Watch Clifford's video

Overview

I need transportation and lodging help for my family so they can accompany me to Omaha for cancer-related surgery. This includes cost of gasoline and 5 nights lodging in an inexpensive hotel.

I have been healthy all my life until now. But I'm now fighting a combination of health issues including diabetes and require cancer-related surgery and treatment. South Dakota is very rural and the closest hospital for my required surgery is a 1200 mile round trip. My family would like to assist me with transportation and care.

Meeting this need will help me because it will enable me to get the care I need, but more than that, it will enable my girls to provide the support for me that they want to.

Meeting this need will help me achieve future goals because, as a Veteran and a Native American, I have been very self-sufficient. If I can get through this list of medical procedures, I can return to being self-sufficient again.

Right now, my biggest challenge is trying to work through the challenges of getting partway across the country for the medical care that will allow me to move ahead in my life.

I think of myself mostly as a single-parent father and a humble, spiritual person. I try to help my people find and travel a good path for this life.

I'm most proud of my children. It means a lot to me that they wish to provide support for me, as I provided support for them as they were growing up.

Something interesting about me is that I am an Oglala Lakota (Sioux), and I work to pass the traditions of my people to the next generation.

I live alone in my own home. I went to school at Holy Rosary Mission, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. I've worked at jobs including sundance leader.

Watch Ron's video

Validated

Validated by Ron from Life Initiatives (What does this mean?)

I have only recently met Clifford, however a mentor for one of our cultural programs has known Clifford for several years and introduced Clifford to our organization.

I think meeting this need is important because it will give Clifford hope in getting through a series of medical procedures that could be terminal. Clifford is proud of being self-sufficient and was very hesitant to appear like he was begging. He is not a man who is used to seeking help. He is a worthy recipient.

This will move Clifford's life forward by helping him survive a combination of life-threatening medical conditions with none of the resources most middle-class Americans take for granted. As a veteran, most of his direct medical costs are covered, but he also has desires as a father. He is pleased that his adult daughters want to be with him as he travels to Omaha for surgery, but he needs financial resources to allow them to travel there.

Clifford has worked hard to provide resources for the people in his community to move ahead in their lives. He has great resistance to appearing needy in any way. I can heartily recommend supporting him in this situation.

About Ron

My job title is Executive Director. I have been in this position since 2007. My work involves overseeing the work of our non-profit, which includes social and cultural programs focused on the Native American community. We also operate a small Native American jewelry manufacturing company called… Read more