Hi, my name is Derek.
I never imagined I would be in a position where I had to ask for help. I am a United States Air Force Veteran and a Line-of-Duty Disabled Law Enforcement Officer with over 25 years of service to my country and communities. I have spent my life helping others and now I am humbly asking for help for the person who means everything to me.
My wife Tina is an incredible wife and mother to our two children. For the past three years, she has been fighting Stage IV cancer with strength, courage, and grace. Recently, she underwent brain surgery as part of this battle. Watching the woman I love endure this has been the hardest thing our family has ever faced.
Despite insurance and doing everything we can, the medical costs have become overwhelming. Between ongoing cancer treatments, specialty care, medications, travel, recovery needs, and now a major upcoming medical expense, we are drowning in bills. This next phase of treatment carries costs that could completely devastate our family financially.
We are currently trying to raise $10,000 to give Tina the best possible chance at the longest, healthiest, and most meaningful life she can have. Every dollar raised will go directly toward medical treatment, hospital bills, rehabilitation, medications, and essential living expenses so we can focus on what truly matters - keeping Tina here with us.
Asking for help is not easy. But Tina is worth it. Our children deserve more time with their mom. I would give anything to take this burden from her shoulders so she can focus on healing instead of worrying about finances.
If you are able to donate, share, or simply keep Tina in your prayers, we are deeply grateful. Your support gives us hope when we need it most.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with our family.
- Derek
Updates
Tina and I would like to thank everyone who has helped and donated to this fundraiser. When I first broke down enough to ask for help, I was dealing with the fact that she has been battling stage IV cancer for three years now and it had recently traveled to her brain. She was recovering from brain surgery and we committed to taking her to a specialty clinic in Arizona that is dedicated to battling and beating cancer. Unlike our area hospitals and oncologists, these specialists work to find why the cancer is occurring in her body and how to best beat it instead of just continuing to battle it with chemo and radiation.
Originally, this was expected to cost us about $150,000 out of pocket. If you have dealt with cancer, you know it's not cheap in the first place, and that insurance is expensive. So on top of maxing out our insurance and paying tens of thousands of extra dollars out of our pocket each year on top of all the insurance expenses, this was going to mean betting the literal house on this battle.
By the grace of God, we were able to meet in the middle, find a new oncologist in our area who was familiar with the specialty clinic and agreed to work with them. This means we don't have to travel and our out of pocket expenses have dropped. They are still beyond our current means but do not mean literally betting the house at this time.
Everyone who had donated, please understand the impact. Each dollar went straight towards her medical bills that were still outstanding. This allowed us enough breathing room to help with a down payment on the specialty clinic. A huge victory in this battle.
May God bless you all, thank you. We will continue to think about all our blessings as we continue this fight.
We would like everyone who has donated and or prayed for us know how much your assistance appreciated. It is truly a blessing. Thank you.
Donations & Comments
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Continue to stay strong and never give up the fight. You and your family are in our thoughts.
Stay strong!
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. - Psalms 91:2-3 NKJV
God Bless!
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Continued prayes for the Stephen's family!