Help Leo Malloy Kick Cancer

A year ago, I was sitting across from my brother, Leo Malloy  at his dining room table, listening to hours of his exasperated conversations as he tried to find a path through the demoralizing web of health insurance. All he wanted was to receive the necessary testing to determine the best course of treatment for his prostate cancer.  We were fourteen months into the pandemic and it was almost impossible  for many patients to get into the hospitals in the timeframe that  they needed.  In addition to working to try and get appointments, Leo was also in a constant battle with his health insurance company.

At a time when fighting the cancer should have been his primary focus, Leo was forced to  fight his insurance instead to cover tests, scans and procedures, many of which were denied or covered minimally.  Time and time again Leo's only choice was to pay for these costs himself and to continue to push forward to try and heal.

What could I do? My heart ached to watch him go through this pain. I decided to ask his friends and former students  if  they could help with a fundraiser for Leo. All agreed and we had our committee ready to start.  Leo waited until now to authorize us to kick off this fundraiser as he did not want to ask for money until it was absolutely necessary.

Two years ago, he unexpectedly lost his teaching position and with it his health insurance. As he was in excellent health and he expected to get back to work within a few months, he chose a less expensive health insurance.  Since first trying to discover his diagnosis eighteen months ago, Leo spent $28,000 in unreimbursed medical bills from his personal savings account which is now very low.  He must now pay for the next stage in his treatment which began with his hormone replacement therapy about two months ago.  In the coming week Leo begins radiation treatments since surgical resection of his tumor in December has not stopped this highly aggressive form of prostate cancer.  His portion of these bills is estimated to be $30,000 and that is what the money from our fundraiser will be used to pay - any medical bills not covered by insurance since he paid the first $28,000.

He has not been able to work for some time and it is unknown how long it will be before he can work again.  Right now his focus must be fighting the cancer. 

Who is this man? 
Time and time again I was told by others that Leo changes peoples' lives.  I understand this because Leo changed my life as well. When I was 34 years old my husband died suddenly. I had a 2 ½ year old and six-month-old. Leo knew I was suffering and invited me to visit him in Colorado.  That trip marked one of the most significant changes in my life.

Leo took me on a day trip in the mountains and pushed me further than I thought I could ever reach.  I was exhausted, hot and didn’t know how I would get back to the cabin. But then something changed. I quit worrying about the pain. If Leo thought I could do it, then I could.  I found the problem wasn't my body but my mind.  I decided I could do this hike.  When I let go of all the negative thoughts, I saw the beauty surrounding me in the mountains and I knew I wanted beauty back in my life.  I let go of the negativity and self-pity.  I found my potential and my strength.  And most importantly, I started to dream again about my future life.  This day with Leo changed my life.

He used this process for years as a conduit for people to learn how to change their lives.

Leo is a teacher of life.  
He lives his life in service to others in everything he does.  For his entire adult life, when someone needed money, he was there to quietly help the person and did so anonymously if he could get away with it.  He never abandoned a friend, a student or a family member.  He has been there to help us out in hundreds of different ways.

He is passionate about living life to the fullest whether it is hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, river rafting, skiing, mountain climbing or just going for a quiet walk and taking in the beauty surrounding him.  He loves this world and taught his students to respect our earth.

Up until about two years ago Leo lived in the beautiful town of Gunnison, Colorado. He worked at Gunnison School District since 1986 both teaching and coaching.  Here is what a few of his former students wrote about Leo and the impact he’s had on the Gunnison community and their lives-

He spent his life teaching his passion for the outdoors, his belief in the importance of education and  countless hours coaching over thirty years. He dedicated his time and energy into each individual student, and it is difficult to describe the footprint he continues to leave on the lives of his students and the community. 

“The words to describe his character and what students learned by his example include
patience, 
appreciation, 
beauty, 
strength, 
tenacity, 
reciprocity, 
generosity,
thankfulness, 
humility, and 
integrity.

He taught us that our own mental limits can be pushed no matter the challenge that is up ahead.”

Leo is now facing the life-altering challenge of battling  cancer while deciding how to live the best life he can.
As one former student wrote, “My time in the outdoor education program is always a reminder of what Leo taught us - that my own mental limits can be pushed no matter the challenge that is up ahead." 

Please help Leo as he faces the most critical  challenge of his life.  

#HelpLeoMalloyKickCancer