ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512260031
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: The good neighbors fund
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
Rebecca Hartman, 30, of Northeast Roanoke tries to take life one day at a time. That was the advice given to her by a nurse at the hospital where her husband, Malcolm, is being treated for brain cancer.
It seems to help her cope with the responsibility of taking care of Malcolm, who often is disoriented and can't be left alone; of worrying about paying the bills because Malcolm is uninsured; and of meeting the needs of their three children, who are having trouble dealing with their father's illness.
Malcolm, 33, has worked a variety of jobs since age 13. His own father is disabled, and he had to start providing for his family early.
He was a vinyl-siding installer when he suddenly became ill three years ago. Since then, he has undergone two surgeries and 36 radiation treatments, but the cancer keeps coming back.
The family tries to get by on $209 in food stamps and $1,107 a month in disability payments, but just one of Malcolm's medicines costs $358 per month. The Hartmans are waiting to hear if they qualify for a grant that will take care of the hospital bills that aren't covered by Medicaid.
Since Malcolm became sick, Hartman said she has fallen behind with the utility bills. This fall, she came to the Presbyterian Community Center and received a grant for those bills from Roanoke Area Ministries' emergency financial assistance program. Most of the money came from the Good Neighbors Fund, which is supported by readers of The Roanoke Times.
Hartman said her sister told her about the program, but it took awhile for her to muster up the courage to apply. When he was working, Malcolm "made pretty good money. We've never been through anything like this. We've never had to ask for anything."
In November, Hartman said she had hoped to be able to provide gifts for her children for Christmas. She has laid away a few small things for them, she said, and they seem to understand that there won't be very much this year.
"They know they can't get everything they want," she said.
Checks made payable to the Good Neighbors Fund should be mailed to The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 1951, Roanoke 24008.
Names - but not donation amounts - of contributing businesses, individuals or organizations, as well as memorial and honorific designations, will be listed in the newspaper. Those requesting that their names not be used will remain anonymous. If no preference is stated, the donor's name will be listed.
LENGTH: Medium: 51 linesby CNB