OT: Father, Soldier, Husband and Michigan fan in need of help
I wasn't sure how to post this or what to say exactly. I have a buddy who was recently diagnosed with Glioblastoma, which if you don't know is a form of brain cancer. Insurance will only cover a portion of the medical costs.
A veteran of the US Army my buddy Dave is also also a police officer in Lathrup Village, MI.
We're reaching out to anyone who may be able to help and I wanted to make sure the MGoBlog community saw this, because why not. Every little bit helps in times like these.
if you are interested in donating to his cause you can click the link below
On behalf of Officer Imber and his family, thank you and Go Blue!
I can't give you any guarantees, and I'm not telling people not to donate to this cause, but you should forcefully encourage your friend to go to the Ann Arbor VA and I'd be extremely surprised if they did not treat and cover this.
Brain cancer in a 37 year old who was overseas in combat, was in a semi-specialized division, and possibly even shot sabo/depleated uranium rounds in practice or downrange...It's going to be hard for the VA to rule that it's not likely caused by his military service, especially if he acknowledges that he doesn't have any family history of early onset brain cancer. The VA might even have a quick "Decision Ready Claim" program to get covered within 30 days that could work for him. That being said if he does go to the VA they will always ask him for his other medical insurance, because they do want to share costs as much as possible, but don't let that dissuade him, it's my understanding that the VA won't charge you if they offer you service.
You can always have him walk into one of the veterans service organizations as well, if he's just overwhelmed. If he brings his military paperwork and his medical documentation, they could have everything filled out and submitted within an hour, no charge.
"early onset brain cancer"
Please tell me this is not actually a designation. I would hope that brain cancer is brain cancer, not significanlty more expected later in life than early in life. But I could be wrong.
Almost all cancers (except some very specific pediatric ones) are more common in the elderly. Here's a paper for reference:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2940648/
I think the issue here is that if this guy were 65+, it would be harder to argue that the cancer is linked to his service in the military (as opposed to just being age-related). Brain cancer in someone that young with no family history is pretty rare.
My mother-in-law died of this cancer when it recurred 10 years after initial tumor removal. My understanding is that it almost always comes back, very aggressively, and usually in half that time or less.
However, we now live in increasingly promising times with respect to new treatments for cancer. This type of cancer was cured in a couple of patients at Duke with an immuno-therapy that used the polio virus. Story aired on 60 Minutes a couple years ago. Fascinating stuff.
Not trying to sugar-coat this, but it would seem that there's legitimate reason for a degree of optimism going forward.
April 14th, 2018 at 12:44 PM ^
VA doesn't cover this are you sure?
April 14th, 2018 at 12:46 PM ^
Can only go with the information I've been given. Trusting that they've done their homework.
My uncle was in the army for two years during the korean War and received free treatment for lung cancer there.
seriously this needs to stop.
pip pip cheerio
the rain has stopped and the sun is starting to poke through the clouds in A2.
I understand there might be a lot of these things happening on the blog, but hasn't this blog fostered this type of giving atmosphere? Where the community has helped each other through trying and difficult times?
At the very least, don't shit on this guy for trying to help someone. Don't donate if you don't want to. But criticizing this man for attempting to help a friend with something serious is asinine and flies in the face of what many here have supported previously.
I think this is okay. Unlike the guy who was asking people to donate to help fund his tuition at UM-Flint. Edit: I see he’s still in the reserves. Why the hell doesn’t his tri-care cover this?
It's likely going to take some work as I detailed above, but he should be covered.
He is in the reserves, and does have tri-care. The problem is that many hospitals are not in network leaving 20% out of pocket expenses, in additon to him missing work. The VA isnt jumping to help because he technically isnt a "veteran" because of his reserve status. Things unfortunately are not that simple. My brother has served this country and his community his entire life, I don't care whether people donate or not. However, I would ask that you either show a small ounce of respect or simply dont say anything.
forget it, not worth it.
I'm also going to add that it looks like your friend doesn't have the last name you think he does.
There is a part time police officer for Lathrup Villiage, Officer David Ember (not Imber). (Although it would not entirely surprise me if city council had gotten his name wrong and it was not corrected in the minutes, but again this is all I have to go on).
Every little blip like this is enough to garner skepticism. OP shouldn't take the heat personally.
This is real. If you can, please help a father, cop, soldier. He's struck with brain cancer. A good family is in need. https://t.co/xXHaV2qUcO
— Charlie LeDuff (@Charlieleduff) April 14, 2018
Very much real, this tweet is from Charlie Leduff earlier today.
This is real. If you can, please help a father, cop, soldier. He's struck with brain cancer. A good family is in need. https://t.co/xXHaV2qUcO
— Charlie LeDuff (@Charlieleduff) April 14, 2018
Very much real, this tweet is from Charlie Leduff earlier today.
This is real. If you can, please help a father, cop, soldier. He's struck with brain cancer. A good family is in need. https://t.co/xXHaV2qUcO
— Charlie LeDuff (@Charlieleduff) April 14, 2018
Very much real, this tweet is from Charlie Leduff earlier today.
Don't take this personal, but you sound like a miserable fucking asshole.
I blame the site.
Title 38, chapter 3, USC covers all presumptive illnesses, however, I believe this is for Agent Orange but cancer -of any type-is covered. I would not think it would be covered for a man his age unless he did serve in a war zone and facts would have to indicate this cancer is affecting soldiers who served in this particular area at a level far disproportionate on a comparative nature to others his age. Agent Orange was proven to be the cause of many of ourproblems in Vietnam, especiall II and III corps but, but of course, any one who served in that country for certain periods, late 50 through the end of the war is covered for certail illnesses, the number of which is still growing.
It's a matter of record for wherever he may have served and the answer is a phone call away. The coverage would be financial as well as complete medical coverage. Now if there are no presumptive illnesses associated with where he served in a combat zone, his medical covereage is still 100% and he has a bed at the nearest VA facility that treats his illness. Because of the nature of his illness, he can be admitted immediately, as the poster said, if he's in the VA system. If not, proof - obviously easy to obtain - can be had and forwarded to this facility and exceptions will be made.
If you have any questions, please leave an email that I can contact you at so that I may do what i can to help you and this fine fellow solider. It's important to me that I do this so please provide me with an address.