Help Lisa Fight Stomach Cancer and Finances
Donation protected
I am calling on friends, family, and the wider community of compassionate givers for help on behalf of my sister, Lisa Townsend. For over a year now, Stage IV stomach cancer has attacked her health, but it has not diminished her faith, courage, dignity, and optimism. Every day, she fights for her life with grace and a smile.
Recently, however, she has come up against a financial obstacle caused by her long-term disability company which threatens her well-being in a time when she needs to focus on her health. We are hoping to alleviate the stress caused by this company so she can concentrate on what is most important to her - her health, family, and loved ones.
To provide some background - Lisa has been on long-term disability with Mutual of Omaha since her short-term disability expired and has received from them an extremely limited amount of income. As with many people diagnosed with cancer, Lisa struggles with paying her regular bills in addition to the onslaught of medical bills, making payment arrangements and applying for loan forgiveness where she can. When it came time to apply for Social Security, she was strongly encouraged by Mutual of Omaha to use their lawyers to aid her in applying for social security and disability benefits. Upon inquiring about the expense, she was told their fees would come off the top of what she was awarded from Social Security and it would not be too expensive. At the time, Lisa was dealing with some medical setbacks that left her in and out of hospitals. So, trusting that this company had her best interest at heart and too overwhelmed with health issues to handle this on her own, she took them up on their offer to make the process easier on her. What Lisa was not told at the time was that the company would require her to pay back in full the entire amount of the money she was retro paid by social security immediately, stating that they overpaid her based on what the social security administration deemed she should be getting.
And what of the lawyer’s fees that would supposedly “not be too expensive”? The lawyers charged Lisa nearly $2,000, which came off the top of what she was given. With the remainder, and not knowing she had to pay it all back, Lisa chose to pay as many bills and medical expenses as she possibly could, including purchasing an adjustable bed. Lisa had been sleeping in a recliner since she was diagnosed, which led to pressure sores due to the lack of mobility offered by the recliner. At this point, Lisa does not have enough money to pay Mutual of Omaha back in full.
We feel this is an injustice to Lisa; a callous and heartless cash-grab on the part of a company whose humanity is overridden by profit-seeking. We are hoping you will find it in your hearts to join us in helping her pay back this money. Although her income is less than she thought it would be, Lisa does not feel right asking for any amount over what she owes her long-term disability company, but if people happen to donate over the $6,500 goal, you are assured whatever remains will go directly to paying her utility and medical bills.
If you have read this far, thank you so much for listening to Lisa’s plight. We are truly thankful for every person’s prayers, positive thoughts, words of encouragement, and donations. With all the unrest in our world today, it is encouraging to be reminded of how much kindness and goodness is still out there.
Recently, however, she has come up against a financial obstacle caused by her long-term disability company which threatens her well-being in a time when she needs to focus on her health. We are hoping to alleviate the stress caused by this company so she can concentrate on what is most important to her - her health, family, and loved ones.
To provide some background - Lisa has been on long-term disability with Mutual of Omaha since her short-term disability expired and has received from them an extremely limited amount of income. As with many people diagnosed with cancer, Lisa struggles with paying her regular bills in addition to the onslaught of medical bills, making payment arrangements and applying for loan forgiveness where she can. When it came time to apply for Social Security, she was strongly encouraged by Mutual of Omaha to use their lawyers to aid her in applying for social security and disability benefits. Upon inquiring about the expense, she was told their fees would come off the top of what she was awarded from Social Security and it would not be too expensive. At the time, Lisa was dealing with some medical setbacks that left her in and out of hospitals. So, trusting that this company had her best interest at heart and too overwhelmed with health issues to handle this on her own, she took them up on their offer to make the process easier on her. What Lisa was not told at the time was that the company would require her to pay back in full the entire amount of the money she was retro paid by social security immediately, stating that they overpaid her based on what the social security administration deemed she should be getting.
And what of the lawyer’s fees that would supposedly “not be too expensive”? The lawyers charged Lisa nearly $2,000, which came off the top of what she was given. With the remainder, and not knowing she had to pay it all back, Lisa chose to pay as many bills and medical expenses as she possibly could, including purchasing an adjustable bed. Lisa had been sleeping in a recliner since she was diagnosed, which led to pressure sores due to the lack of mobility offered by the recliner. At this point, Lisa does not have enough money to pay Mutual of Omaha back in full.
We feel this is an injustice to Lisa; a callous and heartless cash-grab on the part of a company whose humanity is overridden by profit-seeking. We are hoping you will find it in your hearts to join us in helping her pay back this money. Although her income is less than she thought it would be, Lisa does not feel right asking for any amount over what she owes her long-term disability company, but if people happen to donate over the $6,500 goal, you are assured whatever remains will go directly to paying her utility and medical bills.
If you have read this far, thank you so much for listening to Lisa’s plight. We are truly thankful for every person’s prayers, positive thoughts, words of encouragement, and donations. With all the unrest in our world today, it is encouraging to be reminded of how much kindness and goodness is still out there.
Organizer and beneficiary
Shannon Day
Organizer
DesMoines, WA
Lisa Townsend
Beneficiary