prayers and peace - hospice care for McM

Thank you to all for your help and donations on behalf of Michael - the funds from the trust are allowing Michael to receive the best care available.

Shaunna came to Michigan late Wednesday night to spend a few days with Michael to assist with care issues. On Thursday, August 6, he had a seizure after breakfast so instead of the scheduled chemotherapy, his doctor sent him to the emergency department for an MRI.

After a CT scan, MRI of the brain, MRI of his entire spine, and an EEG; the news is not good. The tumor is larger, and spreading into the spine with multiple metastases. In light of these developments and on the recommendation of his oncologist, Michael has stopped treatment and is now on inpatient hospice, and receiving pain medications.

Because of the donations, Michael is able to go to inpatient hospice and receive the best care available. Without this money, that would not have been possible as Medicaid pays for hospice care - but not a bed in the hospice unit. That is considered to be an 'out of pocket' expense. (Something is really wrong with a health care system that allows for hospice care, but not a hospice bed!)

Please keep Michael in your prayers and wish him peace. Please write a note to him at this email address: ceolformichael@gmail.com and Noah will forward. Thank you from all Michael's friends and family.

amazing results from June fundraiser and update

Thanks to Noah, Kelly, and the rest of the Na Gaeil friends and supporters, the June fundraiser on behalf of Michael was the largest and most successful yet. Through the concerts, donations and silent auction, almost $10K was raised, truly wondrous. Each donation means so much to Michael and family/friends. Thank you from our hearts.

The update is less wondrous.

Rules being the rules, our current U.S. health care system mandates a specifically onerous level of poverty one must achieve (fall) before being able to qualify for Medicaid before the predetermined age of eligibility. Michael has to dispose of his savings and other assets now and so has moved into a small apartment near his family in Michigan. It is a private place - and at this time, no mailing address is available. However, well wishes and prayers are welcome....

find wonderful gifts at the silent auction and concert tomorrow!

Thanks to Maureen Neylon and Kelly Doherty, who have worked hard alongside Noah Smulkis and the rest of the Na Gaeil group, to assemble a tremendous selection of gift items for tomorrow's silent auction. The auction is part of the benefit concert on June 21 at the Irish American Heritage Center. Here's a preview:

hand-painted 60-year old vase

hand-knit Aran sweater

hand-painted ogham wishes, framed

pair of Waterford flutes, Spirit of America pattern

4 tickets to IAHC Irish Fest in July 17-19 plus one-year family or individual membership

gift certificate for 1 term Gaelic classes, plus reference books

framed artistic photography

And many DVDs, CDs and books in Irish Gaelic!

preview for the benefit concert and email contact

Noah Smulkis has created a special email address for Na Gaeil and the benefit concert on June 21 at the Irish American Heritage Center - to write for details or answers to any questions regarding the silent auction:
ceolformichael@gmail.com

New ads for performers also appear on Noah and Baal Tinne's myspace pages:
http://www.myspace.com/noahsmulkis
http://www.myspace.com/baaltinne

Be sure to tune in tonight, June 1st, to Irish FM radio in Chicago - "Feast of Irish Folk" starts off in the evening from 5-6:30 PM CST on WHPK, where they will cover the Benefit Concert as well as playing some Irish traditional music - streaming online at www.whpk.org.

Also, from 7-9 PM CST, tune into WDCB 90.9 FM for "Blarney on the Air" with our good friends Shay Clarke and Bill Margeson, streaming online at www.wdcb.org.

Benefit Concert on June 21 at the Irish American Heritage Center

Michael McMechan, is a Gaelic scholar and a true inspiration to all who attend classes with the Na Gaeil Irish Language group at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago. He has volunteered his time to teach the ‘ard-rang’ (advanced class) for more than 20 years with Na Gaeil and he has also prepared and taught courses on Irish Mythology at the Newberry Library. He has such a tremendous passion and dedication for the Irish language (Gaeilge) that shines brightly through his classes and through the materials that he hand prepares twice a week, each week year-round for his devoted students.

Our group Na Gaeil has organized a Benefit concert at the Irish American Heritage Center in order to raise funds to assist Michael with his medical bills for both his debt and his ongoing care.

The date is Sunday, June 21^st from 4-8pm, held at the Irish American Heritage Center’s Fifth Province Pub and Lounge. There will be basket raffle prizes, a silent auction, and live Irish music entertainment from some of Chicago’s finest performers including: John Williams and Friends, Baal Tinne, Deorad, Academy of Irish Music, and Tantrum featuring Kathleen Keane.

Come on out and help us to raise funds in support of one of Chicago’s best Irish language teachers and academics, win some raffle prizes, and enjoy the fine music entertainment!

Admission for the event is only $10 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. Be sure to bring out the entire family!

The Fifth Province Pub will be open for business and the music starts promptly at 4pm. We hope to see you there.

Be sure to visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Benefit-Concert-for-Michael-McMechan/95199660989

Go mbeannaí Dia daoibh.

Noah Smulkis

new mail box address

Thanks for the many contributions for Michael's care - as Lucy is embarking on a period of travel in the next few months, there is now a new mail box address in Michigan. Please note the new address!

The Discretionary Trust for Michael S. McMechan
c/o Andrew McMechan
P. O. Box 2317
Birmingham, MI 48012-9998

If you've already sent a donation c/o Lucy, it will be forwarded - in fact, hand delivery tomorrow in time for the tasting benefit in Beverly Hills! Many thanks, Lucy

Michael update + Friday is the Michigan Tasting!

Hi all
Michael said goodbye to his home in Chicago on Sunday and is now sorting through boxes here.
Great friends including Shaunna, Kelly, and the extremely hard working Noah were there; I also heard Lisa mentioned and I know there were others....you guys made all the difference for Michael to get through a huge undertaking.
Thanks to everyone who has helped out with the tastings and of course the trust itself! It blows me away how many wonderful people there are who care about Michael.
He continues to be feeling very good and enjoyed a spring walk yesterday. We are so glad for him! He just finished another course of chemo and is now in the rest period before another.
Michael plans to visit this Friday's tasting with his brother Andrew; maybe he'll see you there?
Marian