Smith Family Raising Funds for Cancer Treatment

Vincent and Kimberly Smith and their children, Brooklyn, Cash, and Vincent Junior “Sully,” are facing the challenge of a lifetime and need help from our community to get through it.

Mr. Smith recently learned that he has a large inoperable tumor surrounding his superior vena cava - the large vein that carries blood from the head, neck, arms and chest to his heart – and that tumor is cancerous.

Mr. Smith, who is employed by Tower Extrusions, will not be able to work for at least six months while he receives radiation and chemotherapy treatment at Texas Oncology in Wichita Falls, Mrs. Smith said.

He is the primary breadwinner for his family, while Mrs. Smith works as the director of the Olney Chamber of Commerce. The couple will welcome a baby in early Au- gust, Mrs. Smith said.

To help tide the family over during those months, Olney realtor Callie Hicks has set up a GoFundMe page, and American Legion Post 414 in Olney will hold a silent auction during its Karaoke Night on March 23.

“For the medical expenses, he should be fully covered,” Mrs. Smith said. It’s the loss of income that is going to hit us the hardest. We have money saved but you never account for this much. It’s just devastating for our family. He’s only 39 and he’s been healthy his whole life.”

Mr. Smith began feeling ill a couple of months ago, suffering from night sweats and having difficulty breathing. It wasn’t until he hit his head at work on Jan. 20 that medical imaging of his chest revealed the tumor and explained his symptom, including lightheadedness and a swollen head and neck, Mrs. Smith said.

“We thought it was concussion symptoms,” she said.

Ironically, Mrs. Smith beat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma about seven years ago, and stands ready to guide her husband through the rigorous treatment.

“We are considering it a blessing because I walked through it and can walk him through it,” she said. “We are looking at no less than six months. It’s going to be a long haul.”

Ms. Hicks urged community members to “come together to lift this family up and provide them with the financial support they need. Any donation, big or small, will help ease their burden so they can focus on Vincent’s health and their growing family.”

Mrs. Smith said she has been overwhelmed with support.

“We just want to say thank you to the community. We have gotten so many phone calls and text messages … This is exactly why we love Olney. There is just this small town love for each other.”

To donate, go to Go-FundMe.com and search for Vincent Smith of Olney, or send funds to $topoftexaskim through CashApp, or mail a check to the Smith family at 34949 State Highway 79 South, Olney, Texas 76374.