Israel's Fight For Life

Hi there, my name is Shiloh and I am raising funds in support of my friend, Israel.

 

This past Monday, the 13th of September, my friend Israel received the devastating news that he has aggressive cancer in various places throughout his body. I have watched Israel fight cancer to the point where he had it beat, only to see it return with aggressive determination and devastating intentions.

 

I have personally known Israel for four years and first met him while serving him in my store. He stood as a man, a picture of health, ever-smiling, ready for a chat and open to help those around him at any time. Little did I know at the time, the challenges he faced with his health crisis.

 

As time went on, I learned of the challenge he faced daily, literally fighting for his life.

He was diagnosed with Stage 3 Bowel Cancer mid 2020 and went through intense chemo to follow up surgery to remove the tumor. But earlier on this year, he told me the news that he had been cleared of cancer, and that it was now time to celebrate and to live life to the fullest. Again, he returned to that picture of health I remembered as his body regained the weight it had lost, the grey left his face, the hope returned to his eyes and he smiled that REAL smile again. He inspires those around him without even realizing it.

 

In January 2020 Israel, affectionately known as The Captain, opened a local bar and restaurant in which he used his profile to support the local community and businesses, including my own, as well as run several fundraisers supporting cancer charities. He dedicated much of his time to these causes and was passionate about them. Sadly he was forced to walk away from said business early in 2021 after a breakup and has tried since then to get life back on track.

On Monday, Israel posted a heart-wrenching video that really hit home to many of us, announcing his situation as cancer once again turns his life upside down, and made me realize that it is time to move into action and do what we can to help support an honest person with an honest need for assistance. Cancer has not only returned but it has metastasised and spread into different areas and organs. He has been told that the cancer is inoperable. This is his 3rd round of cancer since first diagnosed in 2015. 

 

Now I reach out to others, to help me help Israel as he faces this challenge once again. My friend is now well researched as you would expect, and is putting into play a new plan of defense involving new dietary structures, alternative medications, IV's and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. He struggled big time with chemo treatments suffering severe side effects and is looking into several alternative forms of therapies as a result, all of which are not funded by the health system and come at a big cost. He will also be faced with the fact that at some point in the near future he will have to resign from his job. On top of this his car also recently broke down is borrowing one from a friend until he can fund repairs.

 

The Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy alone is an expensive avenue and will cost Israel approximately  $20,000 to reach the minimum 80 hours of sessions he requires, with further ongoing treatments extending that cost. 

 

 

In my local area, alongside this GoFundMe page, my business will also be running fundraisers locally with all proceeds going into the funding for Israels Chamber.

 

Please, every bit will count to get us to our goal...

 

 

 

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

 

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

 

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

 

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

 

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.

 

Then, smiling at the man, he said…..“I made a difference for that one.”

 

Original Story by: Loren Eisley