Bridging the Gap

For those who aren’t familiar, I’m Sarah, Rachel’s twin sister and Kevin’s sister-in-love (he’s more like a brother than a brother-in-law).  I have asked Rachel and Kevin if I could write a post to ask for your help. I am not a beautifully talented writer like my sister, but even so, please read to the end and should you feel so moved, act.

First, let me back up.

The last three weeks haven’t been easy for the Hill’s, not that the past 2 years were any cake walk either. But the recent news that not only did the TIL trial not work, but that the tumors progressed very quickly, and then there was the brain and bone metastasis.  Well, that wasn’t an easy bit of news to digest.

I have been known to call Kevin a Beast to describe how vehemently he holds onto his ability to work – from home, from the plane, from the hospital and yes, from the ICU.  He is a BEAST.  He is so committed to his roles of supporter and provider for his family and dedicated team member at work, it really has made me think long and hard about my own work ethic.

Working in the ICU

But as they continue farther down this path, especially with the addition of the brain tumor, the likelihood that Kevin will continue to be able to work diminishes, but the bills and financial needs do not.  Many cancer patients become bankrupt within a short period of time of diagnosis, especially those who are advanced stage.  The Hill’s have been very very blessed to have stayed afloat for as long as they have; which is in no small part due to the extravagant gifts and donations of friends, family and complete strangers.

If I may digress for a moment:  My faith has been deeply strengthened by the AUDACIOUS and RIDICULOUS generosity of the community of people who have rallied around this family.  I start to tear up all over again thinking of the times when we stated a need – a plane ticket, money for gas for a car trip to treatment, help with groceries when money was tight –immediately y’all have responded. Not just responded, but selflessly and freely gave to a family which many of you have never met.  In those ways you have blessed ME, a bystander, watching God use others to lift up and carry the burdens of  my sister and brother.

Now I want to ask you to help carry some of their burden again. But this time, my ask comes with a big goal in mind – Let’s raise enough to Bridge the Gap.  You see, Kevin does not have a short term disability plan, and should he have to stop working, they need to have 90 days worth of bills, expenses and insurance premiums paid. In addition, they have some significant needs right now:

  • Rachel and Kevin’s mini-van, fully paid for but quite old with over 180k miles on it, is in need of major repairs.
  • The child care that Rachel’s doctors have strongly encouraged her to enroll Jude and Evie in isn’t in the budget.
  • And there are sure to be more financial needs in the future.

So here it is. Will you consider giving? Maybe you can’t give a lot at one time, but you can commit to a small monthly contribution.  There are several different ways you can contribute:

  • From Your Bank: If you wish to have a monthly payment go to them, you can set up an auto-pay from your bank to Kevin Hill and have it mailed to their address 746 Pearce Street, Atlanta, GA 30310. Or you can make a one time payment via this method.
  • From Your Credit Card: Or if you prefer you can make an electronic (credit or debit card) donation to their PayPal account http://hillfamilyfighters.weebly.com/bills–money.html. NOTE: Donation amounts are lessened due to the small administrative fee that PayPal charges.
  • Tax Deductible: Or you can make a tax deductible contribution to their Helping Hands account. NOTE: donations to Rachel and Kevin are lessened due to the 8% administrative fee that Helping Hands charges. http://hillfamilyfighters.weebly.com/bills–money.html

In the near future, we will hold fundraising events such as an online auction, restaurant nights where a portion of that days’ sales are donated, etc. that you can participate in and invite your others to as well.   If you or someone you know is interested in helping us with any of these events, please let me know.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for considering giving. Thanks for praying. Your love, support and prayers are a huge part of what keeps Kevin, Rachel, and the rest of our family filled with HOPE.

11 thoughts on “Bridging the Gap

  1. If the PayPal gifts are given as “gifts” to a family or friend there shouldn’t be any fees. I hope you are able to raise exceedingly, abundantly above what the family needs!

  2. Hi my name is Kara and I went to HS with Kevin can you please email me and let me know how I can help set up such a fundraising event. I am thinking I can really get some people to help out.. and give.. I just cant imagine what him, his wife.. kids and family are experiencing.. Please let me know.. I live in CA.

    • Thank you Kara for your reply. You can email me at mrswjrt4@hotmail.com and we can discuss fundraisers you can run from CA. Or you can simply forward or repost the fundraising events we are putting together (such as reposting or emailing a link to this post to your network and asking them to give). Thank you again Kara! Your support means so very much!

  3. Hello! The Hill Family events continue to break my heart & and I continue to pray. What kind of work does Kevin do that’s he able to continue to work? What a blessing! I’m just a single woman, but I’ll see what I can do.

  4. Dear family and friends,

    I have been very grateful for the overwhelming support you have all provided to my daughter and son-in-law. Rachel’s older brother, Joshua Marinacci, and her twin sister, Sarah Thomas, have been so loving in their support for their sister. I am so proud of you all for you wisdom and love. Thank you.

    To our three children, their spouses, and our wonderful grandchildren, Will, Jude, Lauren, Evie and Jesse, know that God, Nana and Papa love you all.

  5. Sarah, I applaud you. You are an inspiration. Your tireless efforts on behalf of this family are beautiful. I am reminded of the Proverbs 31 woman, “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”

    You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. Isa. 25:4. Thank you. I will happily send them some money.

    • Wow, Deborah. Thank you for your very kind words. And thank you so much for your prayers and support. So grateful to those who are being the hands and feet of Jesus for my family.

  6. We continue to pray, we continue to give, we continue to wait on the Lord to do His will and we continue to hope, standing beside you all. Lifting you all up in prayer, and sending our love your way.

  7. Pingback: Bridging the Gap: The Auction | A Quiet Life

  8. Pingback: Being Their Hands and Feet | A Quiet Life

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