Dear Friends,
As many of you know, just before Billie died in February of 2008 Joe was diagnosed with cancer of the gastro-esophageal junction. He suddenly faced not only her loss but the challenges of care for their son Aaron, who is developmentally disabled. Joe had to immediately begin chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
After the first, very intensive round of this, it appeared he was clear of tumors. However, three months later he was diagnosed with metastatic tumors to his liver. Joe has undergone multiple bouts of intensive chemotherapy with some success. He also traveled to Europe for treatment in 2008. While he continued chemotherapy at Dana Farber Cancer Institute last year, he is sure that his survival depends on pursuing additional alternative treatments not available through health insurance, like hyperthermia in Germany, which helped Billie so much.
Joe recently received news that his treatment must continue aggressively since there is a return of tumor growth. As of January 6, 2010 – thanks to a fantastic level of participation from many people – Joe arrived in Germany for his second imperative and likely life-saving trip: Joe’s doctor there feels he can successfully combat the current diagnosis. The funding of $30,000 to pay for the medical costs of this trip was raised through the effort of the Committee and many of Joe’s friends and associates.
Joe has devoted his whole adult life to being a healer as a Master acupuncturist. He has helped many to heal and be whole. He was a devoted husband and remains a loving and very dedicated father. Joe helped Billie do everything it took to stay alive with cancer for 16 years. With his own cancer, he had to close his healing practice (his calling and livelihood) and take on this fight for his own life. With little or no resources left from all they had been through with Billie, Joe has continued his treatment. He has chosen to keep up with recommended herbs and acupuncture as well. Joe is determined to stay alive as long as he can for himself and his sons and we are committed to helping him.
A small group of friends formed a fundraising committee for Joe and his family. We are committed to this effort. It has taken time to arrange for two trusts as vehicles for donations; one for Joe and his treatments (a more immediate need), another for Aaron and his current and future needs. We will be fundraising in a number of ways, but our primary effort has been a personal campaign to friends and family.
A very successful fundraising event was held in March of this year – a wonderful night of entertainment, raffles/silent auction, practitioner presentations, and of course good food. The need, however, is great – as the alternative treatments which are most successful are not covered by insurance. The effort is ongoing, and the requirements for funding ever present.
Right now we would like to invite you to consider contributing whatever you can to help Joe and his son Aaron. This gift would mean so much to us, but even more to Joe and his family. Please consider giving whatever you can, whether it is $25 or $2500. We know that today there are many worthy causes and many people asking. We recognize everyone is struggling more right now because of the economy, but we hope you will consider giving in this very personal manner.
We invite you to go to the website www.friendsofjoeburstein.com (to link hold the control button and click on this) to learn more about Joe and his family. To do this, click on “Updates on Joe” at the top of the home page where you can be updated about how Joe is doing over time. There is also information on where to send donations. Just click on “Donations” at the top of the home page. And, if you’d like to volunteer for The Friends of Joe effort, please click on “Volunteering”.
The “Donations” information from the website is as follows:
If you want to expedite your donation, make your check payable to Joe Burstein and send it to his address directly at 36 Mellen Street, Needham MA 02494. Otherwise you can make checks payable to:
The Joseph Burstein Benefit Trust
c/o Jeffrey Bloom, Esq.
Margolis & Bloom, LLP
535 Boylston Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Aaron David Burstein Supplemental Needs Trust
c/o Jeffrey Bloom Esq.
Margolis & Bloom, LLP
535 Boylston Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Please consider sending this letter on to others you know who might be moved to give. This is an attempt to extend the circle of care for the Burstein’s. If you can help us do that, we would really appreciate it.
May your generosity come back tenfold in blessings for you and your family.
With much gratitude,
The Friends of Joe Burstein Committee
As many of you know, just before Billie died in February of 2008 Joe was diagnosed with cancer of the gastro-esophageal junction. He suddenly faced not only her loss but the challenges of care for their son Aaron, who is developmentally disabled. Joe had to immediately begin chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
After the first, very intensive round of this, it appeared he was clear of tumors. However, three months later he was diagnosed with metastatic tumors to his liver. Joe has undergone multiple bouts of intensive chemotherapy with some success. He also traveled to Europe for treatment in 2008. While he continued chemotherapy at Dana Farber Cancer Institute last year, he is sure that his survival depends on pursuing additional alternative treatments not available through health insurance, like hyperthermia in Germany, which helped Billie so much.
Joe recently received news that his treatment must continue aggressively since there is a return of tumor growth. As of January 6, 2010 – thanks to a fantastic level of participation from many people – Joe arrived in Germany for his second imperative and likely life-saving trip: Joe’s doctor there feels he can successfully combat the current diagnosis. The funding of $30,000 to pay for the medical costs of this trip was raised through the effort of the Committee and many of Joe’s friends and associates.
Joe has devoted his whole adult life to being a healer as a Master acupuncturist. He has helped many to heal and be whole. He was a devoted husband and remains a loving and very dedicated father. Joe helped Billie do everything it took to stay alive with cancer for 16 years. With his own cancer, he had to close his healing practice (his calling and livelihood) and take on this fight for his own life. With little or no resources left from all they had been through with Billie, Joe has continued his treatment. He has chosen to keep up with recommended herbs and acupuncture as well. Joe is determined to stay alive as long as he can for himself and his sons and we are committed to helping him.
A small group of friends formed a fundraising committee for Joe and his family. We are committed to this effort. It has taken time to arrange for two trusts as vehicles for donations; one for Joe and his treatments (a more immediate need), another for Aaron and his current and future needs. We will be fundraising in a number of ways, but our primary effort has been a personal campaign to friends and family.
A very successful fundraising event was held in March of this year – a wonderful night of entertainment, raffles/silent auction, practitioner presentations, and of course good food. The need, however, is great – as the alternative treatments which are most successful are not covered by insurance. The effort is ongoing, and the requirements for funding ever present.
Right now we would like to invite you to consider contributing whatever you can to help Joe and his son Aaron. This gift would mean so much to us, but even more to Joe and his family. Please consider giving whatever you can, whether it is $25 or $2500. We know that today there are many worthy causes and many people asking. We recognize everyone is struggling more right now because of the economy, but we hope you will consider giving in this very personal manner.
We invite you to go to the website www.friendsofjoeburstein.com (to link hold the control button and click on this) to learn more about Joe and his family. To do this, click on “Updates on Joe” at the top of the home page where you can be updated about how Joe is doing over time. There is also information on where to send donations. Just click on “Donations” at the top of the home page. And, if you’d like to volunteer for The Friends of Joe effort, please click on “Volunteering”.
The “Donations” information from the website is as follows:
If you want to expedite your donation, make your check payable to Joe Burstein and send it to his address directly at 36 Mellen Street, Needham MA 02494. Otherwise you can make checks payable to:
The Joseph Burstein Benefit Trust
c/o Jeffrey Bloom, Esq.
Margolis & Bloom, LLP
535 Boylston Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Aaron David Burstein Supplemental Needs Trust
c/o Jeffrey Bloom Esq.
Margolis & Bloom, LLP
535 Boylston Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Please consider sending this letter on to others you know who might be moved to give. This is an attempt to extend the circle of care for the Burstein’s. If you can help us do that, we would really appreciate it.
May your generosity come back tenfold in blessings for you and your family.
With much gratitude,
The Friends of Joe Burstein Committee