Email
Print
Concord resident battles leukemia, health care system
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: June 29, 2009
Concord resident Steve Moose was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in December 2008.
AML is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
For the past 35 years, Steve has worked as a pipe fitter for McKenney's Mechanical Contractors & Engineers, and has been a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 421.
Like many Americans with health insurance, he thought his benefits would be sufficient in covering the costs of his medical needs. But Steve's medical expenses were costly.
The Local 421 has its own health care fund with an annual cap of $350,000 for medical expenses in one year.
"It's just not built for major health issues like leukemia and bone marrow transplants," Steve's daughter, Melissa Martin, said. "It's very expensive."
Chemotherapy treatments at CMC-NorthEast were successful at first, and his cancer went into remission. But remission only lasted one month, and now Steve is fighting a battle not just with cancer, but also with the health care system.
Steve has resumed chemotherapy treatments at the University of North Carolina Hospitals Bone Marrow Transplant Program in Chapel Hill. He was referred there by his oncologist, with a goal to bring him back into remission so he can receive a bone marrow transplant.
He needs $250,000 in insurance coverage and/or liquid assets to receive the transplant, which his doctors at UNC believe is his best chance for recovery.
The chemotherapy and hospital stays have depleted most of the $350,000 his insurance will allow for this calendar year.
Steve does not have the required $250,000, and hospital regulations will not allow them to proceed with the transplants without the full amount.
Steve's doctors tell him he might not make it until January when he will again have the full $350,000 allotment.
Melissa has tried appeals.
"I've gone through the channels with the insurance company," Melissa said. "I've been talking to a social worker in Chapel Hill, and she says we need to fundraise the money."
So Melissa and her brother Steven Jr., have taken on the task of raising the $250,000 as quickly as possible.
"It is overwhelming," Melissa said. "My father is taking it in stride. I think he is more worried for me and my brother, and his family, because he knows this is a tremendous amount of pressure on us."
They have set up a fundraising campaign with the National Transplant Assistance Fund. NTAF is a nonprofit organization that has assisted transplant patients for more than 25 years.
They have helped raise more than $58 million for critical medical care that would otherwise be unaffordable.
Melissa has $700 of the total $250,000 needed to pay for her father's transplant.
The family plans a hot dog and bake sale for the first fundraising event on July 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Crossroads Church in Concord.
The family is also trying to plan a Walk-A-Thon for later in the summer at Concord High School.
"We will do what we can do, and if we fall short, we have done everything we can," Steve said.
Steve has been on short-term disability since December, and only draws $40 a week. He is unable to work and has gone through most of his savings while waiting for long term disability to kick in.
"I'm disappointed in the system," Melissa said. "My dad has worked his whole life and has never really needed his insurance. Now that he needs it, it's a struggle. It's a shock. I think most people who have a major catastrophic injury or health problems think that they are covered until something like this happens."
If you would like to contribute to Steve's fund here is the information:
Checks payable to: NTAF South - Atlantic Bone Marrow Transplant Fund
Write in memo - In Honor of Steve Moose
Send to: NTAF
150 N.Radnor Chester Rd. Suite F-120
Radnor, PA 19087
For credit card contributions, please call 800-642-8399, or make a secure contribution online by visiting the NTAF Web site: www.transplantfund.org and typing 'Moose' into the 'Find a Patient' Website box.
• Contact reporter Robin Gardner: 704-789-9140
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Click a region for news specific to that area.
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
Advertisement
