A Life of Adventure
Service has been Gayle’s life’s work. It is what drove her to serve as a health educator for the American Medical Association and to volunteer with the Peace Corps.
“I worked for two years in Togo in a little mountain village,” Gayle said. “I enjoyed it very much.”
It was in Togo when Gayle reconnected with her former boyfriend, Neil. The pair originally met studying abroad together in Europe, where they had romantic dates in the streets of Paris and the peaks of Switzerland. Gayle said Neil stood out among the other guys in her academic program.
“He told me I stood out, too, because I took notes,” Gayle said. “And I had the lightest luggage!”
That trip was the start of their 45-year journey together. Though Neil passed away in 2014 from complications related to Parkinson’s disease, Gayle treasures their many years and adventures together.
“It was just romantic and fun,” she said. “He was so different.”
At the end of 2017, Gayle faced her own health challenges when she was diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer. It was the third time she’d battled the disease, which runs in her family.
“Because I was at stage four, the doctor said I better get my ducks in order because the potential for living longer than a year was not great,” Gayle said.
On top of the terrifying news, Gayle faced high out-of-pocket costs for the treatment she needed.
“It’s around $12,000 for the first treatment, and then each month was $607, too,” Gayle said. “I was thinking I would be homeless.”
Gayle’s doctors referred her to The Assistance Fund’s (TAF’s) Breast Cancer Copay Assistance Program. The program provides financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs for all prescribed FDA-approved treatment for breast cancer, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. In minutes, her application was approved.
“The Assistance Fund came through,” she said. “It was very simple. I got my little card and my letter.”
Most importantly, the treatment has been effective. For four years, Gayle’s cancer has been under control.
“My doctor says I’m doing better than half of the other patients,” Gayle said. “It helps to know that I can continue my treatment, which has been remarkable.”
Gayle now spends her time with family in Evanston, Illinois. Her oldest daughter, Laura, and three grandchildren also live in the Chicagoland area. Without the financial burden of paying for treatment, Gayle said she is focused on doing what she can to help her grandkids afford college.
“TAF’s financial assistance relieves a tremendous amount of stress,” she said.
