Gov't Shutdown Delays Cancer Treatment For Local Man
DETROIT (WWJ) - It's a battle over budgets and controversial legislation, but the federal shutdown means a critical delay in potentially-life saving cancer treatment for one Metro Detroit man.
Mark Howell, 31, is battling a very aggressive, stage four skin cancer.
Doctors at University of Michigan are so concerned with the cancer's spread, they recommended Howell undergo an aggressive treatment at the National Institute of Cancer in Maryland.
But that's not an option right now, because of the federal shutdown.
Instead, Howell will head to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for a less aggressive form of the same treatment.
"Waiting really isn't an option for us right now, so I spoke with my U of M doctor today," Howell told WWJ Health Reporter Sean Lee. "Unless the NCI kinda opens up in the next few days so we can kind of shift gears quickly, it looks like I'm going to be trudging ahead."
As you can imagine, Howell's cancer battle is as draining financially as it is emotionally and physically.
There's a fund set up to help with expenses.
The public may donation online at this link.
Drop-off donations will be accepted at:
Cooper & Binkley Jewelers
105 West Main Street
Brighton, Michigan 48116
810-227-2221
