I must say that if we had a sensible system for financing healthcare in the US they would not have to go public to raise money for this purpose. Health care is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy in the US. The same procedure such as an MRI (in the clip and chart below) can cost at least double in the US what it does in other countries with sensible systems that set prices. The Affordable Care Act (aka. Obamacare) has increased access to care but so far it has not controlled costs because it does not curtail the rampant profiteering in the system. Below is the appeal that Dave's family makes on their website which is similar to many other families with high costs. I encourage you all to contribute.
Dear Family and Friends:
Our
lives at any given moment can change for better or for worse. One year
ago, at the most unexpected moment in time, our lives changed for the
worst. David, our brother, our beloved Uncle D as
he is affectionately called, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma
Multiforme, Stage Four Brain Cancer. A horrible disease with an
even-more horrible name. Although his life has been dramatically
changed, David has not. He has been a beacon of light to us all. His
sense of humor and zest for life has never darkened. In the face of
over-whelming odds against success, he has soldiered on in the spirit we
all know and love about him. David has shown us all what it means to
truly live: to love deeply, to laugh loudly, and to be ever so present
in this short fragile life.
In spite of potent treatments of
radiation and chemotherapy, David’s cancerous tumors have returned with a
vengeance. As the disease progresses and a hope for a cure recedes, a
new hope is being born through each of us. While those of us who know and love David can do little to stop his cancer, we
CAN do much to relieve his anxiety for his family’s well-being. From
the moment of diagnosis, David’s unshakeable concern has been for his
family and their future. His wife Ada and his two young sons, Nicholas
and Christopher, are the loves of his life. We want to assure David that
Ada and the boys will be able to grow and be nurtured in their home,
surrounded by the community he so loves and loves him in return. This is
our promise to him. Please help us to encircle David and his family
with your continued outpouring of love and your generosity of financial
support.
A “David Roberts Family Fund” has been established at Bridgehampton National Bank through The Island Gift of Life Foundation,
a local 501c(3) charitable organization. Your donations are tax
deductible and will go directly to David and his family. Credit Card
donations can be made through our PAYPAL account. Check Donations can be
made payable to The Island Gift of Life Foundation, with a memo “For David Roberts Family Fund” and mailed directly to:
The Island Gift of Life
P.O. Box 532
Shelter Island Heights, New York 11965
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your support.
Love, Jane Roberts Spotteck, Gina Kraus and The Roberts Family
“Lest we forget how fragile we are.” Sting
**Update**
An update from the David Roberts family fund website which speaks for itself.
DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILY,
On October 17, 2014, my brother David, affectionately known as Uncle D, passed away after a courageous journey with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer. His journey in some ways was no different than the way he lived his life. He was slightly off-the-wall in the best way possible and was wildly himself in a world that tries to be everything but itself. He was so refre...shingly real! He loved music, knew how to rap any beat and would break into song and dance at the most unpredictable of moments. He made people laugh with his impersonations and accents and could light up any room with his creative energy. He was totally an awesome guy in the most unassuming of ways.
Seems strange, but cancer was not his enemy. He accepted his fate and learned more about the fragility and meaning of life or "truths" as he would call them. Despite his prognosis, he kept moving forward, "sempre avanti" and learned important lessons along the way about himself and his spirituality.
My family has been strong and his friends have been truly amazing! We all came together and enclosed his family in a circle of love and great faith. Together, we realized that giving love and accepting love deeply is what life is all about. It really is so very simple!
In his final days, my promise to David was that we will help his wife Ada and two young sons, Nicholas, 12 yrs. and Chris, 8 yrs. remain in their home in West Hartford where the community has been so caring and supportive. Not having life insurance was his only regret. I need your help to keep this promise. In lieu of flowers, we hope you will help to make this fund continue to grow. Our goal is to raise $50,000 more...I know we can...I know we can...I know we can!
A "David Roberts Family Fund" has been established at Bridgehampton National Bank through The Island Gift of Life Foundation, a local 501c(3) charitable organization. Your donations are tax deductible and will go directly to David and his family. Credit Card donations can be made through our PAYPAL account. Check Donations can be made payable to The Island Gift of Life Foundation, with a memo "For David Roberts Family Fund" and mailed directly to:
The Island Gift of Life
P.O. Box 532
Shelter Island Heights, New York 11965
With Blessed Gratitude,
Gina Kraus
"Lest we forget how fragile we are." Sting
On October 17, 2014, my brother David, affectionately known as Uncle D, passed away after a courageous journey with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer. His journey in some ways was no different than the way he lived his life. He was slightly off-the-wall in the best way possible and was wildly himself in a world that tries to be everything but itself. He was so refre...shingly real! He loved music, knew how to rap any beat and would break into song and dance at the most unpredictable of moments. He made people laugh with his impersonations and accents and could light up any room with his creative energy. He was totally an awesome guy in the most unassuming of ways.
Seems strange, but cancer was not his enemy. He accepted his fate and learned more about the fragility and meaning of life or "truths" as he would call them. Despite his prognosis, he kept moving forward, "sempre avanti" and learned important lessons along the way about himself and his spirituality.
My family has been strong and his friends have been truly amazing! We all came together and enclosed his family in a circle of love and great faith. Together, we realized that giving love and accepting love deeply is what life is all about. It really is so very simple!
In his final days, my promise to David was that we will help his wife Ada and two young sons, Nicholas, 12 yrs. and Chris, 8 yrs. remain in their home in West Hartford where the community has been so caring and supportive. Not having life insurance was his only regret. I need your help to keep this promise. In lieu of flowers, we hope you will help to make this fund continue to grow. Our goal is to raise $50,000 more...I know we can...I know we can...I know we can!
A "David Roberts Family Fund" has been established at Bridgehampton National Bank through The Island Gift of Life Foundation, a local 501c(3) charitable organization. Your donations are tax deductible and will go directly to David and his family. Credit Card donations can be made through our PAYPAL account. Check Donations can be made payable to The Island Gift of Life Foundation, with a memo "For David Roberts Family Fund" and mailed directly to:
The Island Gift of Life
P.O. Box 532
Shelter Island Heights, New York 11965
With Blessed Gratitude,
Gina Kraus
"Lest we forget how fragile we are." Sting
