Financial Assistance for Tim Hamm

My name is Beverly Hamm Messer. Earlier last year my brother, Tim Hamm, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer brought on by years of acid reflux. He endured several months of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, followed by major surgery to remove part of his esophagus, as well as remove part of his stomach. Much of his stomach was stretched to connect to what remained of his esophagus. It has been a long recovery, and an adjustment period, learning to live with a smaller stomach. Thankfully, surgery was successful and he was deemed cancer-free, but he now has to go through immunotherapy treatments every twenty-eight days for a full year. Each treatment will cost him $1,600.00 after insurance has paid their share, and his monthly income doesn't cover that, as he is on a fixed income.

Along with the cost of treatments, future testing, PET scans, and medical procedures that may arise, the costs feel overwhelming. Tim is a caring, giving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, and a loyal friend to all who know him. He has looked into assistance through several avenues, but there is no promise it will come through. The stress over the financial burden is more to deal with on top of his recovery; fighting cancer is not cheap. Our family is reaching out to all friends and family for a little help, to ease some of the pressure that those high medical costs bring.