Ed Risak's Medical Expenses
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My dad, Ed Risak, is one of the most incredible human beings in the entire world. He is a nationally renowned artist, educator and business owner as well as a father, grandfather and mentor. He has fallen upon difficult times and his health has rendered him unable to create and work for over 2 years .
In 2015 he went into the doctor's for a lingering cough and was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. He immediately began aggressive treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. In November of that year he traveled back and forth from the upper peninsula of Michigan to Michigan State University in Ann Arbor for several appointments and then for intensive surgery to remove the tumor. Chemo and radiation helped shrink the tumor but he still had 1/5th of his left lung removed. Complications after the surgery left him hospitalized for weeks and lengthened his recovery.
After a long year of recovery and physical therapy it was discovered in October during a routine scan that his T-11 vertebrae was encompassed by a tumor and, weakened from the radiation, severely fractured nearly leaving him paralyzed. The cancer had returned, spreading to his spine and brain. He immediately underwent a second set of surgeries to fuse his spine and remove what they could of the spinal tumor. After surgery he continued with chemotherapy for his brain tumor and what remained of the spinal tumor.
Currently he is recovering from the surgeries and undergoing another round of chemotherapy. He is still unable to work, and medical expenses have been piling up, overwhelming him and his family. He has worked so hard his entire life to support his family and share his knowledge and experience with the art community. He is now asking for some assistance to help him get through this incredibly difficult time. Anything you can do is so immensely appreciated. We thank everyone for their support and prayers as he continues his battle.
In 2015 he went into the doctor's for a lingering cough and was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. He immediately began aggressive treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. In November of that year he traveled back and forth from the upper peninsula of Michigan to Michigan State University in Ann Arbor for several appointments and then for intensive surgery to remove the tumor. Chemo and radiation helped shrink the tumor but he still had 1/5th of his left lung removed. Complications after the surgery left him hospitalized for weeks and lengthened his recovery.
After a long year of recovery and physical therapy it was discovered in October during a routine scan that his T-11 vertebrae was encompassed by a tumor and, weakened from the radiation, severely fractured nearly leaving him paralyzed. The cancer had returned, spreading to his spine and brain. He immediately underwent a second set of surgeries to fuse his spine and remove what they could of the spinal tumor. After surgery he continued with chemotherapy for his brain tumor and what remained of the spinal tumor.
Currently he is recovering from the surgeries and undergoing another round of chemotherapy. He is still unable to work, and medical expenses have been piling up, overwhelming him and his family. He has worked so hard his entire life to support his family and share his knowledge and experience with the art community. He is now asking for some assistance to help him get through this incredibly difficult time. Anything you can do is so immensely appreciated. We thank everyone for their support and prayers as he continues his battle.
Organizer and beneficiary
Thea Risak
Organizer
Marquette, MI
Thea Risak
Beneficiary