For Dorris Winters, it was the electric bill. There she was, weeks in Hershey undergoing cutting edge stem cell treatment for B-cell lymphoma, and that meter at her home in East Prospect, York County, just kept on turning.
Put Your Affairs In Order
"It's Probably Nothing"
Cancer loves those words. Cancer loves to sneak up on people when they least expect it and throw their world into financial and emotional chaos. And that’s exactly what happened to the Phillips family.
In August 2022, Stephanie Phillips felt a lump, but she didn’t think too much about it. By October, the lump became painful, and she decided she should make an appointment to have it checked. Unfortunately, the first available appointment wasn’t until December, so she had two months to worry about its origin. Her doctor was not at all concerned. Stephanie had no family history and no indicators for breast cancer. Even still, her family doctor scheduled her for a mammogram to “rule out the scary stuff.”
Grateful For a Nagging Friend
Someone should hire Keevah Brown as a spokeswoman for the importance of colonoscopy. She gave into a friend's nagging, underwent the test in January and learned she had Stage 3 rectal cancer. There had been no signs, no signals, just a friend who insisted the test was important for a woman in her 50s.
If It Wasn't For Vickie's Angels
Asking for help can be tough. When you're someone like Michael Alvarado who has no experience asking, it's painful.
Mike, of Enola, left his childhood home in Oberlin at 17 and spent years working for steel companies.
"I try to do everything myself. I've been that way my whole life," he said.
But in March, severe pain sent the 54-year-old to the hospital where he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. Suddenly he found himself battling to withstand chemotherapy and radiation.
We Planned to Relax on Our Front Porch
One Year in Florida and 60 Years of Marriage
We were married in 1962. In 2008, Luther and I (Shirley) purchased property in Wellsville, PA where we planned to relax on our front porch, care for our large front yard and flowerbeds. Unfortunately-that did not happen as you will see below. Our son was in the Navy and returned in 2010 and his three children loved to play in our big front yard.
A Light in the Darkness
Jordon was already having a really tough month. In November, 2022, her beloved cat and emotional support animal was bitten by a spider and by November 16, six-year-old Nala Rae had to be euthanized. The hole left in Jordon’s heart kept her from worrying about the aching pain she was experiencing in her left shoulder.
Then, on December 16, while doing a simple task at work, the 27-year-old Marysville resident popped her shoulder in three places. That action prompted X-rays which revealed something that wasn’t quite right. Sadly, the “something” was misdiagnosed as a rotator cuff tear. Jordon took her findings to her physical therapist who suggested that she see an oncologist. Finally, on December 30, Jordon had an MRI which confirmed that her shoulder pain was indeed cancer.
On a Dime My Life Changed Forever
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to Vickie’s Angels. The world being what it is these days it is very hard not to lose faith in other humans. It seems like there is nothing but bad news everywhere you look.
When I first was diagnosed with my two types of cancer (that were meshed together in one tumor) I had never been remotely connected to medicine, Dr’s or Hospital and NEVER thought I would be in the financial position I found myself in. I owned a successful restaurant for 15 years and was financially secure. (allegedly)
"Phil Pushes on For The Girls and I"
Getting into your car to go to work should be a simple, everyday task—uninterrupted and painless. For 41-year-old Phillip Paetzold, that everyday task turned into a nightmare when he suddenly lost all function on one side of his body while getting into his car. That loss of function began a 13-year journey that no one should have to endure.
Many Played Santa Again This Year
Christmas came early for our families with young children and none were happier than the parents who feared their children would be disappointed this year. Thanks to our event sponsor Frank Kelly and Kelly Financial Inc., as well as many of our volunteers, neighbors, friends, sponsors and donors who are there for us and our families each and every year donating gifts from the children’s wish lists! We cannot thank you enough! Please enjoy the photos of elated children, grateful parents and one very jolly old elf!