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Guy Tries Selling His Grandfather’s Tools To Pay For Mom’s Cancer Treatment, People Don’t Let Him
It’s a sad state of affairs when someone needs to resort to selling precious family heirlooms to fund their parent’s life-saving medical care, and we need to write articles celebrating the kindness of strangers that pitched in to help them.
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But that’s where we are in 2019. Sure, people are awesome – the way a community can rally to help out one of its members is wholesome and beautiful and shows the very best of our humanity. We are by nature social, empathetic animals and we will continue to look out for each other in a society that is increasingly individualistic, selfish and competitive.
This story is a timely reminder of this. Redditor u/MrElonMusk420 found himself in a desperate situation, needing to urgently raise funds for his mom’s medicine.
The poor woman has not only had to suffer through the trauma of a cancer diagnosis and months of brutal chemo, but she’s had to drain her life savings to fund her own care. So now she’s broke, too.
Her son is humble and enterprising and is obviously doing his best to help his mom get through this. I’m sure his grandfather would be proud of him!
Although it sucks to have to give up a treasured family memory like this, needs must when the devil drives. Sadly, in America, nobody else is going to help.
No money? No care.
In the absence of a humane healthcare system, it is up to small communities like this to look after themselves. The response to this desperate son’s post was wonderfully affirming and left him in floods of gratitude tears.
Beautiful or what? Mr. Elon left an emotional update on the situation later on
The whole story is a bittersweet reminder of the current state of affairs. Humans are intrinsically awesome and we are still more than capable of organizing ourselves as a community to help out those in need. But why does it need to come to this? Crowdfunded life-saving medical care should not become the norm in any developed nation.
Surely the safety net should be much, much higher than a knife swap group on Reddit?
Here’s what people had to say about the heartwarming story
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Herb Eaversmells 6 years ago
This story is heartwarming, but the reality is that it shouldnt even be an issue. The US, is the richest country in the history of the world. And yet; we struggle to provide health care to our citizens.
Lotus Queen 6 years ago
It's true. Because the f*cking government isnt doing what it needs to.
Load More Replies...
Hans 6 years ago
While the evolving story is touching, one has to ask why generous individuals privately habe to cover what society as a whole should cover with a working healthcare system.
Vex Boxx 6 years ago
The American Healthcare System is a mafia. The Capi di Tutti Capi is comprised of politicians. It's hard to get out of the clutches of the mafia.
Load More Replies...
Demi Zwaan 6 years ago
I see the pro-USA force is downvoting anything negative about their healthcare again. Sad. Also, that's not a knife?
Rissie 6 years ago
He probably put it up in the knife_swap because people who appreciate Leatherman as a brand will be found there. Seller calls it a tool though, not a knife.
Load More Replies...
Roger Haywood 6 years ago
I have one of those. I had no idea it was worth that much. I'm not selling it tho, because its one of the most useful tools I've ever had. I never leave the house without it. Sad story tho .
Victoria Saxon 6 years ago
I love articles like this, ones that restore my faith i have in humanity! However, U.S.A why do you people put up with this b.s? Nobody should have to sell stuff to pay for medical care, it's abhorrent. I live in Australia (thank god) because I have several conditions (arthritis, asthma etc) that can be managed, but not cured and I pay just under $6 (AU) per script, I'd hate to think what this would be costing me if I still lived in the US (I lived there with my family some years ago). I truly hope, that the younger generations now, will tackle this problem once they reach voting age, because it's really outrageous, that the richest country in the world, can't afford to care for it's own citizens.
Misha Christensen-wildeman 6 years ago
it realy saddens me that one of the best countrys in the world can have such S****Y view of health care, good lord in S.A you dont have to think twise if u sick need a doctor dental giving birth can all be covered by the government hospitals, yes you do get PRIVATE hospitals as well, but if u not by the means you can still get treatment, this story rely saddens me
Samhhain Cat 6 years ago
Go travel, the USA is NOT one of the best countries in the world. Sorry. It's MAYBE top 20. Maybe.
Load More Replies... Burk Billin 6 years ago
Story twist....................he has a whole box of those leatherman tools. This is the 12th one he has sold. :)
Joannie Goulet 6 years ago
This is so sad. I have a close relative who is fighting cancer but with our universal healthcare system (Canada), money is not an issue. I don't want to turn this story in a political debate but I really wish everyone had access to the medicine they need, when they need it, without worrying about money. Best of luck to your mom. <3
Rich R 6 years ago
I actually feel MUCH better when I directly help someone or some organization that is close to me and that matters to me. It helps me, it helps them, and it builds a much stronger bond with my community. It makes me (the one helping) a bit closer to the community, and that I have contributed something of value to someone else. It's a personal connection. When you resort to government charity, you reduce those opportunities. Government charity/welfare disconnects people from this kind of community. We are all busy, and if we just give money to government, many who may have more pressing concerns can more easily just go back to playing video games. Those of you who think that some group of politicians hungry to keep their jobs and thousands of miles away, doling out freebies to connected political groups are really not considering the benefits of PRIVATE charity and the COMMUNITY that it builds.
Rich R 6 years ago
I actually feel MUCH better when I directly help someone or some organization that is close to me and that matters to me. It helps me, it helps them, and it builds a much stronger bond with that community. It makes me (the one helping) a bit closer to the community, and that I have contributed something of value to someone else. It's a personal connection. When you resort to government charity, you strip everyone of those opportunities. It should not be a secret that government charity disconnects people from this kind of community. We are all busy, and if we just give money to government, many who may have more pressing concerns can more easily disconnect from community and just go bak to playing video games. Those of you who think that some group of politicians thousands of miles away, taking money under threat of imprisonment, doling out freebies to connected political groups are really not considering the benefits of PRIVATE charity and the COMMUNITY that it builds.
