Care and Quality of Life for Steven Socrates

In September, Steven was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer marked by rapidly evolving symptoms. The cancer is terminal, and the prognosis is ultimately uncertain. Our goal is to do everything we can to get him the care he needs and to elevate his quality of life in the time we have left.

Those of you who know the Socrates family will likely be aware of the particular horror and devastation that comes with the receipt of this news. In 2014, Steven lost his wife, Loretta, to complications from lupus. Her illness, too, brought much uncertainty and an unclear prognosis, and lasted for over a decade. During this time, the family endured trauma after trauma as Lore's illness made every attempt on her life. Steven worked harder and longer than anyone I've ever known, barely keeping afloat of the cost of medical bills, hospital stays, and the care she needed, while simultaneously providing for his four children, financially and emotionally. He was unable to save any money, and retirement was never an option.

Earlier in 2019, Steven's father passed away after another long illness. Losing Papou was another crushing blow, as he had always been an integral source of comfort and support for everyone who struggled under the weight of Lore's absence. Steven, again, ensured his father had the necessary care while he was ill, working long hours in order to do so.

I can say, with the utmost sincerity, that Steven Socrates is easily one of the most selfless people I've ever met. I have always been in awe of his perseverance, of his capacity for love and compassion, and of his altruistic need to help others however he can, even while shouldering the weight of unfathomable and neverending grief. He has shepherded his and Lore's four children through the loss of their incredible, powerful mother, and has, on countless occasions, deferred his own needs in favor of their own. He's a wonderful father. A wonderful friend. I know many of you can attest to this, too.

It is deeply, bitterly unfair. I don't know how else to say it. Steven has worked hard all his life to pay for the care of his loved ones, and now he has no savings to put toward his own. He has insurance and will be receiving monthly disability checks, but after doing the math, we've come to realize that this won't be enough. This is the reason for this campaign. Any funds we are able to raise will go toward the following:

-Copays
-One or more caregivers [our goal is for him to have 24-hour care. We plan to hire one caregiver to start, and more if we can afford to. His children are currently providing him care, and doing their best to balance this with school and work and the start of their careers--all of which Steven would be crushed to see them give up. It has been traumatic for everyone, to say the least.]
-Gas/Transportation costs [to and from doctors' offices and the hospital, primarily]
-Apartment (rent/utilities) [so Steven can be near the hospital and closer to potential caregivers]
-Food
-Medical supplies not covered by insurance [wipes, soap, gauze, disinfectant, disposable masks, etc.]
-Funeral costs

Every bit of help--financially or otherwise--every kind message, every show of support, is profoundly, enormously appreciated. I know so many people are struggling, and it's awful that anyone has to do this. This family has just suffered so, so much. If you are able to help in any way, thank you. If you're unable to send money but willing to share this, thank you. Please keep Steven, his kids--Coco, Connor, Elle, and Shea--and his sister, Anna, in your thoughts. The horrid truth is that this is going to get even harder as time goes on. If ever they've needed an outpouring of love and support from their communities, it's now.