Help Gregg battle Stage 4 Kidney Cancer!

Hi, my name is Tami, and I am raising funds for my cousin Gregg Newton. Gregg and his wife are two of the most giving people I know. I have known Gregg since the day he was born 49 years ago, and his wife for the last 30 years. Gregg and I grew up together, literally in each others’ back yards. He is a graduate of Beaver Falls Class of 1991 in Beaver Falls, PA and a 1996 graduate of the Florida Corrections Officer program. Gregg has worked as a Corrections Officer for 25 years on the night shift, first in Okeechobee, and is currently employed with the Martin County Sheriff's Office. Gregg was a regular overtime worker (clocking 20+ hours of OT weekly) and nearing retirement eligibility. They are also caretakers for his mother-in-law, (who suffers from dementia and lives with them), and their son. They have given their time, money, shelter and emotional support to so many (including me) throughout their adult lives.

In July of 2021, their world fell apart when Gregg went to the doctor for a swollen gland in his neck, thinking it was allergies. He was diagnosed with stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma, which had already metastasized throughout his body, including to his lungs, chest, skull and lymph nodes. This is not curable, there is no hope of remission. Although he is currently “stable’, that only means his cancer treatment is stopping further progression. To stop his treatment means his cancer takes over. His disease and treatment are debilitating, from gastric side effects that have led to an over 100-pound weight loss to peripheral neuropathy in both feet, and hospitalization due to dangerously low thyroid and adrenal gland function. He has suffered greatly, and they have both been emotionally drained. . He has attempted twice to go back to work but has been unable to maintain due to his disease and side effects.

Cancer is exorbitantly expensive, not only physically and mentally, but also financially. Gregg and his wife saved up for retirement. They did not vacation or buy expensive things. They saved for the future when they would “live it up”. Their savings has gone to pay for medical bills as well as living expenses for their family of 5 since he has been unable to work for over a year. Gregg is now on long term disability through work, which is 60% of his base pay. He currently draws the other 40% from a sick pool, relying on other MCSO employees to subsidize him. No more 20+ hours a week of guaranteed overtime The only constant they have had in the last year is their home, that they have been renting for the last 9 years. That security is now gone.

They were notified this week that their lease will not be renewed because the property owner needs to move back in due to personal issues, and that they have 90 days to vacate their home. As they have been in the home nearly a decade, their rent does not reflect current rental prices, which are at least double what they are currently paying; adding in first, last and security and moving expenses makes this devastatingly impossible for them to manage. After all their giving, all the people they have taken in, cared for, and helped all their adult lives, they are in fear of being out on the street. Leaving the area is not an option as Gregg would lose his insurance, doctors and treatment plan. Though he qualifies for permanent disability, he would-again-lose his insurance for 2 years until he is eligible for Medicare. His doctors tell him to “live his life,” but that is clearly impossible with the current circumstances. It brings home the terrifying reality that one major health crisis cannot only destroy your body and spirit but can also bankrupt you financially.

These are not people who ask or take…these are people who give. They are not in the habit of asking for help. In spite of all their problems, Gregg performed CPR on a neighborhood child found in a pool, while his wife was on the phone with 911; the child has made a full recovery, and Gregg was commended as Employee of the Month in March 2022 by the Palm Beach County PBA.

As they have helped so many over the years and have received such support from Gregg’s fellow workers at MCSO and loved ones, it is now my turn to help them by putting this fundraiser together for them in return for all the love they have given out for so many years.

Please help me to give Gregg what his doctors tell him to do-the ability to live his life.