Stories from Grateful Patients: Whitney

August 27, 2024
Man with multiple cancers and his wife, after treatment at Mayo Clinic in Florida

In His Own Words...

"This summer, I noticed enlarged lymph nodes in my neck. No primary tumors were indicated on PET or CT scans, two needle biopsies were inconclusive. I and my medical mystery were referred to Mayo Clinic. A third biopsy was performed and was positive for cancer cells in the lymph node. But these were not the type cells that originate in lymph nodes. Since it involved an unknown primary source, radiation therapy on my head and neck was recommended."


"Radiation therapy meant we had to drive from Satsuma FL to Jacksonville FL to Mayo Clinic which is 61 miles one way. I have to go five days a week, for four weeks. There were a lot of medical visits required prior to diagnosis and treatment. That is a lot of gas money for two people on Social Security. My wife and I were able to drive ourselves and pack any food or drinks needed during our numerous trips. We are well versed in cutting corners, but that doesn't help when it comes to fuel costs. It didn't take many trips to wreak havoc on our budget."


"My wife and I applied for assistance from Mercy Medical Angels. We were found eligible to receive a gas card to help defray some of the fuel costs. Without the assistance, we would have found a way to continue treatment. But other needs would have gone unmet and we would have imposed on friends and family who are no better off than we are. Mercy Medical Angels was a definite help - thank you!"


~Whitney

Share this story with others.

Share your thoughts about this story.

Read More Patient Stories

By Stephanie Singer April 25, 2025
Read the story of how a patient with multiple rare conditions drove to treatment, thanks to Mercy Medical Angels' charitable ground transportation program... in her very own words.
By Stephanie Singer April 21, 2025
She needed help for her nerve conditions, but the doctors who could best help her were too far away. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels helped her.
By Stephanie Singer April 18, 2025
Find out how a lymphoma patient is staying alive... in her own words.
By Stephanie Singer April 14, 2025
Read how a patient with lung disease is overcoming the odds... in her own words.
By Stephanie Singer April 11, 2025
Find out how a teenager with cancer found hope and healing, thanks to Mercy Medical Angels' ground transportation program.
By Stephanie Singer April 7, 2025
Read how a Veteran accessed a healing retreat, with help from Mercy Medical Angels... in her own words.
By Stephanie Singer April 3, 2025
Read the story of how Mercy Medical Angels helped a cancer patient who also suffers from heart disease... in the patient's words.
By Stephanie Singer April 2, 2025
She needed to access a life-saving clinical trial, but had no way to get there... until Mercy Medical Angels stepped in.
By Stephanie Singer March 31, 2025
A memorial tribute to John Billings, by Stephanie Singer.
By Stephanie Singer March 28, 2025
She survived breast cancer, but the treatments affected her health and quality of life. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels and the Hogan Family Foundation helped her.
More Posts