*AlHammelHeartSurgery

Al Hammel will be having coronary bypass graft surgery on August 14, 2023. This surgery, and the testing leading up to it will come at substantial cost to his family, as he and his family have high deductible health insurance plan. As many of us do, because health insurance is expensive, and to the best of his knowledge, at 51 he was healthy and active so the high deductible plan made the most sense. The total out of pocket expenses they will have to pay is $15,000.00.  While this surgery is planned for Al, it is the aftershock of the loss of his younger brother passing away unexpectedly earlier this year from coronary artery disease. Learning of his brother's heart disease prompted Al to see a cardiologist, and after further testing Al received a phone call asking him to avoid strenuous activity and not leave cell phone service, until his surgery. The physical limitation has further challenged his family, and will continue to do so through the fall, for things like chopping wood (their primary heat source), hunt (one of their primary food sources) or pick up additional work as he is on summer break as a teacher. Al and his family would greatly appreciate any contribution you can make to help them cover the cost of the deductible and life expenses while he recovers from open heart surgery and his family navigates this very challenging time.