“I just couldn’t quit.”
This is the true story of James and Sharon Bratcher of Joplin, Missouri. Sharon had leukemia and James was in a desperate search for financial help.
Sharon is now in remission and they got the financial relief they needed by working together with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Kansas City and their Medicaid office.
This is a happy story!
Unfortunately, James passed away July of 2017, but his message of hope is enduring. Never quit. Never stop fighting for yourself or your loved ones.
James wanted to share his story to help as many families as he could. So, if you have just found out that you have to battle Leukemia or Lymphoma or cancer, James has some tips for you at the end of this story.
I talked to James on the phone. His voice is elderly and tired. But what I heard in his voice most often while I spoke to him was relief and thanks.
James just started telling me his story – his wife, Sharon, was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) in 2001. Around 2004, her blood count was going up and down and she had to have blood transfusions 3 or 4 times. Then, the worst news: it has turned into Leukemia. Her doctors said that she had to have a bone marrow transplant in 2006. She had a family member that was a perfect match and everything went perfectly. She recovered at the Hope Lodge in St. Louis.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this story, Sharon is in remission and now only has to go get a check up every 12 months. Good things happen and prayers get answered!
That’s how James told me – just like that – short and simple and to the point. Sharon is better and they are relieved. James said that every chance he gets, he calls the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in Kansas City to tell them “thank you.” He said, “As long as I have health, I will always thank The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.”
But then his voice flattened as he told me that Sharon’s medicine cost $1200 per month! He said his Medicaid bill went from $300/month to $530 to $687 to $857 in four months! (Now remember that Sharon has been battling MDS since 2001.) James said he spent about 2 long years working and talking to Medicaid and “hundreds of people.” But he still needed help paying the “$800 per month spend down” and he needed help paying for the medication.
“Finally, it was about Christmastime of 2006 that I found The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and everything started getting better.” I could sense his smile and the warmth of thanksgiving in his voice again. “If I hadn’t found them, I wouldn’t know what I would have done.” He wanted me to mention Victoria, Elizabeth , Jennifer and Brenda. James said, “Those girls (at the LLS) are amazing.”
“The ball started rolling when I called the LLS.” James said that working with the LLS and Medicaid really paid off. “They help pay for medication and home health care three time per week for Sharon. They also send a nurse every week to help us with our medicines.” James say that he is so thankful to the LLS and Medicaid, “The Lord God himself puts you with people that care.” James added, “It is so awesome!”
I told you this was a happy story!
I asked him what advice he has for folks finding out that they have to battle cancer. Here are his tips:
- I was persistent!
- I don’t quit!
- I just couldn’t quit!
- I didn’t take “no” for an answer!
- Keep on knocking!
- There is someone to talk to at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a Godsend!
Cells for Cells has raised nearly $50,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The money that Cells for Cells raises through recycling cell phones goes to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s patient aid fund. Families, like James and Sharon Bratcher, get financial relief from the patient aid fund.
When YOU recycle YOUR cell phones with Cells for Cells, YOU help families like the Bratchers.
Donate your cell phones to Cells for Cells.
Lastly, if you need financial help right now, call the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in your area. You can start with the Information Resource Center (IRC) at 800-955-4572. If you prefer, you can go to www.lls.org and at the left at the top, type in your zip code in the “Chapter Finder” box.