Support Barbara as she fights cancer

Mary Ahmann is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Bruce Peterka.

Donation protected

We are asking for your financial support of Barbara and Bruce Peterka as they face Barbara’s cancer treatments.

As many of you know, Barbara Peterka was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) in 2022. After grinding through all the chemo treatments, she went into remission! Friends across the country celebrated with Barbara and Bruce!

But now, the cancer is back.

In July 2024, Barbara started intense chemo at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa which will be followed by a stem cell transplant.

Here is their story:

Hi, my name is Bruce Peterka. This is the love of my life, Barbara. We have been married for 30 years as of June 25, 2024. The first time I really saw her, I was looking at her through a mirror while getting my hair cut. We haven't been apart since. She is everything to me.

On October 19th, 2022, we rushed to the hospital under the urgent direction of our physician because of a dramatic blood test result stating her platelets, those small blood cell fragments that form clots and stop bleeding, were at 7, normal range is 143-392. A number this low meant she was in grave danger if injured. She was admitted from the emergency room immediately to receive blood transfusion(s) and diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). She spent 3 months in the hospital undergoing chemo treatments with additional treatments until late March 2023. Even with insurance, there were so many expenses and bills. I traveled over an hour from home everyday to the hospital to be at her side, bringing anything to support her.

Fast forward a short year, the cancer has returned, a relapse. Our best option was to seek out help in Tampa, FL at Moffitt Cancer Center. We live in Naples, some 2 1/2 hours south of Tampa. Our 1st miracle was seeing a world-class Hematologist within a week, the 2nd was his effort to admit Barbara on Monday, July 1st, 2024.

Being ill is never pleasant or easy, it is uncomfortable but cancer treatments are brutal. They take weeks or months. Food has no taste, hair loss, weight loss, weakness, upset stomach and more, and more. What could be worse? Doing it again, twice (Chemo followed by a Stem Cell Transplant). This is what she is facing... I love her so.

We always say “What can we do to help?”. Well now we have the chance to help Barbara and Bruce.

During the first round of cancer treatments, Bruce and Barbara’s out of pocket medical bills after insurance were in the six figures.

This time, the chemo out of pocket costs are estimated to be over $122,000. The stem cell transplant numbers are not in yet.

The list is overwhelming, and not yet complete.

Here is a breakdown of the estimated chemo related expenses:

Hospital Room $31,750

Pharmacy (Chemo and other drugs) $20,280

Labs $28,035

Scans $5,340

Operating Rm (Bone Biopsies x3) $7,145

Blood Products $27,688

IV Mgmt $1,000

ER Room $1,092

Post Treatment: There will be costs for Tampa housing, labs, rejection drugs, cataracts, and so much more. Estimates below.

Cataracts $8,280

Follow-up Labs and Dr. Consults $2,500

Housing in Tampa for 6 months $13,200.

Please contact us if you would like additional details to the billing estimates.

From Bruce: We are asking for your help with the medical costs. Any funds over our expenses will be donated to Hope Lodge, Moffitt Cancer research, and the Leukemia Society.

We are so very grateful for any help you can share with us.

Bruce Peterka