Dorene Es.

December 13, 1994

Dear Ms. Silberstein:

This donation is being made on behalf of my son, Tom E. Thanks to the information provided by the Center for Advancement in Cancer Education, Tom has been able to seek alternative treatment as opposed to the conventional cancer treatment that has failed to help him. Tom has been battling cancer since he was 6-1/2 years old. He is now 28 years old. Two years ago his cancer returned again in the same location as previously, but now it was also in his lungs. He has endured many surgical procedures, radiation, and most recently many months of intensive chemotherapy. In September he realized the chemo was doing nothing for his condition except making it worse so we tried to find alternative methods. What a frustrating experience. We finally came upon your organization through a contact at a local health food store. He is now seeing a nutritionist and a new oncologist and is undergoing a new type of therapy. I have ordered several books from your library and continue to read everything I can about alternative treatments, but these are too difficult to come by.

As I am sure you are well aware, any treatment that is not of a chemical or surgical nature is not covered by an insurance plan, so to get well becomes very costly. I have a suggestion which could prove beneficial to you and my son. I recently read about flow through funding, which is monies given to individuals indirectly—meaning individuals must apply under the auspices of a nonprofit organization. Grants are then paid directly to this nonprofit organization for the benefit of the individual in financial need. The nonprofit organization acts as the individual’s sponsor. The monies awarded are paid directly to the nonprofit organization, which passes them along to the individual. Usually the nonprofit organization receives a fee of three to seven percent of monies raised.

Currently, my son receives a disability check from social security for $633 a month and receives $78/month in food stamps. He is not eligible for welfare because as a single person he is told he makes too much. He lives with his younger brother, who has had to pretty much carry the burden of living expenses. We pay for his health insurance every month because that premium was an added and excessive financial burden he is enduring. As we both know, the last thing a person with cancer needs is added stress. Also, as we both know anyone with cancer has tremendous bills and financial pressures. We try to keep these at a minimum, but at times, this too becomes overwhelming. I’d like you to give some thought to the idea of flow through funding and contact me if you have an interest in becoming a sponsor. I can be reached at (610)…, extension 215 until 3:30 pm or (610) … after 4:00 pm.

Please send the programs and books included in the $250 Associate Membership to my attention at the above address. It is important that you put my name on the package or it might sit in the mailroom and it never reach me. I hope our donation will help in some small way  to allow you to continue to educate the public and provide hope where it is needed. I look forward to hearing from you and I personally want to thank you for the wonderful and informative work you are doing. One person does make a difference!

Cordially,

Dorene E.