Our Dad's Medical Fund
Donation protected
Thank you for taking an interest in our father's story and considering giving us a hand so he can finish the miraculous treatment he has received in Germany, and that his long time insurance refuses to pay for.
Below you'll learn more about our dad, his battle with oral cancer, and why we're asking for help.
(Dad and his three daughters in Washington D.C., 1997.)
We learned over Thanksgiving of 2015 that Dad had oral cancer. After 9 months of having teeth pulled, and undergoing oral surgery for a number of incorrect diagnoses from a number of different dentists, we learned that not only was his oral pain cancer, but the 9 months of incorrect treatments gave it time to evolve into stage 4.
By the time dad got to the the fifth doctor, and was finally diagnosed correctly, we learned a tumor covered 85% of his tongue.
(Dad with two of his three daughters and his youngest grandchild, Sabrina. Sabrina is the daughter of his eldest, Christina. We were having a family day at the pool in Virginia. 2006.)
Dad met with a number of different oncologists in our mission to find a treatment that would not only save his life, but allow him to live in general comfort.
The American doctors admitted there were few treatment options they could offer. They recommended high doses of chemo and radiation and/or the removal of his tongue -- which would mean he couldn't speak or swallow without years of physical therapy to re-teach him how to do both.
Neither function would ever be normal again.
For this reason, my father opted for the alternative route.
The first clinic he visited was in Mexico where he received one month of round the clock treatment that was able to contain his cancer in one location for 6 months despite its aggressive nature.
(Sophia with Dad in Mexico, first round of treatment.)
Though the cancer did not spread, tests taken 6 months later concluded that the tumor had grown a considerable amount. He was told he had 6 months to live.
Again, western care only offered aggressive chemo treatments and radiation. My father, at this point, was feeling weaker. He had lost a considerable amount of weight and he didn't feel chemo and radiation was an option considering his body might not recover from the aggressive nature.
(Alessondra celebrating her 21st birthday with her mom and dad. This is also where Alessondra came out to Dad for the first time. He cried and told her he's so happy she trusted him enough to tell him, and that he loves her no matter what. 2012.)
After months of research, my father and his wife, Martha, decided to commit to aggressive but alternative care at Hallwang Clinic in Germany. Treatment was extremely successful, but just as expensive.
Within one month of treatment, we learned that my father was in metabolic remission. After losing 100 lbs. and being told he had only months to live, his tumor was shrinking and his test showed no sign of active cancer.
Only 6 weeks earlier, my father couldn't say one word or eat even one bite of food. He was communicating with us via white board and now, was telling us stories, singing us happy birthday, and advising us on our business ventures.
We couldn't believe the miracle we had witnessed.
(One month befor being told he was in metabolic remission. He could only communicate via whiteboard. Today he is speaking almost normally. It's a miracle.)
Unfortunatley, my father's life savings had also been depleted to pay for his care. Insurance refuses to pay for any treatment not approved by the FDA.
Three months ago, my father went back to work in Tanzania to pay off his debt, and has had to refuse the advised monthly treatment he needs to ensure the cancer doesn't return because he doesn't have the money to pay for it.
Last week, he returned to Germany for tests.
An MRI has told us that there has been "progression" -- what that means exactly, we don't know yet and are awaiting more tests and a biopsy to find out. That said, the doctors believe it might be the beginning of another tumour as a result of taking 3 months off of treatment so he could go back to work to afford more treatment.
It is imperative that my father receive continued treatment within the next 3 weeks if we want to stop the recent activity in its tracks.
I have set-up this account so we can raise enough money to allow for this.
My father is the strongest and most determined man I know. He believes he can do this all by himself and has asked that I don't ask for help. But the reality is, the journey ahead is a long one, and he could really use the support.
What this means to us...
(Dad celebrating Fathers Day in Washington D.C. with Christina, Alessondra, and his grandkids, Dillon, and Sabrina.)
I, Sophia, am planning my wedding for next year. The thought of not having my father walk me down the aisle is one of my greatest fears. It may sound silly, but that is a moment I have dreamed about ever since I met the man I'm about to marry. Having both of my parents there to celebrate with me as I begin a life with the love of my life is something I know I will cherish forever.
