Call to Help Lon from Phantoms & Monsters

A lot of you reading this are probably familiar with Phantoms & Monsters run by Lon Strickler. I have no idea how long he’s been at it now, but I know when I started HJ in 2009, he was (and still is) one of the preeminent paranormal blogs.

And if you are familiar with him and frequent his blog, you may already be aware of what him and his wife are going through. Perhaps you’ve already helped. If not, this will fill you in.

MY ASSOCIATION WITH LON AND PHANTOMS & MONSTERS

Several years ago Eric Altman invited me to be a guest on Beyond the Edge, a radio show he co-hosted with Lon. (They’ve since gone their separate ways to do other things, with Eric still hosting BTE and Lon now hosting Arcane Radio.)

I will never forget them reaching out. I of course knew of Lon, but that I had made his radar in any way, shape or form? WOW!

We’ve kept in touch over the years thanks to handy social networking places like Facebook. That’s how I became aware something was up with his wife Vanessa.

LON’S WIFE, VANESSA

I have never met or spoken to Vanessa, but Lon often refers to her and it feels like I know her.

When I heard she had cancer, my heart immediately went out to them both. It probably would’ve anyway but…

CANCER SYMPATHY

Ever since my experience with it while first caring for my mom during her final days of cancer in 2008, and then getting diagnosed with it myself five months after her death, I’m a lot more sympathetic.

And when I hear of friends facing their own struggles? Well…

Wayne and I didn’t have much help back then. Luckily financially we were okay, and we had a huge support contingency (that was predominately all out of town), but we really didn’t have people here to help with things.

That’s where the sympathy really kicks in.

Everyone has different challenges when facing cancer. I could’ve used more help with the daily stuff cancer creates; Lon and Vanessa have fallen on times where they need some financial assistance.

VANESSA’S MEDICAL SUPPORT FUND

The other day Lon shared Vanessa’s Medical Support GoFundMe account with me.

It explains why he set it up and is reaching out to those he knows for help.

I’m now asking if you read this, please click the link to her account (http://www.gofundme.com/GetWellVanessa) and help in any way you can afford.

Even if it’s as humble as $5, your generosity is immense and I’m positive Lon and Vanessa will appreciate it more than words can convey.

If I lived closer I’d offer to bring meals, run errands, do whatever else they may need. Since I don’t, and I know this is the kind of help they need and would appreciate most, I made sure to donate.

Now I’m making sure to spread the word.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

If you’re financial status doesn’t allow enough wiggle room to help out that way, please share Vanessa’s GoFundMe account amongst your network of friends.

Sharing is caring too and the more who see it, the more help we may be able to raise for Lon and Vanessa.