David’s Travel and Medical Expenses

Hi, my name is Olyvia and I am fundraising on behalf of my father, David P. Whiteman.

On Wednesday, December 27th, 2023 my father went to the emergency department at Potomac Valley Hospital in Keyser, WV where he received the news that he had suffered a heart attack. He was placed on a waiting list for a bed at area hospitals and after being denied by several, he was informed one had accepted his case. The following day, he was transferred by ambulance to Mon General in Morgantown. After extensive testing

(including a heart catheterization that found 3 arteries with blockages of 90% and/or higher) by a team of doctors and medical staff, it was deemed he would need open heart surgery. Unfortunately, after more testing it was determined that the risk of surgery was higher due to multiple factors- diabetes, poor lung and kidney function, and being overweight. He was told that if they proceeded with open heart surgery he would either die on the operating table or he would have a very difficult recovery. The only solution at this time was to place stents over a period of weeks, as to not place too much stress on his kidneys to avoid being placed on dialysis. The placing of these stents will increase blood flow and help keep him alive until open heart can be preformed, if ever. On Sunday, December 31st a procedure was performed for one stent to the worst artery, a.k.a. The Widow Maker. He did fairly well, although he was having trouble with his breathing and said he did not feel the best. He was kept overnight and then released to go home today, January 1st. He, along with my stepmother, Tina, will be making trips to and from doctors appointments in Morgantown in the coming weeks and months for checkups and to complete the other stent placements. In the short amount of time, costs have started accruing not only in travel fees, but medical as well. They reside in Cumberland, MD and the travel time from their home to Morgantown is 1 hour and 15 mins with mileage totaling 71 miles one way. My father is on disability due to his numerous health conditions, so Tina is the sole breadwinner. She works two jobs to make ends meet for them. Her sick time from work is all but used and as we all know, FMLA is unpaid.

My father has volunteered and has helped numerous people in the area and hasn’t for one thing. I want to believe for all of the good he has done, that someone somewhere will help him. Anything will help…even if it’s just $5.00!

If you’ve made it this far, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read about my father’s unfortunate circumstance. If you cannot donate, would you please be willing to share this on social media and spread the word?

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

- Olyvia Whiteman-Crites