I also started a business this year and my dad has been the number one person I speak to when I need advice. I want him to see me be successful in what I've been working so hard to accomplish.
My eldest sister, Christina, has two kids. Dillon is graduating in the next two years and Sabrina will graduate in four.
They are both so, so intelligent. I'm their aunt -- so totally biased -- but sometimes I can't believe what these kids come up with. I think they are going to do incredible things and I want my dad to see them grow up, as I know Christina does, too.
For her, having us all around to be a part of her kid's lives is something she values more than anything. Dad has always traveled for business and lived overseas for the majority of their lives. It was always part of the plan that he would retire in the next couple of years so he could enjoy watching these kids grow up without having to work so much.
Retirment is currently not in the near future, regardless of whether he has cancer or not. We never in our wildest dreams thought he would be working full time to pay off his cancer treatments at 76 years old, and that insurance wouldn't help him for even a quarter of his treatment despite the tens of thousands he's invested in his insurance over the years.
Alessondra, the youngest, is in grad school. She is studying kinesiology and is graduating next year. My father has always played a huge role in inspiring all of us, but particularly Alessondra, to pursue the highest education that she can. She wants nothing more than to have our dad there at her graduation to celebrate a pursuit that he inspired.
My father was also recently married. At the beginning of their relationship, Martha fought breast cancer. She is healthy and in remission, but not long after, my father was diagnosed with oral cancer.
For them, treating my father's cancer means a chance to enjoy one another as a newly married couple. The majority of their marriage has been spent fighting cancer.
(My dad and his wife, Martha, in Tanzania where he is currently working to pay for treatment. Early 2016.)
Thank you...
Thank you so much for reading about my father and his battle with cancer. We continue to fight with a postive mind every day. Unfortunately, financially speaking, everything we have has been invested.
No amount is too small. If you have even $5 to donate to helping my father get back to Hallwang where he can complete his treatment, we would all be so grateful.
If you can't donate, we would so appreciate that you share this on your social media platforms.
In whatever way you choose to help, thank you. Thank you for your time, your love, and your support.
(Our last family dinner before Dad moved to Tanzania with his wife, Martha, to accept a job. He learned he had stage 4 oral cancer the following month. October 2015.)
Below you'll learn more about our dad, his battle with oral cancer, and why we're asking for help.
(Dad and his three daughters in Washington D.C., 1997.)
We learned over Thanksgiving of 2015 that Dad had oral cancer. After 9 months of having teeth pulled, and undergoing oral surgery for a number of incorrect diagnoses from a number of different dentists, we learned that not only was his oral pain cancer, but the 9 months of incorrect treatments gave it time to evolve into stage 4.
By the time dad got to the the fifth doctor, and was finally diagnosed correctly, we learned a tumor covered 85% of his tongue.
(Dad with two of his three daughters and his youngest grandchild, Sabrina. Sabrina is the daughter of his eldest, Christina. We were having a family day at the pool in Virginia. 2006.)
Dad met with a number of different oncologists in our mission to find a treatment that would not only save his life, but allow him to live in general comfort.
The American doctors admitted there were few treatment options they could offer. They recommended high doses of chemo and radiation and/or the removal of his tongue -- which would mean he couldn't speak or swallow without years of physical therapy to re-teach him how to do both.
Neither function would ever be normal again.
For this reason, my father opted for the alternative route.
The first clinic he visited was in Mexico where he received one month of round the clock treatment that was able to contain his cancer in one location for 6 months despite its aggressive nature.
(Sophia with Dad in Mexico, first round of treatment.)
Though the cancer did not spread, tests taken 6 months later concluded that the tumor had grown a considerable amount. He was told he had 6 months to live.
Again, western care only offered aggressive chemo treatments and radiation. My father, at this point, was feeling weaker. He had lost a considerable amount of weight and he didn't feel chemo and radiation was an option considering his body might not recover from the aggressive nature.
(Alessondra celebrating her 21st birthday with her mom and dad. This is also where Alessondra came out to Dad for the first time. He cried and told her he's so happy she trusted him enough to tell him, and that he loves her no matter what. 2012.)
After months of research, my father and his wife, Martha, decided to commit to aggressive but alternative care at Hallwang Clinic in Germany. Treatment was extremely successful, but just as expensive.
Within one month of treatment, we learned that my father was in metabolic remission. After losing 100 lbs. and being told he had only months to live, his tumor was shrinking and his test showed no sign of active cancer.
Only 6 weeks earlier, my father couldn't say one word or eat even one bite of food. He was communicating with us via white board and now, was telling us stories, singing us happy birthday, and advising us on our business ventures.
We couldn't believe the miracle we had witnessed.
(One month befor being told he was in metabolic remission. He could only communicate via whiteboard. Today he is speaking almost normally. It's a miracle.)
Unfortunatley, my father's life savings had also been depleted to pay for his care. Insurance refuses to pay for any treatment not approved by the FDA.
Three months ago, my father went back to work in Tanzania to pay off his debt, and has had to refuse the advised monthly treatment he needs to ensure the cancer doesn't return because he doesn't have the money to pay for it.
Last week, he returned to Germany for tests.
An MRI has told us that there has been "progression" -- what that means exactly, we don't know yet and are awaiting more tests and a biopsy to find out. That said, the doctors believe it might be the beginning of another tumour as a result of taking 3 months off of treatment so he could go back to work to afford more treatment.
It is imperative that my father receive continued treatment within the next 3 weeks if we want to stop the recent activity in its tracks.
I have set-up this account so we can raise enough money to allow for this.
My father is the strongest and most determined man I know. He believes he can do this all by himself and has asked that I don't ask for help. But the reality is, the journey ahead is a long one, and he could really use the support.
What this means to us...
(Dad celebrating Fathers Day in Washington D.C. with Christina, Alessondra, and his grandkids, Dillon, and Sabrina.)
I, Sophia, am planning my wedding for next year. The thought of not having my father walk me down the aisle is one of my greatest fears. It may sound silly, but that is a moment I have dreamed about ever since I met the man I'm about to marry. Having both of my parents there to celebrate with me as I begin a life with the love of my life is something I know I will cherish forever.
I also started a business this year and my dad has been the number one person I speak to when I need advice. I want him to see me be successful in what I've been working so hard to accomplish.
My eldest sister, Christina, has two kids. Dillon is graduating in the next two years and Sabrina will graduate in four.
They are both so, so intelligent. I'm their aunt -- so totally biased -- but sometimes I can't believe what these kids come up with. I think they are going to do incredible things and I want my dad to see them grow up, as I know Christina does, too.
For her, having us all around to be a part of her kid's lives is something she values more than anything. Dad has always traveled for business and lived overseas for the majority of their lives. It was always part of the plan that he would retire in the next couple of years so he could enjoy watching these kids grow up without having to work so much.
Retirment is currently not in the near future, regardless of whether he has cancer or not. We never in our wildest dreams thought he would be working full time to pay off his cancer treatments at 76 years old, and that insurance wouldn't help him for even a quarter of his treatment despite the tens of thousands he's invested in his insurance over the years.
Alessondra, the youngest, is in grad school. She is studying kinesiology and is graduating next year. My father has always played a huge role in inspiring all of us, but particularly Alessondra, to pursue the highest education that she can. She wants nothing more than to have our dad there at her graduation to celebrate a pursuit that he inspired.
My father was also recently married. At the beginning of their relationship, Martha fought breast cancer. She is healthy and in remission, but not long after, my father was diagnosed with oral cancer.
For them, treating my father's cancer means a chance to enjoy one another as a newly married couple. The majority of their marriage has been spent fighting cancer.
(My dad and his wife, Martha, in Tanzania where he is currently working to pay for treatment. Early 2016.)
Thank you...
Thank you so much for reading about my father and his battle with cancer. We continue to fight with a postive mind every day. Unfortunately, financially speaking, everything we have has been invested.
No amount is too small. If you have even $5 to donate to helping my father get back to Hallwang where he can complete his treatment, we would all be so grateful.
If you can't donate, we would so appreciate that you share this on your social media platforms.
In whatever way you choose to help, thank you. Thank you for your time, your love, and your support.
(Our last family dinner before Dad moved to Tanzania with his wife, Martha, to accept a job. He learned he had stage 4 oral cancer the following month. October 2015.)
Organizer and beneficiary
Sophia Parra
Organizer
Jersey City, NJ
Robert Parra
Beneficiary
