Jon Zimnick Chemotherapy copays

Hi, my name is Jessica.

My brother Jon and his wife Elaine were both fighting cancer at the same time. Jon put his surgery on hold so that Elaine could have hers first. I am so grateful that as of today she is in remission from breast cancer.

Jon was diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera, rare blood cancer and then he was later diagnosed with lung cancer for which he had surgery to remove the tumors. Unfortunately, cancer returned to his lungs and metastasized to his pancreas, kidneys and brain. He has (at last count)4 large tumors, and some smaller ones in his brain.

Jon's main oncologist is at UPMC in Williamsport PA(University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) and Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN - virtually.

No family lives close by, so my sister-in-law, Elaine does everything to take care of him, as well as providing all of his transportation to doctors appointments, while she works full-time to support my brother's treatment. She was a retail store manager for Walmart for many years, with an hour and 45-minute commute in good weather one way, but after cancer, it was extremely difficult to commute and she still has issues due to her "chemo-brain." They were both on disability till Elaine was able to go back to work at Allstate one year ago today. She had worked insurance before (BCBS), so she found a good job working insurance from home where she can care for her husband.

At the start of the new year, Elaine's company, Allstate switched medical insurance companies for their employees, and the previous one had a zero co-pay. The new co-pay for my brother's chemotherapy is $6000 for one drug AND $1200 for the other drug, a monthly cost of $7,200. He has 2 weeks on the drugs and 2 weeks off the drugs, for the body to recuperate. Elaine has applied for grants to help with the cost. She is doing everything humanly possible to help my brother, her husband. This is a stress that they didn't need. It is crazy how expensive treatment to save your life can be.

Please help my brother. Jon was in the Airforce for 4 years and he loved serving his country. He belongs to but is currently on medical leave from the local chapter of Alternative MC, a sober motorcycle club this is his favorite hobby, for which he is very passionate about. He previously volunteered on the board of directors at Piper Aviation Museum, and currently volunteers on the board of Roads to Freedom Center for independent living in Williamsport, PA - which assists the disabled to be able to stay in their homes. He still is actively involved as best he can be, virtually, with all that he is suffering through. They place personal care aides in the home, provide wheelchairs, etc, and assist with redoing their homes as it pertains to their disabilities, etc. http://www.clincp.org/

Jon was diagnosed while he worked at Verizon for 5 years until they did their mass layoffs.

Jon has such a giving heart. He has spent the past 30 years of his life helping recovering alcoholics. He is a great man, hugely funny, and loves animals.

In August my brother weighed 250 lbs, and as of today, he is at 160 lbs and declining. He sleeps most days, sometimes for 3 or 4 days in a row. The chemo is brutal. It sucks everything out of you to heal you. He can't eat because he is always nauseous. To make matters worse, he is an insulin-dependent diabetic. He is having major issues with his memory, and that is extremely frustrating to him.

We are praying fervently, and remain optimistic. With God all things are possible and we have faith that Jon WILL recover!! Please help my wonderful brother and sister-in-law with these exorbitant costs.

Please share with all your friends, get the word out!!