Rally with Rich

Family & Friends, 

As many of you know Rich Mullins was recently diagnosed with cancer. On February 24th, Rich went to the ER because he was having severe abdominal pain that had been ongoing since the end of January. He had gone to the doctor earlier that week and was told he had an inflamed gallbladder. He attempted to wait out the pain, but had to return to the hospital without insurance. They then did a CT scan that revealed there were lesions on his liver and pancreas causing the pain with the possibility of cancer. 

The following Wednesday, February 26th he was seen by the Oncologist (cancer doctor) who diagnosed him with incurable cancer of the liver. The next day he had an additional CT scan to see where else the cancer has spread. Rich is scheduled to have a biopsy on March 18th. Answers from the CT and biopsy will not be available until April 1st. Those answers will determine how to proceed with treatment. Rich and his family are hanging in limbo right now with a lot of unknown. This is only the beginning of the long battle ahead for him and his family. 

Due to Richard’s current symptoms he is unable to work and has since closed down his business, Rich Mullins Auto Body shop in Metamora, IL. Rich and his wife Julie currently have no insurance. Although he has applied for total disability through Social Security it will take time and Medicare will kick in only if approved. This would begin the first day of the first month following the 25th total disability payment. They have also applied for assistance through Illinois Cancer Care and OSF. Despite their efforts, any type of coverage will not kick in for a while. Medical expenses have already begun to occur and will continue to pile up through this journey. 

Those of you that know Rich, know that he is a very strong and stubborn individual with a great sense of humor.  He always puts his family and friends first. Richard is the youngest of 9 siblings and is married to his high school sweetheart Julie Mullins. He is a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin. He is a proud Grandpa of four grandchildren and another grand baby on the way, due in July. He has a lot to live for and is not giving up without a hard fight. Help stand behind him, Julie and their sons Jimmy (Gina) and Matt (Casey) during this difficult time. 

Richard has a heart of gold and would do anything to help out any one of us in our time of need. So I’m asking at this vulnerable time in his life, that we rally behind him and his family as he takes on this fight. Every penny and every prayer counts. A little goes along way and can help alleviate the stress of financial issues.