Jonathan Hintenberger faces his fifth leukemia diagnosis without any funds from the government
By Amanda Street
Port Colborne
For most people, hearing the words "there's nothing we can do" from a doctor would be the end of the road. But for Jonathan Hintenberger and his family, it's a reason to keep on fighting.
Jonathan was 19 when he was first diagnosed with Leukemia. The dreaded cancer has returned four times since then. Most recently doctors diagnosed the disease in his blood and doctors say they can longer do anything for him. They will continue chemotherapy until the leukemia wins.
"What I don't want to know is how long do I have to live," Jonathan said. "I just take each day as it comes."
"The doctors just dropped their heads and said 'I'm sorry there's no longer anything we can do,'" said Jonathan's sister Jennifer. "They can't give him high doses of chemo or bone marrow transplants. They said they can give him small doses of chemo to deal with the pain until the leukemia wins."
After coming home from the hospital in February the family fell into a state of depression. But after discussions about alternative therapy the family found renewed hope.
Jonathan is receiving naturopathic treatment from a St. Catharines doctor in conjunction with his chemotherapy.
Jennifer had sought the help of a naturopathic doctor a few years ago when she fell ill. In her heart she knew the treatment would work for Jonathan, the only problem is the costs.
In July 2007 Jonathan married his sweetheart Alicia, six weeks after being diagnosed with leukemia for a third time. Not only was the diagnosis a blow but once he tied the knot his health coverage dropped.
Ontario Works stopped paying for his medication stating that Alicia's $21,000 income as a shoe store manager was "too much for the program."
In 2007 Jonathan's medical costs were $11,000.
Last month his medical costs were $1,600. While the naturopathic treatment is helping Jonathan feel better, it's quite costly.
"It's been amazing for our hope and Jon's mentality," Jennifer said. "We never tried it until this time. I think it took the doctors saying 'we can't do anything else' to get us to go this way."
"I feel a lot better than I did," Jonathan said. "I'm not as sore. Before after chemo I could barely walk. I have renewed hope, I can feel it working."
All medical expenses, except for hospital treatments, are covered out of Jonathan and Alicia's pocket. Jonathan hasn't been able to work since last February so the couple is living off Alicia's $21,000 income and support from family and friends.
Jennifer and Jonathan have been feeding donation bottles for different charities all their lives. One night Jennifer had the idea to set up a bottle campaign for Jonathan. About 50 bottles have been distributed across Niagara. A photo of Jonathan and Alicia on their wedding day is taped underneath a poem he wrote the first time he was diagnosed in 2003. On the other side is a time line of Jonathan's five-year battle with cancer.
So far support has been overwhelming, said Jennifer. Friends and strangers alike are pouring donations and support to the family. A website, www.savingjonathanhintenberger.blogspot.com, has been set up to update supporters on Jonathan's journey. A wrestling match has been organized for April 26 at Welland's Club Social in support of the cause. Jonathan's wife Alicia will even participate in the wrestling match. Tickets to the event are $15 at the door and $5 for children under 12. Doors open at 6 p.m.
They are also working on a stag and doe like fundraiser for the summer months to pay for medical costs and in vitro fertilization.
Before Jonathan underwent chemotherapy he has his sperm frozen so he and Alicia could one day start a family. The treatment is costly, between $7,000 and $10,000 and is not covered by health insurance.
Businesses interested in displaying the donation bottles can call Jennifer at 905-834-2166.
A donation account has been set up at Meridian Credit Union account number 6844781. Donations can also be made through the website.
