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)
Things only got worse. I broke my leg, my lung collapsed from the port surgery and I was in isolation for 5 days due to complications from chemotherapy. I lost my house, my dogs (due to my limited physical abilities, as well as finances. Eventually I had to close my business and found myself alone, getting chemotherapy and with no financial resources left. My family did everything they could but there came a point where they had given all they could.
I was getting calls from my car company. They were going to take my car, (as I was 3 months behind). As much as everyone was trying to work with me, there was nothing I could do. What I have discovered through this long arduous journey is the stress of the cancer was nothing compared to the financial stress I was enduring. I was at the end. My social worker called me daily as she was afraid for my mental health.
I don’t know actually it happened other than God or the Universe but somehow I found my way to Vickie’s Angels website. I must admit, my first thought was I’m sure this is just “another charity” that actually doesn’t really help. I could not have been more wrong. The process was fast but thorough. Of course documentation for all of my Medical Records from all my Dr.s had to be submitted, but it was always done in a compassionate and caring manner.
When they told me during the final Board Meeting they were going to pay all of my car payments in the arrears, I literally started to cry. I was driving 3 hours round trip to my chemotherapy and another 3 hours 2 days later to get my chemo bag removed. My car played an important role in my life. To this day I thank God for finding this charity. It literally saved my life being able to actually get to the Cancer Center for treatment. I would have had to stop chemotherapy. Literally.
I finished my last chemo treatment on March 9th and started a new job at the Hotel Hershey the following week. I received my cat scan results last Monday and I am completely Cancer free. I still have a ways to go for recovery both financially and physically, but for the first time in a long time, I have hope. More than anything I have learned through this experience, there are really amazing humans in the world. Total strangers who care about other people.
My hope is that somehow, someway you can tell people my story. You can tell them how much you changed my life. I was always reluctant to give to charities, as you never know if the money actually goes to someone that makes a significant difference. I want to tell anyone that will listen to me, that when you contribute your hard earned money to Vickie’s Angels you will help someone like me. I was just living a normal healthy lifestyle and on a dime my life changed forever. I prayed everyday to send me someone or something to bring my hope back. Prayer answered.
I can only hope that I can pay it forward sooner than later and help someone else. In the meantime, thank you with love and gratitude.
Ashley Stratton