Let’s Help Ray Nelson Beat Cancer!!

Hi Friends, Brookhaven Neighbors and Fans of the Kaleidoscope Bartending Team,

I am writing on behalf of my dear friend, Ray Nelson, who is currently battling Stage 4, Squamous Cell Esophageal Cancer.. (aka throat cancer).

I met Ray 15 years ago when he was bartending at The Bucket Shop, still knew him when he transitioned over to the “OG” Kaleidoscope Bartending team in 2010, and STILL know him today, as the kindest, most big-hearted, funniest Golfer and Mets Fan, that ever gave my son Golf Lessons - and helped him make the Chamblee High School Golf Team. Those Golf Lessons turned into me offering to routinely give him rides to work (sort of a barter system of kindness) as we live close by - and those rides turned into always entertaining 10-minute car rides down Dresden.

Some of you may have wondered why he hasn’t been behind the Kpub bar as of late, and well, that is because he has been regularly touring Northside Hospital’s Radiology and Chemotherapy offices. I can attest that he still has his regular “Ray Spirit”, but is also slightly overwhelmed and in significant physical pain.

Which is where YOU can help..! How can I help, you say? Well, Ray is unable to swallow solid foods, so currently, a meal chain is not necessary. He has a feeding port and a chemo port that are basically sustaining his physical needs of both sustenance and cancer-killing medications.

Due to these ports - sitting, standing, walking, laying down and sleeping are a challenge. He would love to get to where he could at least walk around without pain, but isn’t there yet. Baby steps.

Ray is currently halfway through his 2nd week of 13 weeks of daily radiology and chemotherapy appointments. In the meantime, he could really use your donations and encouragement to lighten his load and help him to feel a little less overwhelmed with all of the bills piling up – especially while he is unable to work. But let it be known - he is “working” daily at doing everything he can to beat this cancer.

I drove him to his appointments for Week 1, and let me tell you – it’s A LOT (for him – not for me). Cancer is definitely an overwhelming experience – Neither of us could help making the comment that week of, “HOW DO PEOPLE DO THIS!?”.. There really isn’t any way to be ready for this experience. It’s mental, it's physical, it's emotional and quite simply - relentless. His only option is to keep his head down and his spirits up and barrel through.

If any of you could take a moment to make a donation, I know that Ray would be forever grateful. He is definitely not the kind of person that enjoys asking for help or putting anyone out. I know that he would show the same kindness to anyone - at any time. All funds donated will go directly to Ray’s account and will be used to cover life (rent, utilities, truly annoying hospital parking lot fees) and of course the compounding medical expenses. Trust me, he cannot WAIT to get back to work to serve all of you!

Let’s show Ray that we are ALL here for him and that he will NEVER walk alone. He can DO THIS!!

Team Kaleidoscope, Ray's family and his friends have been so supportive already - please help Team Ray in any way you can. WE CAN DO THIS together.

Best Regards, Happy New Year – and Thank you ALL,

Alison Konrad & Family + The Kaleidoscope Family

“No one is useless in the world who lightens the burdens of another.” – Charles Dickens