Hope & Healing for Mickie: Our Community Cares

Hope and Healing for Mickie: A Community’s Call to Care

In recent months, I have had the pleasure of getting to know an amazing person, Mickie Willeford. Mickie is facing an incredibly challenging time and needs your help. Their health journey has been overwhelming, with multiple issues compounding their ability to work, heal, and thrive.

About Mickie

Mickie works as a server and occasional cook at The Waffle House in Gastonia, North Carolina, earning $2.35 per hour plus tips. They are known and loved by the local patrons who frequent the restaurant, often hoping to be served by Mickie. However, frequent seizures, which have occurred at work, make it dangerous for Mickie to work in many industries, including food service.

In their free time, Mickie finds peace and joy in building fully bioactive, self-contained ecosystems for fish or reptiles. These stunning aquariums reflect Mickie’s creativity and passion, and they’ve even considered starting a small business specializing in these impressive tanks. Mickie also shares their home with their beloved cat, Loogie, who brings them comfort and companionship during challenging times.

Mickie is a creative and compassionate individual who has touched the lives of many with their resilience and kindness. Now, they need our help.

The Medical Situation

Mickie has been diagnosed with a fatty mass near the back of their brain, which may be the cause of seizures (for the last five years) and other symptoms. Before the neurosurgeon can proceed with the critical surgery to remove the tumor, an ongoing infection must first be addressed.

On November 18, Mickie will undergo a series of procedures with an ENT specialist, including:

• Tonsil and adenoid removal

• Ear tube insertion

• Treatment for mastoiditis (a persistent and painful ear infection causing some hearing loss)

This surgery is just the first step in a long road ahead, involving additional surgeries, follow-up appointments with specialists, and ongoing prescription costs.

Why We Need Your Help

Mickie’s health insurance covers only a tiny fraction of these mounting medical expenses. They have already depleted their savings to pay for previous treatments and now face the added burden of taking two weeks off work to recover from this surgery.

We are rallying together to raise $6,700 to cover Mickie’s immediate medical and living expenses over the next month. These funds will go toward:

• Surgery costs not covered by insurance

• Follow-up appointments with specialists

• Essential medications

• Living expenses during recovery

How You Can Help

Mickie is one of the kindest and most resilient people I know. Despite everything life has thrown at them, they approach it with courage and a hopeful spirit. Let’s show Mickie they’re not alone in this fight.

Donate: Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference in Mickie’s recovery.

Share: Please share this campaign on social media or with friends who might be able to help.

Your generosity and support mean the world to me, Mickie and everyone rooting for their recovery. Let’s help lift the financial burden so Mickie can focus on what matters most—healing.

Thank you for being part of Mickie’s journey to better health.

With gratitude,

Lucia Mumm