In April of 2005, Mike Stockman discovred he had Crohn’s disease. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines. At this time, treatment can help control the disease, but there is no cure. Someone with Crohn's disease may need medical care for a long time, with regular doctor visits to monitor the condition. Mike Stockman has been hospitalized at Piedmont Medical, University Hospital and other Medical Centers since April of 2005 with various levels of treatment to control this disease. His wife Amy Stockman has been at his bedside day and night since April 2005. Amy and Mike have three children: Two boys - Josh is 21, Erick is 18, and their daughter, Hunter is 14.

Here is a short outline of their situation:

• House foreclosure scheduled for December 6, 2005
• A neighbor was paying for their Cobra Healthcare Insurance which ended in 2006.
• The Stockman’s did not have long-term disability insurance
• Amy Stockman has been out of work since Mike’s illness discovered in April 2005
• The local Church was supporting the Stockman family & paying for the Gas, Electric, and Water bills for a period of time.
• A local Church periodically provided food for the family during this very difficult period.
• The Mayor of the City of Tega Cay purchased the Stockman home using his personal funds to stop the foreclosure procedures. Mayor Bob Runde made special payment arrangements with the Stockman family to pay their monthly mortgage based on a percentage of their total income to enable the Stockman Family to continue living in the house.
• The Stockman’s have utilized all available funds, including Mike’s 401K balance.
• A trust fund has been created for the Stockman Family through “Tega Cay Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Non-Profit Organization. The Tega Cay Community Relations Committee asked the American Community Bank to help manage and coordinate the distribution of fund raising efforts to maintain the integrity of this organization.
• As of January, 2008, Mike Stockman is still trying to keep this disease in check with various medications that are very costly to the family.
• As of October 1st 2007, Mike qualified as being disabled and his wife, Amy will be applying for benefits through Medicare to help pay for the very large medical cost they incur every month to help maintain Mike’s health.
• Mike currently weight’s just under 115lbs. compared to 190lbs in April of 2005.
• Tega Cay Neighbors Helping Neighbors continues to provide periodic assistance when the Stockman family needs help in paying medical bills, food cost to get through the end of the month until Mike Stockman get’s his social security check, and clothing for their children when needed.

Please consider placing the Tega Cay Neighbors Helping Neighbors on your primary list for donations each year. All donations (100%) will go to any needy family in Tega Cay and/or nearby communities that may have a need to help keep their home, food and clothing support for their children.

Tega Cay Neighbors Helping Neighbors Steering Committee prioritizes the families in need when deciding how much TCNHN can help them get through the tough times. If you should have any questions, please contact Bill Stumpf, Tega Cay Community Relations Chairman. (billstumpf@comporium.net) or call Bill at 704-907-9471.