Mark DeMaertelaere Desert Storm Veteran

IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON DONATING TO MARK. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CLICK ON THE WAY TO HELP ICON AND CLICK ON THE GOFUNDME LINK. OTHERWISE, THE DONATION WILL GO TO CARINGBRIDGE. 

We're at a loss for what to do. We're reaching out to our friends and family for donations or any ideas on how to raise money quickly. This is the final step to getting him the help he needs. Currently to get to Mayo and be seen by their medical staff we need to raise $17,000 by July 5th.  In order to contribute to his cause, there's a link to Mark's GoFundMe account under the Ways to help section. 

Mark is a disabled Desert Storm Veteran. He has had over 17 angiograms and to date has 14 stents and a quadruple bypass. All of this has been done within the last 2 1/2 years, with no family history of heart disease. His doctors now state that they have done all they can for his aggressive heart disease and said he needs to be seen by the Mayo Clinic.  He hasn't been able to work in over 2 years and his family not only is struggling emotionally but also financially.  His aggressive heart disease has made it where he is not stable enough to travel without medical assistance. 


What We need:

1. A flight or ambulance ride to Mayo Clinic from Illinois with nitro IV drip, heart monitor, and medical staff. The average price for this if insurance doesn't cover is $12,000. 
2.  A hotel room for family while at Mayo Clinic. Not sure of the price until we get there and figure out how long he will be admitted.  Average is $65 a night. 
3. Any and all financial assistance possible.
4. Prayers/help that the VA will cover his treatments. Mayo Clinic requests $5,000 up front to be seen. 
5. If the VA doesn't cover the treatment he will need the financial assistance for that as well.  Mayo Clinic requests $5,000 up front to be seen.