Help Mike KNOCK OUT multiple myeloma. This fundraiser, initiated originally by two of his younger cousins Jeremiah 8, and Elijah 16 who set up a lemonade stand to raise money, is intended to help him with copayments on medical bills and medical expenses that are not covered. It is also intended to help him, his wife and children, with household bills to make sure that all their needs are met during this crisis.
42 year old Mike Barbour Sr. has been the main provider for his family and has worked mostly 6 day work weeks for the last 18 years. His wife had begun to work part time in more recent years, while maintaining their family, home, a food garden, chickens and pets, as well as doing much of the upkeep and remodeling of their home herself.
This year Mike had begun to have some pain which he thought might be muscle strain. When it didn’t go away, he decided that it was time to see a doctor to figure out what it might be. It took a couple of trips to doctors before he learned on May 21st of this year, (2022) that he had cancer. He was told that he needed to stop working totally. This left them with a part time income in the midst of newly acquired medical bills. Doctors were sure it was cancer, but not sure of the exact type, which required more testing. Mike would have to wait on the results of those tests before the doctors could tell him exactly what he was dealing with.
On June 6th, of 2022 he was finally told the type of cancer he has is a very rare bone cancer called Multiple Myeloma.
Today a young man stopped by the stand. He apologized for only having a dollar, but said he knew about the cancer fight because it had affected his family and he just had to stop. Both kids smiled ear to ear and said, “Thank you.” He got his lemonade, then asked if he could share his experience at the lemonade stand on Facebook. He was told yes, that he could. His dollar made a difference. Every dollar makes a difference. Each little dollar adds up, and it keeps Jeremiah and Elijah smiling as it lifts a bit of weight off the shoulders of the cousin and family members they are trying to help.
As of today, July 18, 2022 Jeremiah and Elijah have raised $344.38 with their lemonade stand.