Charitable Gas Cards Help Veteran with Cancer Find Treatment

Feb 08, 2023
Mercy Medical Angels helps disabled veteran with cancer find treatment by sending gas cards.

Challenges of Cancer 

Preston is a disabled Veteran who lives in North Carolina. His family is small but close-knit – it's just him, his son Nyjel, and his service dog Pilot.  



But they were about to undergo the challenge of a lifetime. Preston and his family faced this challenge when he was diagnosed with cancer. Multiple myeloma and thyroid cancer rapidly made his life more difficult. 


Trials on the Road

As time dragged on, so did Preston’s treatments. He receives chemotherapy bi-weekly, and high levels of radiation treatments. He also needed a bone marrow transplant. Once a month, he receives bone strengthening treatments. The near-constant medical visits sapped his energy – and with it, his financial resources. 


“I live off my Veterans’ Affairs disability and SSDI from month to month,” said Preston. This is hard enough, without needing to travel long distances for medical care. For his frequent treatments, he drives from his home to the Veterans’ Affairs hospital in Durham. Sometimes he goes to a Veterans’ Affairs hospital in Nashville. The usual trips take almost 2 hours and more than 100 miles in the car.

 

The road was full of trials, and Preston wasn’t sure if he could overcome them. 


A Race to the Rescue 

That was when Preston found out about Mercy Medical Angels’ ground transportation program. The nonprofit raced to his rescue and sent him charitable gas cards. This made it possible for Preston to drive to treatment.  



“Any form of help with travel-related costs due to my constant cancer appointments helps greatly,” said Preston. “I couldn’t have financial stability, and I couldn’t have received the care I needed, if it weren’t for Mercy Medical Angels.” 


“I Want to Thank Mercy Medical Angels...” 

Preston is now back home. He will likely need to travel to more doctor’s appointments in the future. But he trusts that Mercy Medical Angels will continue to help him – until he beats multiple myeloma and thyroid cancer. 



“I want to thank Mercy Medical Angels for the generous funds from the gas card,” said Preston. “It makes travel less stressful, and I can share positive spirits with my family.” 

 


Share this story with others.

Share your thoughts about this story.

Read More Patient Stories

Man after charitable flights to treatment for adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
By Stephanie Singer 21 Mar, 2024
Read how Mercy Medical Angels and the Hogan Family Foundation helped a cancer patient... in his own words.
Victory Junction camper and his mom with volunteer pilot from Mercy Medical Angels
By Stephanie Singer 20 Mar, 2024
He returned to Victory Junction for a family weekend, and had a great time... thanks to volunteer pilots!
Child with tibial hemimelia after receiving surgery at Shriners, thanks to    charitable flights
By Stephanie Singer 19 Mar, 2024
She had an extremely rare condition, and needed specialized surgery to correct it. But she had no way to access the care she needed... until Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines soared to the rescue.
Man after receiving major back surgery and post-op checkup, thanks to Mercy Medical Angels
By Stephanie Singer 16 Mar, 2024
He needed a post-op checkup after major back surgery, but couldn't afford to get there. Read how Mercy Medical Angels and Delta Airlines helped him... in his own words.
Veteran after attending healing retreats at Travis Mills Foundation and Camp Southern Ground
By Stephanie Singer 12 Mar, 2024
Read the story of how Mercy Medical Angels helped a Veteran and his family find healing... in his own words.
Man going through treatment for brain cancer, thanks to charitable flights
By Stephanie Singer 09 Mar, 2024
He suffered from a rare form of brain cancer, but had no way to access life-saving care... until Mercy Medical Angels and the Hogan Family Foundation stepped in.
Woman with rare neurodegenerative disease after receiving surgery, thanks to charitable flights
By Stephanie Singer 05 Mar, 2024
She needed surgery to treat a rare neurodegenerative disease, but couldn't afford to get there. Read the story of how Mercy Medical Angels and Delta Airlines helped her... in her own words.
Woman with essential tremors and severe anxiety after Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) treatment
By Stephanie Singer 01 Mar, 2024
Read the story of a woman who overcame her neurological and psychiatric conditions... in her own words.
Man with multiple conditions after receiving life-changing operations
By Stephanie Singer 27 Feb, 2024
He suffered from multiple conditions after a car collision. But he couldn't receive an operation that would give him his life back. Luckily, Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines were there to help.
Family who visited their son at Barry Robinson Center, thanks to charitable flights
By Stephanie Singer 22 Feb, 2024
Their great-nephew needed residential treatment at Barry Robinson Center, but visiting him became difficult. Read how Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines helped this family... in their own words.
More Posts
Share by: