John Kotalik's Unspoken Fight

Family and Friends,

We never think it will happen to us. On occasion, when we hear someone has “it” we think- “What if it were me? Would I have the strength, the courage, the humbleness to endure the fight? Could I, would I ask for help?” We would want to know that family friends, and kind-hearted people are there for us helping, in whatever way possible, to endure the journey along with us.

Our brother-in-law, John Kotalik, is fighting a battle that none of us want to fight - the fight against cancer. His 2018 diagnosis was gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. It is a rare type of cancer of the esophagus that now, has spread to his liver. If you read about his type of cancer, you begin to understand the enormity of the fight one has ahead; the endless treatments, surgery, and wearing down of your immune system.

John is 56 years old. A loving husband, dad and grandfather; devoting all he has to his wife, 3 girls, and his grandchildren. If you ask his girls about their dad, they will tell you they wish they could give to him all he has given to them. Even through his sickness, he musters up whatever energy he can to help them and be with them. He may feel like at times giving up, but his love keeps him enduring; cherishing those precious moments even through his pain.


If you know John, you know that he has an unbelievable work ethic. As a matter of fact, over his last 30 years, he has not missed a day of work other than vacation; until of course, these last few months. This has created an enormous financial and emotional burden on their family. It is a viscous cycle: Wanting and needing to go to work but can’t, and when managing to make it to work, makes any chance of recovery harder.  Still a fighter, when John can mange to go to work he does so feeling extremely sick and exhausted. It's the worst worry of someone who has cancer to deal with.

John’s wife, Ann, has been the foundation for their family. She too works full time but has maxed out her time off and the stress is taking its toll on her as well. Conflicted by the need to be there for John and the need to keep their family afloat financially, she is now having to consider securing a second job. Having to worry about getting a second job at a time when time itself is precious is so very difficult.

Most of us imagine our “golden years” as a time to enjoy the fruits of our labor; Relaxing, spending quality time with our loving children, grandchildren, and friends. None of us want to image this time battling a disease that affects everyone in your life.


Your help is urgently needed. We’ve created this go fund me page to help ease the financial and emotional burden for John and Ann to fight this fight together; so they can concentrate on getting treatments for John, support, and allowing them to navigate through this storm without the counterproductive worry that impedes the treatments working to their fullest.

The first step is to help the John and Ann make ends meet with handling their medical and bills that are overdue. Over the next days, weeks, and months ahead they will continue to be at countless doctor appointments, receiving treatments and scans.  As you can imagine the normal costs of everyday living; mortgage, utilities, medical bills, and car loans can be astronomical and build up quickly as theirs have over the last few months.

Your support will enable John and Ann to make ends meet through this difficult time. From the bottom of our hearts we humbly ask for your support.

Here’s how you can support John and Ann with his battle with Cancer.

 
GIVE whatever you can. No donation is too small
PRAYERS Pray for John, Ann, and his family for faith, healing, and strength. Phil 4:13 “I can do all things though Christ who gives me strength” 
SHARE on social media: Click here for the link 
EMAIL this page to your family + friends  gofundme.com/f/john-kotalik-unspoken-fight   

We thank you for your support and God bless each and every one of you!!

Alan & Paula Knapp