Neediest Families Fund Drive: Couple struggling with medical bills for cancer after savings wiped out
BY SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Thursday, November 22, 2012
11/22/12 at 7:22 AM
Make a donation today: Donate to the Neediest Families Christmas Fund and read all the stories in the series.
Harry Moody won't say what doctors tell him about his wife's prognosis because he refuses to believe she won't beat cancer.
"I don't care what anybody says," he said. "I don't care what the doctors say. We're going to win."
Patricia Moody was diagnosed with cancer three years ago. She had a large tumor taken out about a year ago, but the colon cancer is still spreading.
Her medical bills wiped out the Broken Arrow couple's savings and ever since they've been struggling to get by.
"It took everything we had," Harry Moody said.
Since being featured in the Tulsa World for the Neediest Families Fund Drive last year, the two have continued to scrape together just enough to keep going.
They've been married for nearly 60 years and he's not ready to give her up yet, he said.
"It's a long hard fight but I'm going to win it," he said.
The couple met while he was stationed in Texas after serving in Korea. He was in the Army for six years.
Harry Moody worked in an oil field before establishing his own oil field supply store business. His wife worked for him some.
He quit working in late 2009. He would love to go back to work, but nobody will hire a 79-year-old who has had open heart surgery, he said.
"It drives me crazy sitting here because I've worked all my life," he said.
They used to travel a lot but they can't do that anymore.
On her good days, the couple will get out of the house, often going to the mall. They can't afford to buy anything, though.
"We just look," he said.
Medicare and supplemental insurance only cover some of the huge medical bills. One chemotherapy drug has a $2,000 co-pay for a 21-day supply, he said.
It's a full-time job taking care of her and he is constantly shuffling her to doctor's appointments. He's not ready to stop fighting, though.
"I don't believe in defeat," he said.
About Neediest Families
The Neediest Families Fund Drive was established in 1928 to provide assistance to families in need during the holidays and for the coming year.
This year's goal is to raise $300,000 by Christmas Eve. Last year's goal was exceeded when $334,888 was raised.
Each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday through the holiday season the Tulsa World will spotlight families chosen by the Salvation Army to receive help through this year's fund.
None of the money raised is used for administrative costs. Cash is not given directly to the families. They are given vouchers for specific needs.
To help families such as the one featured today, send a check or money order to the Neediest Families Fund Drive, in care of the Tulsa World, P.O. Box 21920, Tulsa, OK 74121-1920.
Donations are tax-deductible and donors can remain anonymous.
Original Print Headline: Fighting cancer
Shannon Muchmore 918-581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Harry Moody shows some of the many medicines his wife has to take for her cancer in a kitchen cabinet at his home in Broken Arrow. Harry and his wife, Patricia, are among those identified in the Neediest Families Fund Drive. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World
Harry Moody speaks in his kitchen at his home in Broken Arrow. His wife, Patricia, has cancer. The couple are among those identified by the Salvation Army in the Neediest Families Fund Drive. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World
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