Ray has stage 4 liver cancer. Ray, a loving grandfather and Vietnam War veteran, is fighting stage 4 metastatic liver cancer linked to Agent Orange exposure. With mounting healthcare costs and pending VA appeals for a better disability rating, he needs immediate support. Your contribution will make a real difference: $25 for meals during hospital stays $50 for a week of essential medications $100 for travel to treatment centers $250-$500+ for comprehensive assistance. Ray is the sun at the center of his family’s universe. Every donation or act of service counts and the family would be eternally grateful. Stand with Ray in his battle against cancer. Time is of the essence. --------------- If you’d like to know more about Ray, his service, his life, and who his people are, please continue below. --------------- A Lifelong Excellent Human Now Battles Stage 4 Cancer He's not just a Veteran... Ray's a friend, father, and grandfather. Hey, my name is Erik. I had the privilege of meeting Ray Trombley two decades ago when began a relationship with my close friend (childhood nanny!), Darcy. Over the years, I really got to know him and what makes him tick. Ray has been there for me in countless ways, from providing emotional support, practical advice, to even offering paid construction work to help my coming-of-age move across the country. I love Ray. I look up to him. And he needs your help. Ray is a true family man, devoted partner, doting father, and cherished grandfather to three precious girls and a boy. He cherishes his family deeply. Ray is an avid lover of the outdoors — a seasoned commercial fisherman and a diligent gardener who adores spending time in nature with his wife and grandchildren. In his free time, he dabbles in beadwork, painting, and even canning delicious jams to share with friends and family. Ray: The Veteran Ray served as a Loadmaster on a UC-123 aircraft during the Vietnam War. While these 34 planes were originally deployed to spray Agent Orange over the jungles of Vietnam, Ray's service came later, when these planes were needed to evacuate troops and equipment following the ceasefire. However these planes were still heavily contaminated with the dioxin from prior spraying missions. Ray carried out his duties as loadmaster and the indirect exposure to Agent Orange has since led to sever health repercussions. NPR: Agent Orange Residual Damage The Battle Ahead Unfortunately, Ray now faces the most formidable challenge of his life: stage 4 metastatic liver cancer. Your support can bring about a transformative change in his fight against this devastating illness. Immediate Financial Concerns Ray has been working since the young age of 13, displaying a tireless work ethic that only began to wane in 2016 when his health forced him into early retirement. Now reliant on social security and a minimal VA disability pension, Ray and his family face a multitude of financial challenges: Travel and Accommodations: Essential for ongoing treatments at multiple centers. Home Adjustments: Including safety modifications like bathroom rails. Daily Living Expenses: Like food, heating oil, and electricity, which have become increasingly difficult to manage. Advocacy and Financial Battles Ray has been tirelessly advocating for himself since 2005, seeking a higher disability rating from the VA for his exposure to Agent Orange and other service-related conditions like PTSD and hearing loss. Despite the introduction of the PACT Act (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins), aimed at aiding veterans like Ray, his appeals have been consistently denied over the years. Contributions will help expedite these pending appeals, potentially offering Ray better healthcare and living conditions. How You Can Make a Difference $25: Contributes to meals during hospital stays. $50: Covers a week's worth of essential medications like pain relievers and cancer-treatment drugs. $100: Helps with travel costs for treatments and consultations. $250 - $500+: Offers comprehensive assistance, supporting Ray across all areas of need from medicines to home modifications. In lieu of donations, we also welcome helping hands complete home projects that Ray can no longer manage, like a much-needed bathroom renovation and garden maintenance. Final Thoughts Ray has lived his life with an indomitable spirit, always overcoming obstacles through sheer will and independence. But now, with community support and humility, he needs us to stand with him. Every act of generosity counts, and we thank you for being part of Ray’s journey.
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