed a large brain tumor. He was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, where doctors there recognized the direness of the situation - a mass was pressing against his brainstem and forcing the left side of the brain onto the right side. They said that the most highly trained surgeons, who could rapidly remove the highest percentage of the aggressive tumor, practiced at Barrow Brain & Spine in Phoenix (over 400 miles away). Since insurance would only transport them within 100 miles of UNM, getting him to Barrow required hiring Life Flight. Now in Phoenix, after a surgery that successfully removed 98% of his tumor, Jeff prepares to start chemo and radiation regime this week. There have been many miracles during Jeff’s recently transformed life journey. Jeff and Paula are extremely grateful for every one of them. As you can imagine, the expenses incurred to get Jeff to the most qualified care and stay in Phoenix until he completes initial treatment are significant and have heavily impacted their savings. And these expenses are not over. It’s not easy for them to ask, so that’s why I’m starting this fundraiser. Here’s just some of what they are already dealing with financially: The cost of the Life Flight, and the required on-board medical team, from Albuquerque to Phoenix High cost of accommodations in Phoenix and beyond (while they continue to care for their home and their cat in Santa Fe) Additional travel and lodging costs over the next year required by his need for continued cancer treatment at Barrow Brain & Spine or another specialty facility And with a diagnosis like this, the truth is there will likely be many more, as yet unknown, expenses and challenges to come. They are grateful for insurance and are both excellent planners, however, no one can truly plan for this – the multitude of unplanned expenses for this kind of care is simply staggering. Many of you have expressed a desire to help. If you are able, please consider a contribution that will help Paula and Jeff stay afloat financially during this difficult journey ahead. And know that your generosity, compassion, continued love and support mean the world during this challenging time. With heartfelt gratitude.
Artículos relacionados
