OUTREACH OVER OBSTACLES, INC.

A Non Profit Organization

 

Outreach Over Obstacles Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing emotional support

and financial assistance for thyroid cancer patients, survivors and care givers while building overall

awareness of thyroid cancer.

  

The vision of Outreach Over Obstacles is to help individuals affected by thyroid cancer through the

obstacles of their challenging journey by performing thyroid checks, assisting with child care, medical

co-payments, food, housing and courtesy home visits. It also plans to create awareness of thyroid

cancer by conducting a series of speaking engagements around the country.

 

Outreach Over Obstacles was founded in Palm Beach County, Florida in 2010 by Thyroid Cancer

survivor, Sandra Perez. On October 2009, Miss Perez was diagnosed with Papillary Carcinoma. After

being in the operating room twice in preparation for surgery to remove her tumors, her bronchial

tubes collapsed, and she was placed on life support and put in the Intensive Care Unit. On the

second account, doctors decided to go ahead with surgery to remove the tumors in her thyroid and

lymph nodes.

 

Once released from the hospital, Miss Perez referred to prominent cancer organizations for financial

assistance but was denied by all. She was told that because thyroid cancer does not use traditional

radiation and chemotherapy treatments, they could not assist her with the funds she needed to keep

her in her home. Almost homeless, she received a blessing when a family friend paid her rent for four

months. The horrible feeling of helplessness combined with the mental anguish gave her the

motivation to start this special organization dedicated to assisting thyroid cancer patients that are

being ignored. She did not want anyone to go through the ordeal she had faced.

 

You may read the full length of Sandra Perez' story below.

 

• Thyroid Cancer Awareness Seminars

• Support Groups for Victims of Thyroid Cancer

• Courtesy Home Visits

Financial Assistance for Thyroid Cancer Patients

• Assistance with Childcare Expenses (Coming Soon)

• Medical Co-Payment Assistance (Coming Soon)

• Food Expense Assistance (Coming Soon)

• Assistance with Housing Payments (Coming Soon)

 

• Financial Donations

• Invite Us to Speak on Thyroid Cancer and Build Awareness

• Become Involved - Volunteer!

• Purchase Items on Website www.outreachoverobstacles.org

• Join Outreach Over Obstacles on Social Networks and Help us Spread the Word!

 

• JustGive.org

• Send Donations to Our Fiscal Sponsor - Encouragement Enterprises International, Inc.

• Paypal Account on Our Website (Coming Soon)

• Make Donations at Your Local Wachovia Bank

 

Outreach Over Obstacles is Seeking Volunteers for Various Reasons.

 

We Need:

 

• Monetary Donations

• Item Donations for Fundraising Efforts and Auctions

• Volunteers to Assist with Event Planning

• Volunteers at Our Events

• Sponsors for Events

• Volunteers for Everyday Tasks

Fundraising Items on Website - Support the Mission!

• Awareness Products - Notebooks, Window Clings, Magnets

• Apparel - Designer Tops

• Autographed Memorabilia - Autographed Posters of Angelina Jolie, Jonas Brothers

• Beaded Jewelry

• Vacation Packages

• Gift Certificates

 

• Facebook

• Blogger

• Twitter

 

Sandra Perez has suffered from Fibromyalgia for years. In August 2009, a CT scan, performed for an

unrelated issue, revealed several nodules on her thyroid. After visits to an endocrinologist over a two

months period, several tests were conducted; an ultrasound , uptake exam and an FNA (biopsy. It

was then that the endocrinologist told her the news. On October 15th 2009, Sandra found out that she

had Papillary Carcinoma and was told that she had to do surgery to remove the tumors on her

thyroid. She then found a carcinoma surgeon that specialized in thyroid cancer removal.

 

The surgery was scheduled for November 3rd 2009 but complications arose. As the surgeon scrubbed

in preparation, the anaesthesiologist tried to incubate her but her bronchial tubes collapsed. Due to

this reason, doctors decided not to go through with the surgery. She was put on life support in the

Intensive Care Unit for three days and spent two more days in hospital. After running several tests,

they attributed the complication to the fact that she was a heavy smoker. Sandra has not smoked

another cigarette since November 2nd, 2009.

 

The surgery was rescheduled for December 1st, 2009. Once again, her bronchial tubes collapsed and

she was placed in the ICU on life support. The doctors, however, decided to do the thyroidectomy,

lymphectomy, and remove some of her muscle due to the spread of the cancer, while she was on life

support. She remained on life support for 5 days, then 3 additional days in the hospital.

 

They then began tests to see if the cancer had spread. During this time, Sandra was medicine free

and placed on a special diet. She had gained weight and was experiencing muscle loss. Ten days

later, when returning to the hospital, a PET scan showed that the cancer had spread to her liver,

lungs and abdominal cavity. After speaking with the endocrinologist, she was told to return home and

wait for eight weeks with hopes that the RAI treatment would respond to the spread of the cancer.

On March 23rd, 2010, Sandra was informed that she was CANCER FREE. Today, she is building

back the pieces of her life since thyroid cancer had affected her husband, children and family’s lives

as well.

 

After being released from the hospital, Sandra sought financial assistance from several prominent

cancer organizations. None of them provided any help because thyroid cancer does not involve

traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. She was unable to work and close to

becoming homeless when a friend of the family offered to pay four months of rent to keep them in

their home.

 

This overwhelming experience and frustration of little to no financial support is what prompted Sandra

to found Outreach Over Obstacles. She does not want anyone suffering from the same condition to

ever have to experience the feeling of hopelessness as she did when seeking financial and emotional

support during this tremendously stressful time in her life and battle with Thyroid Cancer.

 

Outreach Over Obstacles will be providing financial support, emotional support and also community

awareness speaking engagements about this cancer that effects so many people around the world.

 

Outreach Over Obstacles

1601 North West 13th Street

Boca Raton, FL 33486

 

• Phone: 561-929-7443

• Website: outreachoverobstables.org

 

Find out more information about Outreach Over Obstacles Inc. and learn more about thyroid cancer

on the website outreachoverobstacles.org.

 

Written by the SUN Business Support & Resource Program’s Professional Writers:

 

Stacy-Ann Hayles & Christina Grand

www.sunsupportprogram.org