“You Were the Answer to Our Prayers”

REMOVING BARRIERS TO TREATMENT: Robert’s Story

Manteno, IL

Bob is a heavy equipment operator. He and his wife Kelly are hardworking people. They live in a small town and take care of Kelly’s elderly father who lives with them. Despite their limited means, they were working towards a goal of eventually retiring and just taking it easy for a while. They wanted to spend more time together.

That sounds like a wonderful plan, but their life was devastated by a rare blood cancer.

Diagnosis

In the beginning, Robert thought it was a hernia. He had great difficulty getting up and down from the machinery and he was overwhelmed by fatigue. Things got worse from there.

Since diagnosis, Robert has been unable to work. His wife Kelly had to leave her job to provide full-time care for him. The medical appointments required a three-hour trip each way to the hospital.

Bob tells us that he was angry, and admits that he was afraid.

Losing Hope

Cancer crushed their hopes and dreams.

Imagine his frustration. He went from operating heavy machinery to not being able to drive his own car due to disease. Savings were depleted and he barely had the strength to get up off the bed. His wife Kelly was heartbroken watching her husband suffer, and she was painfully worried about the outcome.

Bob lost hope. He was ready to give up. He didn’t see how they could afford this, and he didn’t like what it was doing to his wife.

Delivering Hope

Robert was facing a daunting journey. A bone marrow transplant is physically and emotionally draining, and the financial burden can be overwhelming. Bob and his wife Kelly needed to relocate for an extended period to receive treatment.

The Icla da Silva Foundation is dedicated to providing essential support to patients and their families during this challenging time. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we were able to alleviate one of Robert and Kelly’s biggest burdens by providing them with lodging nearby. This crucial support allowed them to focus on what mattered most, Robert’s health and recovery.

Robert was extremely grateful to receive support. He shares that when he was first notified, he and his wife cried together. “Everything you’ve done for us was a miracle and a blessing all in one. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

He insists that we changed his perspective and gave him hope.

“It was a 6 hour drive for an appointment until you helped us with financial support. Now we’re 3 minutes away from my appointments, 3 minutes away from my transplant. My wife can be here with me. We don’t have to worry about not having gas, not eating, or not being able to make it. She can just hold my hand.”

“I didn’t know how we would do this until until you came along. You were the answer to our prayers, thank you.”

You Can Help

You can help assist a patient like Bob during a devastating fight with blood cancer. Your gift, no matter the size, will help ease their journey just a little. Your donation will return hope and help them fight their battle.

donate today

Written by: Bret Itskowitch