Tina Deal spent over 35 years serving the community through her church and other organizations. Now, she finds herself needing assistance as she continues to face health and financial challenges. Three years ago her life changed when diagnosed with breast cancer. While delighted to celebrate her second anniversary as a cancer survivor, the battle has left her with a mountain bills and other health problems. To seek assistance she launched a GoFundMe page seeking help for her living and medical expenses. Deal is facing eviction and needs money to pay for a new place and
Before she became ill, Deal worked in outreach ministries at her former church, St. Luke”Community” United Methodist Church, where she also led Bible study classes and served as a Trustee for six years, four of which were as Chair. She poured her time and energy into the church’s versus ministries such as Homeless Ministry, Loaves and Fishes, and a monthly dinner club for the residents of an apartment building that houses HIV/AIDS patients. Despite her personal challenges, Deal remains active in her new church New Beginnings.
Then came her illness and while she is winning the battle against cancer, it has come at a high cost. On her GoFundMe page she shared how the illness has spiraled into other health issues:
“After three surgeries, radiation treatments and oral chemotherapy drugs,I am now a 2 year breast cancer survivor, However, as a result of the cancer and said treatments, it created for me terrible side effects. These side effects have caused me excrutiating pain in my back, legs and hips. I have also been diagnosed with osteoporosis and diabetic neuropathy that adds to the pain. I developed lymphodema in my right arm, and must be very careful with that arm, so I cannot give blood from that arm, have my blood pressure taken on that arm nor carry weight over 10 lbs. with that arm. The type 2 Diabetis Mellitis that I have has gone haywire and out of control. As a result, my vision is very blurry, even with glasses, and my blood sugar levels are tetering in the 400 – 500 range. The Hepatitis C that I have had for the last 18 years is showing signs of getting worse, which could lead to liver cancer/disease. Praise God, I have just started a treatment program for the Hep C, and I am claiming His divine healing. In the meantime, it keeps me extremely tired all the time. I am suffering from depression as a result of the constant pain and suffering. I actually stopped living and withdrew myself from life. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a love for the joy of living and interacting with others. That has not been the case in the last few years!”
The North Dallas Gazette staff is offering assistance to Ms. Deal. During this holiday season, we invite our readers to visit her page and consider making a donation. Any help you can offer will make a difference for Ms. Deal. For more information please visit here.
