How You Can Help
Since Kale was first diagnosed, many of you have asked how you can help, and we have previously only asked for your prayers. We are reaching out for help now, and although it has been a difficult decision to humble ourselves and ask, we know how much you all care for us and have wanted to help us all along. Your unwavering support, whether through prayer or direct assistance, means the world to us as we navigate this challenging chapter.
Our son, Kale, is a courageous and resilient young man who has been fighting an aggressive battle against an optic nerve glioma tumor in his right eye since January 2022. After years of intensive chemotherapy and countless procedures, we are facing the next critical step in his journey: surgery to remove the tumor, which will unfortunately lead to blindness in his right eye.
This surgery is a necessary and challenging decision, offering Kale the best chance to prevent further tumor growth and protect his overall health. However, even with insurance and supplemental cancer policy, the costs associated with his ongoing care have been astronomical, and the upcoming surgery adds another significant financial burden. We are reaching out to our community for urgent support to help us raise funds to cover existing medical bills and new expenses related to Kale’s upcoming surgery and recovery.
Kale’s Courageous Journey: A Timeline of Resilience
On January 5, 2022, our lives changed forever. What started as a series of routine eye exams for blurred vision quickly escalated to an emergency room visit, an ambulance transfer, and ultimately, the devastating diagnosis of an Aggressive Optic Nerve Glioma at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, CA.
Since that day, Kale has endured an unimaginable journey:
- Constant Travel & Treatments: Our family has spent countless hours and miles traveling between Santa Maria, Madera, Fresno, and Los Angeles for appointments. We’ve navigated hundreds of miles for:
- Chemotherapy
- Numerous MRIs and Eye Exams
- Multiple blood transfusions
- Surgical Procedures
- Navigating Setbacks:
- Emergency room visits for treatment reactions and infections.
- Hair loss and assistance of a walking cane due to side effects.
- Chemotherapy delays due to low blood counts and elevated liver enzymes.
- His tumor grew, shrunk, and then grew again, leading to shifts in treatment plans.
- Severe reactions to multiple medications.
- Lumbar punctures, including a failed attempt and an ER visit for a spinal fluid leak.
- Ongoing denials from insurance companies as we seek treatment approvals.
- Significant out-of-pocket costs for tests deemed “not medically necessary” by our insurance, despite medical recommendations.
- The Hard Reality of Vision Loss: Despite aggressive treatments, the tumor’s impact on Kale’s right eye has been profound. We have seen a noticeable decline in his vision, leading to the difficult decision to proceed with surgery to remove the tumor, knowing it would result in permanent blindness in his right eye.
Our Current Financial Burden and Upcoming Needs
Kale’s battle has not only taken an immense emotional and physical toll but also a significant financial one. Even before this critical surgery, we are burdened with thousands of dollars in outstanding medical bills. Here’s a breakdown of the types of expenses we are currently facing and will continue to face in the months ahead:
- Transportation: The continuous round-trips to specialized hospital locations across California (Madera, Fresno, Los Angeles) and emergency visits have resulted in substantial fuel costs, car maintenance, and wear and tear on the family vehicle.
- Lodging: Staying in hotels for early morning appointments or overnight stays in the hospital has been a frequent necessity.
- Chemotherapy Co-pays & Deductibles: While insurance covers a portion, co-pays and deductibles for his extensive and ongoing chemotherapy treatment have accumulated significantly.
- Procedures & Scans: Each MRI, CT scan, blood test, and specialized eye exam carries its own cost, often with significant out-of-pocket portions or out-of-network costs.
- Anti-Nausea & Other Medications: Managing the severe side effects of chemotherapy requires additional medications, which add to our out-of-pocket expenses.
- Upcoming Surgery Costs: The surgery itself, anesthesia, post-operative care, and follow-up appointments will incur substantial new debt.
The Ongoing Financial Journey Post-Surgery
Even after this critical surgery, our financial burden will continue. We anticipate significant ongoing expenses related to Kale’s post-operative care, allowing us to focus on his recovery and emotional well-being rather than mounting bills:
- Continued Transportation: Regular travel for follow-up appointments will incur ongoing costs for fuel, car maintenance, and vehicle wear and tear.
- Ongoing Lodging: Overnight stays for early morning appointments, or extended hospital visits will continue to be a recurring expense.
- Post-Operative Medications: Any new medications required for recovery, pain management, or to address ongoing side effects will add to out-of-pocket costs.
- Potential Therapies: If occupational therapy, psychological counseling, or other rehabilitative services are recommended for his adjustment to vision loss, these will contribute to the financial burden.
Your generous contribution will directly impact Kale’s ability to receive the care he desperately needs without adding insurmountable financial stress to our family.
Every dollar raised will go towards:
* Paying off existing medical debt.
* Helping with the costs of Kale’s upcoming surgery.
* Supporting his essential post-operative care and ongoing needs.
Please consider donating what you can and sharing Kale’s story with your network of friends and family. Your support, no matter the size, makes a profound difference in our fight to give Kale a future free from the immediate threat of this tumor.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a part of Kale’s journey, and as always, keep praying.
