Help Lee beat leukemia!
Donation protected
**updated 12/19/14 as we get more info from Lee's medical records + experts in the field**
My brother-in-law* Lee is in the fight for his life against treatable but advanced Chronic Mylogenous Leukemia. We're raising money to help him get the medical care outside of the VA that we believe he needs to survive.
Lee is a 27-year old US Marine Corps Infantry Veteran (of FAST Company) who beat thyroid cancer 6 years ago. Orignally from a small town in Iowa, he has since married my sister* Roseann, has excelled in studying history at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and is raising their 2 year old daughter Arieana. As a vet, Lee has been stuck in the broken VA system, which is currently insisting chemo is sufficient and has refused to cover the expense of a referral for a second opinion for a discussion about a transplant, which the VA could not do.
The current insurance situation has us facing any non-VA costs with Medi-Cal or out of pocket. Whether or not a transplant will be his option is to be determined, but since it's the only known cure for CML** we want a chance to see a doctor who can even consider it!
To help cover the financial burden of out of pocket care, we're raising funds to consult with a better doctor and if deemed appropriate, get him the transplant he needs. What the military insurance will cover remains uncertain, and since the family depends on scholarship money and disability payments from previous cancer to get by, the finances remain unclear, especially with a two year old to care for.
We are in the battle of our family's lives - we're doing everything we can to cover living expenses while he takes a break from school and the Marine Corps families have provided incredible support. Lee is heavily involved in LMU's vet programs, so there's lots of love there too. We know that our Marine is a lion who fights and never complains, and as Lee said about chemo, "warning shots have been fired!"
Prayers, forwards and leads on a good hemotologist/oncologist in the LA area are also welcome!
Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season - I know I'm more grateful than ever for everyone in my life that I care about, including you.
-Katie + the Kimball/Adams clan
Lee and his daughter helping vets at LMU
All dressed up and handsome!
Papa Lee with Arieana
Lee and Roseann's wedding at our home (mom officiated, dad walked her down the aisle!)
Our family at Kelley's wedding
*My family made Roseann one of our own in 2000. In the 14 years since, she's lived with us, shared holidays with us and my parents officiated her wedding to Lee. Lee drives what used to be my dad's Mustang (now with a better sound system), my mom is a Nana to their Arieana and they were supposed to be with us this Christmas in Michigan. I wanted to make this distinction in case anyone feels it's important, but as far as the Kimballs are concerned the Adams' family are blood.
**Source: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemia-chronicmyeloidcml/detailedguide/leukemia-chronic-myeloid-myelogenous-treating-bone-marrow-stem-cell
My brother-in-law* Lee is in the fight for his life against treatable but advanced Chronic Mylogenous Leukemia. We're raising money to help him get the medical care outside of the VA that we believe he needs to survive.
Lee is a 27-year old US Marine Corps Infantry Veteran (of FAST Company) who beat thyroid cancer 6 years ago. Orignally from a small town in Iowa, he has since married my sister* Roseann, has excelled in studying history at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and is raising their 2 year old daughter Arieana. As a vet, Lee has been stuck in the broken VA system, which is currently insisting chemo is sufficient and has refused to cover the expense of a referral for a second opinion for a discussion about a transplant, which the VA could not do.
The current insurance situation has us facing any non-VA costs with Medi-Cal or out of pocket. Whether or not a transplant will be his option is to be determined, but since it's the only known cure for CML** we want a chance to see a doctor who can even consider it!
To help cover the financial burden of out of pocket care, we're raising funds to consult with a better doctor and if deemed appropriate, get him the transplant he needs. What the military insurance will cover remains uncertain, and since the family depends on scholarship money and disability payments from previous cancer to get by, the finances remain unclear, especially with a two year old to care for.
We are in the battle of our family's lives - we're doing everything we can to cover living expenses while he takes a break from school and the Marine Corps families have provided incredible support. Lee is heavily involved in LMU's vet programs, so there's lots of love there too. We know that our Marine is a lion who fights and never complains, and as Lee said about chemo, "warning shots have been fired!"
Prayers, forwards and leads on a good hemotologist/oncologist in the LA area are also welcome!
Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season - I know I'm more grateful than ever for everyone in my life that I care about, including you.
-Katie + the Kimball/Adams clan
Lee and his daughter helping vets at LMU
All dressed up and handsome!
Papa Lee with Arieana
Lee and Roseann's wedding at our home (mom officiated, dad walked her down the aisle!)
Our family at Kelley's wedding
*My family made Roseann one of our own in 2000. In the 14 years since, she's lived with us, shared holidays with us and my parents officiated her wedding to Lee. Lee drives what used to be my dad's Mustang (now with a better sound system), my mom is a Nana to their Arieana and they were supposed to be with us this Christmas in Michigan. I wanted to make this distinction in case anyone feels it's important, but as far as the Kimballs are concerned the Adams' family are blood.
**Source: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemia-chronicmyeloidcml/detailedguide/leukemia-chronic-myeloid-myelogenous-treating-bone-marrow-stem-cell
Organizer
Katie Kimball
Organizer
Garden Grove, CA