Diagnosed in August 2015, Ellen has battled with multiple myeloma, an incurable, but treatable blood cancer. Chemotherapy plus supportive treatments (paid for by Ellen) have enabled her to keep working. However, since October 2017 the drugs have stopped being effective, and new immuno-oncology drugs were approved for her to start in April 2018. The new treatments prevent Ellen from working full-time, and although disability benefits are available, her gross income has halved. Since June 2018 she has had to stop working completely, and without employer’s top-up, her medical insurance cover costs have trebled, leading to an even more precarious financial situation. In addition to everyday living costs, and the increased medical insurance cover there is the cost of supportive treatments to mitigate the side effects of constant chemotherapy. The drugs and supportive treatments meant Ellen has been able to continue working until now despite employment’s deleterious effects on her health. Now with leaving employment, although Ellen has temporary support for increased insurance premiums, this will end in November 2018. Disability payments do not cover her necessary medical costs.
Ellen has gotten support from the American Cancer Society, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society have been helping Ellen survive with help with some costs of treatment. Now we have linked with the Rural Disability Assistance Foundation (http//: rdaf.webs.com/) to help bridge the gap of loss of income, increased medical cover costs, loss of employment and upcoming loss of the support from cancer organizations
Ellen lives on her own with 2 dogs and her cat. Before the disease took hold, she was awarded Job developer of the Yearin a ceremony attended by former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, for Ellen’s success in finding work for the disabled. Her most recent job was helping chronically homeless and health impaired to get housing and supports.
$7500 will fund Ellen for a year of medical cover and supportive treatments. In the meantime a stem cell transplant is the next treatment plan, if the immuno-oncology drugs work and the logistics for care can be put in place. She will need a caregiver before, and after the two week hospitalization for the stem cell procedure, and additional funds will be needed for this home help. Any funds raised in this campaign will go through The RURAL DISABLED ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION, Inc. www.rdaf.webs.com, who will receive funding for Ellen and others in similar circumstances with expenses exceeding income, due to disability.
Fighting to keep independent, work and survive in the grip of illness, with your support we can help Ellen to fight this dreadful disease and Root for Ellen!
