Please support Michael Whelan's Road to Recovery

Hello Everyone. Well, I've finally listened to thousands of you who have lovingly encouraged me almost everyday to create a Go Fund Me Page for my unforseen financial problems that are keeping me from resting and getting the help that I so desperately need. We are doing great. I need to get healthy in order to move forward! We have made incredible positive progress and advancements. Over 700 people have come through and in some cases multiple times. It's a bitter sweet moment as I've had to come to the truthful realization that I can no longer take on my arduous journey alone. The past 4 years have found me falling deeper and deeper into an awful financial abyss. If you've followed me then you're probably aware that I have spent most of my life helping others, but, I haven't done a great job taking care of myself. Most of you know my name - Michael Whelan. Once upon a time I had a great life as a powerful, relevant television executive, and then as a very talented sales executive in the hospitality industry but those days seem like ages ago. Life threatening cancer, mental health and physical life-threatening health problems have destroyed a lot of my dreams. After years of support and suggestions I am finally reaching out with humility and a lot of embarrassment to ask all of you for your support. I cringe everytime I post it. It's incredibly embarrassing. As you may know, my wife and I are currently facing a myriad of ongoing physical health issues, way too many to manage by myself, I have severe depression and a plethora of family health problems that require medical attention and ongoing rehabilitation and so many other issues that need immediate

treatments and attention to. Unfortunately, insurance and personal savings are no longer sufficient to cover ALL of the costs associated with our care without going bankrupt. Thinking that I could manage all of this on my own has not turned out to be one of my best decisions. In fact it's been the wrong decision. I should have listened to many of you years ago. Between taking care of myself, I'm also taking care of Rebecca, the love of my life who is dealing with her ongoing Parkinson's and mental health issues and my Mother In Law in California who is fading quickly from her debilitating depression and early stage dementia and is now in an at home Hospice -- it's all caught up with me. I've helped far too many people and I wouldn't charge a thing, but, it's hurt me financially. I can't do it by myself any longer. I need a big financial life preserver thrown my way. At my age I don't have many choices for employment. I've learned quickly that there's a scarlet letter that most of us senior citizens wear when we are trying to find gainful employment at our age. Without the funds that would allow me to rest until March of 2025 or longer if needed, alleviating all the stress that I'm currently under to pay my bills with a bit of wiggle room, I find myself slowly falling apart into bits and pieces. Thankfully, I'm as strong as hell, optimistic and hopeful. I will Never Ever Give Up my friends! Even if non one contributed another penny. With my head and neck stage 4 cancer, my tongue cancer and now my esophagus Achalasia acting up again, I find myself struggling once again. I'm just not sure how much longer I can go on doing it "my way!" I'm convinced that so much is stress related. It really began in Feb 2018 when Rebecca was diagnosed with Parkinson's then in March of 2020. I was a victim of Covid and all of the collateral damage it's caused me. Like so many others I lost my job and the ability to financially take care of my family. As I knock on the door of 70 years of age I find myself so lost and frustrated as I continue to try and work. I tried to work by accepting a job 4 years ago, but my head and neck cancer would not allow me to talk where people could understand me. Life is very hard without an income. I was diagnosed in 2022 with squamous cell malignant carcinoma in my head and neck and lymph nodes. For over 2 years I woke up everyday horrified what my next test will reveal. To add to the cancer, I also have bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia. A rare respiratory disease which makes it difficult to breathe. I also suffer severely with Bipolar Disorder, depression, anxiety and panic attacks that paralyzes me.

This diagnosis has been a life-altering experience, and I am navigating a complex journey of medical appointments, treatments, and emotional ups and downs. Despite the challenges, I remain hopeful and committed to regaining my health so I can take care of others. The financial burden of medical and living expenses, not just for me, but for others has been overwhelming. I'm the only one who works and my paychecks are almost non existent. In addition to those medical bills, there are so many other costs such as transportation to appointments not just for me but for Rebecca as well, prescription medications, and all of the necessary lifestyle adjustments that happens when life's rug is pulled out from underneath you. At times I am unable to work, which further strains our family’s resources. I've now been out of work on a medical leave for almost 5 months with NO pay as I travel from doctor to doctor along with being the fulltime Care Partner for Rebecca. I also want to raise enough money just in case I don't make it. That's always a possibility. I need to raise enough not just for my end of life expenses but to help Rebecca and all of our rescue animals to pack up out of Orlando and get her back to California so she can be with our family. Right now with her Parkinson's, her mental health issues and her agoraphobia, it's almost impossible for her to go outside of the house on her own. I spend everyday trying to get her new help for her Parkinson's. It's heartbreaking to watch the one you love suffer. If something horrible were to happen it'll take so much work and effort to transport her back with our family.

Your support can make a significant impact. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help alleviate the financial and emotional stress and allow me to focus on my recovery. It's going to take a good bit of time to recharge my battery. Five years seems long unless you're ill. Donations will be used to cover medical, dental and eye bills, essential medications, surguries and our never ending prescriptions and one's everyday related living expenses while. With the few dollars we bring in we're about $2,700 short per month. Your generosity will directly impact our well-being and provide much-needed relief. I have not taken one day off to rest since I was diagnosed with head and neck cancer two years ago and I've paid a big price. With each passing day so many other issues are rearing their ugly head as collateral damage. I can no longer feel my face. Use my shoulders and muscles like I once could. I know longer see well, my esophagus which had been repaired is ruined again ruined where I can no longer eat, drink or breathe properly. Another upcoming endoscopy is days away in December to see what's happening and can they help me to regain some of my health back. All of this requires time and money. Money I can't recuperate. For decades I've been a mental health, cancer and animal advocate helping millions - now I need your help! You can contribute securely through my GoFundMe campaign: My Twitter account @mikejwhelan seems to make the most sense for any contributions that my 25,000+ family and friends can help me. I assumed that all of my 25,000 followers would contribute at least $5 each. I guess I was a bit too optimistic. If you prefer to donate offline, please reach out to me directly by DM and I'd be more than happy to provide my address to send a check and I'd be privileged to provide details on how to make that happen. Even if you are unable to donate personally, sharing my fundraiser with your network of family and friends by reposting can make an incredible difference. Please consider forwarding this message or sharing the Go Fund Me link on all of your social media links and to your friends. And if you're unable to, or, don't want to help, that's 100% okay you're all still a big part of my virtual family . I am deeply grateful for your compassion and support during these challenging times. Your kindness means more to me than words can express.

I am Stronger than the Storm.