SirWriteALot 6 years ago
Get healthcare you guys. Vote for people who will make sure you and everyone will get it.
Sardonic Scribe 6 years ago
Sitting at work tearing up... every time I get bummed out by the state of the world, I read an article like this & my faith is restored. Thanks, you beautiful bastards. *sniff*
Saulo Frota 6 years ago
I had to stop reading this. I'm at work right now and some goddamn ninjas started to cut onions here.
thatonegirl 6 years ago
Discussing problems doesn't equal hate does it? Isn't it rather sad people need to resort to this in such a rich nation?
Load More Replies...
Herb Eaversmells 6 years ago
This story is heartwarming, but the reality is that it shouldnt even be an issue. The US, is the richest country in the history of the world. And yet; we struggle to provide health care to our citizens.
Lotus Queen 6 years ago
It's true. Because the f*cking government isnt doing what it needs to.
Load More Replies... Hans 6 years ago
While the evolving story is touching, one has to ask why generous individuals privately habe to cover what society as a whole should cover with a working healthcare system.
Vex Boxx 6 years ago
The American Healthcare System is a mafia. The Capi di Tutti Capi is comprised of politicians. It's hard to get out of the clutches of the mafia.
Load More Replies... Demi Zwaan 6 years ago
I see the pro-USA force is downvoting anything negative about their healthcare again. Sad. Also, that's not a knife?
Rissie 6 years ago
He probably put it up in the knife_swap because people who appreciate Leatherman as a brand will be found there. Seller calls it a tool though, not a knife.
Load More Replies... Roger Haywood 6 years ago
I have one of those. I had no idea it was worth that much. I'm not selling it tho, because its one of the most useful tools I've ever had. I never leave the house without it. Sad story tho .
Victoria Saxon 6 years ago
I love articles like this, ones that restore my faith i have in humanity! However, U.S.A why do you people put up with this b.s? Nobody should have to sell stuff to pay for medical care, it's abhorrent. I live in Australia (thank god) because I have several conditions (arthritis, asthma etc) that can be managed, but not cured and I pay just under $6 (AU) per script, I'd hate to think what this would be costing me if I still lived in the US (I lived there with my family some years ago). I truly hope, that the younger generations now, will tackle this problem once they reach voting age, because it's really outrageous, that the richest country in the world, can't afford to care for it's own citizens.
Misha Christensen-wildeman 6 years ago
it realy saddens me that one of the best countrys in the world can have such S****Y view of health care, good lord in S.A you dont have to think twise if u sick need a doctor dental giving birth can all be covered by the government hospitals, yes you do get PRIVATE hospitals as well, but if u not by the means you can still get treatment, this story rely saddens me
Samhhain Cat 6 years ago
Go travel, the USA is NOT one of the best countries in the world. Sorry. It's MAYBE top 20. Maybe.
Load More Replies... Burk Billin 6 years ago
Story twist....................he has a whole box of those leatherman tools. This is the 12th one he has sold. :)
Joannie Goulet 6 years ago
This is so sad. I have a close relative who is fighting cancer but with our universal healthcare system (Canada), money is not an issue. I don't want to turn this story in a political debate but I really wish everyone had access to the medicine they need, when they need it, without worrying about money. Best of luck to your mom. <3
Rich R 6 years ago
I actually feel MUCH better when I directly help someone or some organization that is close to me and that matters to me. It helps me, it helps them, and it builds a much stronger bond with my community. It makes me (the one helping) a bit closer to the community, and that I have contributed something of value to someone else. It's a personal connection. When you resort to government charity, you reduce those opportunities. Government charity/welfare disconnects people from this kind of community. We are all busy, and if we just give money to government, many who may have more pressing concerns can more easily just go back to playing video games. Those of you who think that some group of politicians hungry to keep their jobs and thousands of miles away, doling out freebies to connected political groups are really not considering the benefits of PRIVATE charity and the COMMUNITY that it builds.
Rich R 6 years ago
I actually feel MUCH better when I directly help someone or some organization that is close to me and that matters to me. It helps me, it helps them, and it builds a much stronger bond with that community. It makes me (the one helping) a bit closer to the community, and that I have contributed something of value to someone else. It's a personal connection. When you resort to government charity, you strip everyone of those opportunities. It should not be a secret that government charity disconnects people from this kind of community. We are all busy, and if we just give money to government, many who may have more pressing concerns can more easily disconnect from community and just go bak to playing video games. Those of you who think that some group of politicians thousands of miles away, taking money under threat of imprisonment, doling out freebies to connected political groups are really not considering the benefits of PRIVATE charity and the COMMUNITY that it builds.
SirWriteALot 6 years ago
Get healthcare you guys. Vote for people who will make sure you and everyone will get it.
Sardonic Scribe 6 years ago
Sitting at work tearing up... every time I get bummed out by the state of the world, I read an article like this & my faith is restored. Thanks, you beautiful bastards. *sniff*
Saulo Frota 6 years ago
I had to stop reading this. I'm at work right now and some goddamn ninjas started to cut onions here.
thatonegirl 6 years ago
Discussing problems doesn't equal hate does it? Isn't it rather sad people need to resort to this in such a rich nation?
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