Vince Mealy, a former township trustee, is fighting a battle with leukemia. Mealy lives in Springfield Township with his wife Janet and children, Rachel, 14, Maria, 11 and Jared, 7. Friends and family are working together to help the family and are asking for your help.
This is not the first time that Mealy has had to fight this disease. In 2003, at the age of 42, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
After 6.5 years of remission, the cancer has returned. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy to place the cancer back in a remissive state. After the regiment of chemotherapy is complete he may be in need of a bone marrow transplant.
Mealy said his spirits are high.
“I wait out God’s plan for me,” he said, adding he is thankful for everyone’s support and friendship.
He said his chemotherapy is designed to destroy leukemia cells in the bone marrow, but also reduces the white blood cell count, hemoglobin and platelets.
“Therefore I am in need of periodic blood transfusions. It reminds me of how thankful I am for those that donate blood,” he said.
Because of effects from the chemo, it is possible he could have a hospital stay of three or four weeks. Visitation is limited. Friends may e-mail well wishes at www.caringbridge.org/visit/vincemealy1.
The Mealy’s learned Dec. 31 that Vince was no longer in remission. Since that time, members of the family’s church, St. Mathews, family and friends have been organizing assistance.
“We currently have most food issues covered by the church members, family and friends,” said Cheryl Slusarczyk, a longtime friend. “We’ve had people step up to plow the driveway and repair the van Janet is driving, which developed a small problem.”
Friends are in the process of setting up a fund at FirstMerit. A fund raiser is being discussed. The Mealys will possibly need to purchase Cobra health insurance, which is very costly.
“Currently we are encouraging people to send gas and restaurant gift cards to assist the family,” said Slusarczyk.
Vince said that once the cancer is in remission they will consult with the Summa Hospital doctor and the Cleveland Clinic doctors regarding a bone marrow transplant.
“They will advise if it is needed. Then it will be if a donor match is found and the side effects that could occur with the transplant,” Vince said.
In that case, Slusarczyk said it will mean many long commutes to the Cleveland Clinic for Janet and the family.
“That is where gas gift cards will be handy,” she said.
Slusarczyk is interested in getting help for the family in many ways including prayers, people to sign up to be bone marrow donors, gift cards for the family and resources. She said prayer is needed by individuals and prayer chains, gift cards (gas, restaurant, grocery store, salon-Shear Shop, Virtues at Summa), fund raiser donations of prizes and donations at FirstMerit to defray expenses, medicinal and insurance costs.
“I have never known a man who has cared so much for the township. I visited him at the hospital last week and he inspired me with joy and inspiration for Springfield Township. He talked of all the wonderful things happening and the difference so many people are making. In spite of his own health concerns, his thoughts were focused on the beauty of the township, he love’s that community,” Slusarczyk said.
To help, contact the following people:
- Cheryl Slusarczyk (food/meals/other) cherylslus@yahoo.com 330-592-2516
- Karen Clemens (FirstMerit, cash) 330-697-6421
- Christine Finley (gift cards) 330-573-8397
- Jim Finley (fundraiser) jfinley6@neo.rr.com
- Riki Ondecker (Web site, photos) 330-618-1983
- Bone marrow donor, https://donors.marrow.org. The process begins with a simple mouth swab. A
