The fight against cancer

Sharon Weisenborn is a sister, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, and Aunt. She retired 5 years ago, after working her entire adult life in health care, the last 30 years in radiology.

Sharon is a life long Star Trek fan. She is an avid science fiction fan, both movies and books. She has attended, and worked at, numerous scifi and anime conventions over the years. She is a 20yr member of a local scifi club. She loves being at the beach, and spending time with friends and family. She has been a crocheter since she was a teen and has gifted countless baby afghans . Usually you can find her reading or crocheting.

She has been diagnosed with a rare form of head and neck cancer.

She has already had one cancer surgery on her neck and will be having a second surgery soon. After the 2nd surgery the oncologist will decide if chemotherapy will be added to the treatment plan. The current plan is to follow surgery with 35 radiation treatments, over a 7 week period. Should chemotherapy be added to the plan, the medical expenses will go up. Radiation co-pays are $50. per treatment, for 5 days a week for 7 weeks. The cancer center requires payment of the copay before each daily treatment.

Sharon was told the following information by the oncology social worker. There is no financial assistance at all for radiation treatments. There currently are no grants or financial assistance available for head and neck cancer chemo treatments.

Currently, insurance co-payments for all the doctors, diagnostic tests, hospitals, and treatments, along with medication costs. are greater than her monthly income. Many of her medications are not covered by Medicare, and she pays for these in cash from her monthly Social Security payment. Social Security is her only income.

Her daughter, Heather, is disabled and has a very limited income. She is often unable to drive due to migraines and other illnesses.

Should Sharon's treatments cause her to be unable to drive, she will need a driver, which is not provided by her Medicare insurance. This would also be another added expense.

Sharon hopes to be cancer free again someday, to enjoy her retirement with her family and friends, and watch her grandchildren and, great-grands grow up.

She really needs financial assistance with these medical expenses. Any help would be greatly appreciated.