I need some assistance for a friend

[GAWildKat]

Mike and I have a local friend that we've known almost as long as we've been together. Howard is the primary reason Mike rides now, in fact. And is our local guru when we need bike help that he can assist with teaching us. Yesterday he asked me to drop by to tell me something he doesn't want to mention on facebook. His exwife was diagnosed with cancer. Although neither came out a couple of yrs ago and said it, I think the divorce came as a result of both of them filing for disability at the same time. They are still very close. She's asked he come be with her as the cancer progresses as it is stage 4 and terminal. He lives on his SS check month to month and doesn't have a lot to spare. He's been known to drop everything for myself and others and while at this moment I don't have $1000 to spare to give him gas and hotel money on his way to Phoenix. Is there some way to help him? I don't think there's any veterans agencies that would help in this case but I'm not sure. I would love to be pointed in a direction. Howard will never ask for charity, but he will accept whatever I arrange because he knows I'm that stubborn! He doesn't yet have a timetable of when he needs to be in Phoenix, but I would like something in place in case he needs to pick up and go on short notice.

 

Thanks!

[Black Owl]

Look at Crowdrise.com and/or Indigogo.com

[tyota9]

I'm always willing to help a fellow rider, I'm sorry to hear about his ordeal. I think if everyone who has ever received help in some way to "pay it forward" that would really help. I can send a small amount if it helps, tell me when and where

[LilBeaver]

If she is in treatment and he is listed [or can be listed] as a caregiver then there should be financial assistance available via the cancer treatment centre as all of the ones I am aware of do.

 

Not to be rude or disrespectful but if he did not want this news to be broadcast on facebook, are you sure that he would be comfortable with it being broadcast on this public forum?

I know if it were me and I went to a friend and found out, in turn, that (even with good intentions) my friend posted my business (especially of this nature) on a public forum -- I would be very hurt as that, to me, is a severe breach of the trust that I thought I had with said friend.

Again, I do not mean to be rude or disrespectful here, I am just simply providing that perspective.

 

My heart goes out to him, you and everyone else involved. Sadly, I am all too familiar with situations like this.

Best of luck.

[GAWildKat]

If she is in treatment and he is listed [or can be listed] as a caregiver then there should be financial assistance available via the cancer treatment centre as all of the ones I am aware of do.

 

Not to be rude or disrespectful but if he did not want this news to be broadcast on facebook, are you sure that he would be comfortable with it being broadcast on this public forum?

I know if it were me and I went to a friend and found out, in turn, that (even with good intentions) my friend posted my business (especially of this nature) on a public forum -- I would be very hurt as that, to me, is a severe breach of the trust that I thought I had with said friend.

Again, I do not mean to be rude or disrespectful here, I am just simply providing that perspective.

 

My heart goes out to him, you and everyone else involved. Sadly, I am all too familiar with situations like this.

Best of luck.

 

 

I asked him about it before I made it public here as he is not a VR member. He said she wanted it kept away from mutual friends we all have. Only myself and my husband have been told so far. I was allowed to make a plea for assistance on facebook again without directly mentioning her. I made sure when mentioning it places to keep mutual friends off the posts. I wasn't aware about the caregiver option but I will pass that along to him. Sadly last week she had surgery for a hip replacement and was told in recovery that she has stage 4 cancer. Even if our mutual friends were told about his needs and why not a one would do anything to assist him. (Yeah, I know, they aren't really friends) My husband and I owe him a lot and I'm tired of him never getting a hand up after all the times he paid it forward.

 

This on top of him going through testing this week for cancer himself, along with his mother ill and such.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

This may or may not be helpful...but just in case it is needed in the future:

 

http://www.southwest.com/html/southwest-difference/community-involvement/charities/medical_transportation.html

 

Also, some airlines provide reduced fares for compassion/medical and bereavement situations.

 

You can google airline bereavement fares or medical discount fares...something like that.

 

 

 

 

 

[GAWildKat]

I bookmarked that for future reference. I think in this case it won't help him, but could be useful later for someone.

[LilBeaver]

Your friend's friend is in luck if she is in Pheonix [which you only allude to in your post] as the Cancer Treatment Center of America has a hospital in Phoenix.

 

http://www.cancercenter.com/western/

 

These folks are rated as one of the best in the nation. My personal experiences with some of their other locations have been phenomenal.

 

That Southwest airline travel grant looks like a sure winner too! Often times all it takes is a simple phone call or email and these companies are more than willing to work with you.

 

[wrnchjox]

you might check into "Taking Care Of Our Own" to see if they have a chapter in your area. They provide funding for victims of terminal illness .