John F. Ptak Relief Fund

Saturday, September 15th.

WAY TO GO, TEAM BRILLIANT!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012.

Here is Patti's facebook status after John's surgery follow up appointment.  "Did you hear that? That little sound? The one that sounded like a beautiful, tiny crystal hitting against another beautiful, tiny crystal in the wind? That was the sound of a single tear from Dr Dimples falling into his 6pm martini when he realized it will be a full six months until he sees us again."

Tuesday, September 5, 2012.  John is out of surgery and is resting! Everything went very well and we will update when we know more.  For now, THANK YOU for giving John a chance to go into surgery without the fear of overwhelming medical bills.  Love.

Tuesday, August 20, 2012.  John and Patti got the news today that John's cancer is STAGE ONE, and surgery will be scheduled soon.  This is the BEST that bad news can be, and we are all elated.  We are so close to reaching our goal of $100,000 to help cover the expenses of this necessary surgery.  THANK YOU. 

IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE INCREDIBLE DONORS WHO HAVE LIFTED THIS CAMPAIGN OFF THE GROUND, AND WISH TO BE INCLUDED IN A THANK YOU VIDEO, PLEASE SEND A PHOTO OF YOURSELF TO AMY AT AMYDMCCRACKEN@GMAIL.COM BEFORE SEPT. 10TH.  WE'LL POST THE VIDEO HERE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE. 

We are friends of Patti Digh and John Ptak.  We’ve been inspired by their writing, delighted by their stories, and enlightened by their wisdom.  After hearing about John’s diagnosis of kidney cancer—at a time when they are uninsured—many have asked: “How can we help?” 

Patti and John, and their two daughters, Emma and Tess, can focus on what is really important right now—getting and staying healthy—if we can help alleviate some of the overwhelming financial burden of his medical care.  This is how you can help.

Our goal is to raise $100,000.  While the exact costs of John’s treatment are unknown, it is clear that they will be extensive.  In fact, even though $100,000 is an extraordinary amount of money, it will probably not cover all the specialist consultations, hospitalization, treatment, and surgery expenses that John will incur as an uninsured patient.  Every dollar raised will be used to pay medical bills during John’s treatment. 

Every donation helps. 

We already know that we can count on the support of those of us who know and love—and have been touched by—this unique family.  And we are hoping that you will share this news, and your stories of John, Patti, Tess and Emma, with those you love—and ask for their support as well. 

Money won’t cure cancer.  But your support will encourage and allow John to follow an effective course of treatment without stressing over the daunting financial burden on his family. As John said in a recent e-mail, “whatever is . . . collected will be very helpful, because right now everything costs and will wind up costing everything . . . .”

We will be updating the site regularly with news and other ways to help.  Since John’s consultations with specialists have already begun, the best thing you can do is to donate whatever you can right now—and spread the word!

****During the first 12 hours of this campaign, we have raised $18,000.  Here is a note from John:

I just wanted to say a quick something here to everyone who has responded with such kindness and grace for my family and me, something quick because it is all so much, so overwhelming, that although I know where to begin I have no idea of how to end. It is all so incredible, all of you, all of the wonderful thoughts and words, and deeds, and charity. It is extremely humbling and happy, and shocking, to see so many hundreds of people contributing their thoughts and hopes and ideas and support. So, for tonight, I just want to say how much this enormous motion--this lifting wave--means to me, and what an almost unspeakably-great relief it is to have so so very many concerned for my family; and to say, for now, a simple "thank you". -John Ptak