Help Billy and Family in Time of Need
Donation protected
Unless you have been there, most people don't realize how financially exhausting a long term illness can be. Hidden medical expenses, unpaid leave from work and travel expenses add up quickly. These are only a few of the reasons we are staring a Gofundme for a friend and his family who could use some help.
Billy Bochicchio is not only a friend but a fellow Montage Mt. Ski Patroller, who has for many years been the volunteer helping others and now he is in need of some help himself. In 2009, Billy was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), which is the most common leukemia in adults. It's a type of cancer that starts in cells that become certain white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow. The cancer cells start in the bone marrow but then go into the blood. In 2011 Billy first started six months of chemo but unfortunately it worked for only six months and then reoccured. This was followed by two more rounds of chemo for six months each, but each time the cancer reoccured. Billy has always been open to trying anything new as well as medical studies. He has been a pharmaceutical research spokesperson for CLL treatment as well as traveling to Washington DC to petition on behalf of cancer patients.
In 2014 Billy tried a new chemo drug which he was on for two years before developing a virus and had to discontinue the medication. After spending three weeks at the Univ of Penn Hospital, Billy was put on a new chemo pill from Aug. 2017 until June 2019. This brings us to the present. After experiencing extreme abdominal pain in Scranton, Billy was rushed down to U. Penn in Philly. There he went through a barrage of testing only to find out his CLL turned into an aggressive, faster growing and larger B cell lymphoma. As I write this, Billy is beginning aggressive Chemo treatments in Philly, which is a constant five day drip. Then he gets to go home for two weeks and then return to Philly for another five days worth of Chemo drip, four times total. Despite difficult circumstances, Billy has faced his illness with tremendous courage and a smile on his face. I encourage you to give what you can to a wonderful family who really need our help now. Remember, every bit helps. Thank You, Joe Budney
Billy Bochicchio is not only a friend but a fellow Montage Mt. Ski Patroller, who has for many years been the volunteer helping others and now he is in need of some help himself. In 2009, Billy was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), which is the most common leukemia in adults. It's a type of cancer that starts in cells that become certain white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow. The cancer cells start in the bone marrow but then go into the blood. In 2011 Billy first started six months of chemo but unfortunately it worked for only six months and then reoccured. This was followed by two more rounds of chemo for six months each, but each time the cancer reoccured. Billy has always been open to trying anything new as well as medical studies. He has been a pharmaceutical research spokesperson for CLL treatment as well as traveling to Washington DC to petition on behalf of cancer patients.
In 2014 Billy tried a new chemo drug which he was on for two years before developing a virus and had to discontinue the medication. After spending three weeks at the Univ of Penn Hospital, Billy was put on a new chemo pill from Aug. 2017 until June 2019. This brings us to the present. After experiencing extreme abdominal pain in Scranton, Billy was rushed down to U. Penn in Philly. There he went through a barrage of testing only to find out his CLL turned into an aggressive, faster growing and larger B cell lymphoma. As I write this, Billy is beginning aggressive Chemo treatments in Philly, which is a constant five day drip. Then he gets to go home for two weeks and then return to Philly for another five days worth of Chemo drip, four times total. Despite difficult circumstances, Billy has faced his illness with tremendous courage and a smile on his face. I encourage you to give what you can to a wonderful family who really need our help now. Remember, every bit helps. Thank You, Joe Budney
Organizer and beneficiary
Christian Budney
Organizer
Scranton, PA
Billy Bochicchio
Beneficiary