TODAY 12.21.09, is the LAST DAY for this Fundraiser.  Thank you to all that have visited and supported Chad & Christy.  Deep Gratitude for all those that have given to pay off their medical expenses. 

UPDATE -  Radiation treatment started this week 12.14.09.  Chad will receive 18-25  daily radiation doses.  The radiology center has agreed to reduce his fees by 75%.  He had a CT Scan to better understand where the cancer still is.  Will update when we have results. 

UPDATE-  Local ABC news affiliate broadcast a LIVE interview with Chad and his Mom, Edie.  Nov 25th @ at 6:40pm.  Missed it?  go to www.kohd.com  for a replay.  www.kohd.com

His story:  My 25 year old nephew, Chad, and his wife Christy, recently returned from 3 years unpaid service abroad working on projects while studying with YWAM (Youth with a Mission).  His first project was in March 06 - he was sent to Thailand to help with Tsunami victims.  He lived in a refugee camp, cleaning debris, digging latrines, whatever needed to be done.  Another project was with Lost in Traffik - an organization bringing awareness to child trafficking in Mumbai and Nepal.  These were hands on projects, in the brothels and streets of these areas.  He also produced images of the people he encountered and offered them in a Gallery exhibition in Perth to raise money and awareness.  He told his story to High School students in Australia, so as to create awareness in this next generation.  Christy worked in orphanages in Indonesia and Malaysia, also serving in Hospitality on the YWAM campus in Perth.

They returned to Bend, Oregon to begin his formal education.  He is working towards an Aviation degree. He finished one semester in college @ COCC, when he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, Stage 2.  In August, Dr. Justin Hill of Central Oregon ENT ww.coent.com, performed surgery to remove an egg size tumor from his neck. The surgery was successful although the pathology revealed the lymphoma. His treatment consists of 6 courses of chemotherapy over a period of 3 months.  Then he will have 15-18 radiation treatments, delivered 5 days a week.  He had his 4th of 6 chemo treatments, October 29. His white blood cell count is compromised resulting in a lower immune system. His doctors tell us he will requure ongoing $5000 PET scans to ensure the cancer cells are gone, His prognosis is very good, we expect complete healing and long term health.

St. Charles Hospital, oncologist Dr. Boone, surgeon Dr. Hill, Cascade Imaging Center and doctors have all reduced or waived their fees entirely to help him cover the cost of treatment. A special reach out to Janette Skow, Patient Advocate @ Cancer Care of the Cascades www.cascadehealthcare.org for researching, requesting grants and medical care donations.  Dr. Hester of Bend Family Dentistry www.bendfamilydentistry.com , is donating all of the costs associated with Chad's dental needs.

However, being uninsured as a student with part time employment, he still must cover upwards of $15,000 in medical expenses.   This is an enormous sum for a young couple to repay.  They are both working - Christy as a barrista for BellaTazza  and Chad in construction for Kingdom Builders. Chad continues to pursue his studies, although some of Chad's ability is compromised temporarily with the treatments and effects of treatment. We are partnering with his church and local businesses to raise funds.  Here is a list of the generous business supporters:

• Westside Churchwww.westsidechurch.org 
• Bend Furniture and Designwww.bendfurnitureanddesign.com
• BellaTazza Coffee www.bellatazza.com
• Ginger's Kitchenware www.gingerskitchenware.com
• Terrebonne Depot www.terrebonnedepot.com
• Events by Mint  www,eventsbymint.com
• Plethora Salon (Billie Carvill)  541-330-8900
• Select Lending (Steve Mora)  www.selectlendingservices.com/
• Pahlisch Homes www.pahlischhomes.com 
• Stereo Planet  www.stereoplanet.com
• Mockingbird Gallery  www.mockingbird-gallery.com 

"Change For Chad' a loose change collection has been started in :

• Corona, California
• Chicago, Illinois 
• Bend, Oregon 
• Pune, India 
• Mumbai, India
• Sunset Beach, California
• Shangai, China
• Fullerton California
• Martinez , California 

Perhaps your children can save up the loose change around the house and start charitable giving.

Your donations will go directly towards his medical expenses.  This fundraiser has been filed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

This couple has given to their local and world community in a personal way. I believe they will continue to offer support and charity to others for their entire lives.  They will be forever imprinted with experiencing the receiving side of generosity from others. 

As Mother Teresa said: “ What we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, however, the ocean would be less full without that drop”

(from Three Cups of Tea)

 

You may reach Chad & Christy @ 64495 Research Rd, Bend, OR 97701

ccdelay@yahoo.com

Thank you for reading their story.  Please pass this along to anyone who might want to help or learn about Chad & Christy.