Help Stacy fight cancer!!!
Donation protected
Stacy served as a First Responder for 20 years. She was also a volunteer firefighter, EMT, and paramedic for over 15 years.
In January 2020 Stacy got sick and had to stop working. Due to a pulmonary embolism, she lost her job and health insurance.
Stacy was soon after diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases, lupus, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis, and autoimmune hepatitis resulting in stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver. APS caused multiple TIAs and damaged lungs from the pulmonary embolism. Multiple tumors were found on her liver due to cirrhosis, one of which is cancer.
Local doctors said her case was too complex. She was sent to Mayo Clinic. She paid for all of the treatment out of pocket, cashing in all retirement and paying penalties. She spent over $180,000 to be told she needed to go to Oncology. 24 hours prior to appointments they called and cancelled all future appointments without a $50,000 deposit for future care.
With no hope to move forward Stacy went under hospice care.
She then went to her local Primary Care Physician who said there is one last option and sent to another local Oncologist who said he would not give up and made referrals to Emory for last option. The physician stated, "you are a train wreck on paper, but you look amazing!”
Emory is leaving no stone unturned. Stacy is not paying for treatment. Her treatment there includes specialized Proton direct therapy to shrink the tumor until she can have a liver transplant. The one thing that is not covered is her lodging during the treatment and that is why we are asking for help. This treatment is only available in five hospitals around the country and so they will have a substantial amount of travel and accommodation expenses.
Even amongst disease and in failing health, Stacy did not stop. In July 2020, she and her husband Carl formed Loving My Veteran. Loving My Veteran is an advocate for issues facing veterans and their families. Every day Stacy is a voice for others who are suffering from a lack of health care with the VA. She is a voice for the toxic water found on military bases that have left many veterans and their families sick. Stacy even reached out to Erin Brockavich and was featured on Brockavich report.
Below you will find links to so many things Stacy has done for others. We would be honored if you would join us now being there for her and Carl when they need it the most.
https://www.thebrockovichreport.com/p/more-than-pfas-to-clean-up-at-polluted?fbclid=IwAR2_Kklscwac_h6crCuBLe_RLPFU8wgvnPp_BVMol3gTD-fxfTd7aU4cXLw
https://www.newschannel6now.com/app/2021/10/08/veterans-come-together-help-one-their-own-wichita-falls/
Organizer and beneficiary
Erin McCauley
Organizer
Piedmont, OK
Stacy Smith
Beneficiary