Help Mark Combat Cancer
Donation protected
On Sunday, February 2, 2020, I learned that my brother, Mark DiMeo, had been diagnosed with lung cancer. It was a jolting experience. It shook me to my core. It brought me face to face with true fear, paralyzing emotion. And reminded me that there is so much in life that we cannot control. But with your help, we can take back some control — if you help my brother get a fighting chance in his battle against lung cancer.
Mark has an insurance plan under Cobra; but his deductibles and co-payments are astronomically high. His co-payments for one day of testing cost $1,000 —and this is just the beginning. If you can find it in your heart to give what you can afford, any amount will be greatly appreciated. All funds raised will go directly to medical costs and necessary travel expenses.
Mark is a warrior. He knows how to fight cancer. Mark has accepted the reality, embraced the pain, and found the courage to move forward, one day at a time. Thank you for fighting for him and with him.
And please share this link and the story, below, of Mark’s journey with friends and family: in an email; on Facebook; or on any of your other social media platforms.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mark-combat-cancer
He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother
Mark and I are solar twins. Born one year apart, we share a birthday. The greatest gift our parents ever gave us was each other. There is something unique about the way we understand one another. The connection is hard to describe in a single word. It's the comfort we feel when we sit in the same room, in pure silence, yet we both know how the other is feeling. It's picking up right where we left off, even if it's been weeks, months or years since the last deep conversation. It's the knowledge that, at the end of the day, you'll always be able to call on that person for support.
From the time he was born, Mark has been a collaborator and co-conspirator, my role model and cautionary tale. We know each other as we always were, we know each other’s hearts, we share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.
How can I learn to live in a world that doesn’t include my brother? All my life, I’ve always been my brother’s sister; it’s part of my identity, part of who I am. My brother is part of my past; we share a common history. And we have plans for the future.
The Long and Winding Road
This is not Mark’s first encounter with cancer. In 2010, Mark was diagnosed with liver cancer. His liver deteriorated quickly, but he had a blood disorder that made him ineligible for the organ transplant list. Then one of his doctors saved his life. He found a clinical trial for Mark, one testing an experimental drug to treat his blood disorder. Mark was blessed not to get the placebo drug, and received the experimental medication for the duration of the trial. In less than six months, his body was free of the blood disorder, and he was placed on the transplant list. The long wait began.
Although in a great deal of pain, Mark continued to work while waiting for a donor organ. He was called into the hospital twice and prepped for surgery, only to learn that the donor organ was not viable. Mark never lost his impish sense of humor or his optimism. He shored up the spirits of his family, friends and providers on a daily basis. Then his day came. Mark received his transplant on September 23, 2012. He was up the next day, strolling the corridors with his “date” (his IV pole). I couldn’t keep up with him.
However, Mark faced a whole new set of problems. The anti-rejection medication that he must now take for the rest of his life had side-effects: arthritis, headache, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, abdominal pain and high blood pressure – to name a few. The immunosuppressants that he takes to this day make him so weak that he has been unable to work. He is in constant pain, yet he lives a life that is as full as it possibly can be. All of this he paid for without help - too proud to ask.
The immunosuppressants will likely complicate future cancer treatment. His tumor is fast growing. That is what makes his upcoming lung surgery to remove it so urgent. There has been good news, though. The cancer was discovered early. It has not metastasized. He is being treated by a team of amazing doctors and nurses (including the doctor who saved his life) at Massachusetts General Hospital. Mark says that MGH stands for “Man’s greatest hospital”.
With a Little Help from My Friends
On behalf of Mark and myself, his closest friends and the DiMeo family, I appreciate the outpouring of love, prayers and encouragement shown over the past few weeks, and undoubtedly, in the months to come. Thank you.
Thank you for your support in advance. Every amount helps. Please share with your friends so we can all support Mark in this battle.
Mark has an insurance plan under Cobra; but his deductibles and co-payments are astronomically high. His co-payments for one day of testing cost $1,000 —and this is just the beginning. If you can find it in your heart to give what you can afford, any amount will be greatly appreciated. All funds raised will go directly to medical costs and necessary travel expenses.
Mark is a warrior. He knows how to fight cancer. Mark has accepted the reality, embraced the pain, and found the courage to move forward, one day at a time. Thank you for fighting for him and with him.
And please share this link and the story, below, of Mark’s journey with friends and family: in an email; on Facebook; or on any of your other social media platforms.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mark-combat-cancer
He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother
Mark and I are solar twins. Born one year apart, we share a birthday. The greatest gift our parents ever gave us was each other. There is something unique about the way we understand one another. The connection is hard to describe in a single word. It's the comfort we feel when we sit in the same room, in pure silence, yet we both know how the other is feeling. It's picking up right where we left off, even if it's been weeks, months or years since the last deep conversation. It's the knowledge that, at the end of the day, you'll always be able to call on that person for support.
From the time he was born, Mark has been a collaborator and co-conspirator, my role model and cautionary tale. We know each other as we always were, we know each other’s hearts, we share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.
How can I learn to live in a world that doesn’t include my brother? All my life, I’ve always been my brother’s sister; it’s part of my identity, part of who I am. My brother is part of my past; we share a common history. And we have plans for the future.
The Long and Winding Road
This is not Mark’s first encounter with cancer. In 2010, Mark was diagnosed with liver cancer. His liver deteriorated quickly, but he had a blood disorder that made him ineligible for the organ transplant list. Then one of his doctors saved his life. He found a clinical trial for Mark, one testing an experimental drug to treat his blood disorder. Mark was blessed not to get the placebo drug, and received the experimental medication for the duration of the trial. In less than six months, his body was free of the blood disorder, and he was placed on the transplant list. The long wait began.
Although in a great deal of pain, Mark continued to work while waiting for a donor organ. He was called into the hospital twice and prepped for surgery, only to learn that the donor organ was not viable. Mark never lost his impish sense of humor or his optimism. He shored up the spirits of his family, friends and providers on a daily basis. Then his day came. Mark received his transplant on September 23, 2012. He was up the next day, strolling the corridors with his “date” (his IV pole). I couldn’t keep up with him.
However, Mark faced a whole new set of problems. The anti-rejection medication that he must now take for the rest of his life had side-effects: arthritis, headache, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, abdominal pain and high blood pressure – to name a few. The immunosuppressants that he takes to this day make him so weak that he has been unable to work. He is in constant pain, yet he lives a life that is as full as it possibly can be. All of this he paid for without help - too proud to ask.
The immunosuppressants will likely complicate future cancer treatment. His tumor is fast growing. That is what makes his upcoming lung surgery to remove it so urgent. There has been good news, though. The cancer was discovered early. It has not metastasized. He is being treated by a team of amazing doctors and nurses (including the doctor who saved his life) at Massachusetts General Hospital. Mark says that MGH stands for “Man’s greatest hospital”.
With a Little Help from My Friends
On behalf of Mark and myself, his closest friends and the DiMeo family, I appreciate the outpouring of love, prayers and encouragement shown over the past few weeks, and undoubtedly, in the months to come. Thank you.
Thank you for your support in advance. Every amount helps. Please share with your friends so we can all support Mark in this battle.
Organizer and beneficiary
Claire DiMeo Bee
Organizer
South Portland, ME
Mark DiMeo
Beneficiary