In December of 1999, and thanks to the insight of Dr. Ira Buchalter, (Buchalter is an ear, nose and throat specialist), Alex Morrison discovered he had a small tumor on his vocal cords.
Buchalter's wife Madelyn was actually the first person who noticed the raspiness in Morrison's voice and suggested he have it checked out.
Since then Morrison has been on a merry-go-round of trips and treatments for cancer.
He has been to Duke University Hospital and recently completed a unique treatment only offered at Staten Island University Hospital in Staten Island, NY.
The treatment referred to as a "gamma knife," according to Alex's brother Joshua Morrison, is only performed in one hospital in the United States, though it has been used successfully in Europe for ten years. The hospital happened to be on Staten Island where their mother lives.
Joshua points out the important thing about this treatment, a special form of radiation, is it could keep Alex from losing his vocal cords, and therefore his voice.
If he'd had surgery, which at one point seemed the only option, he would have been burdened for life with a tracheotomy. "He would never have been able to swim again or even smell food," Joshua explained.
The upshot of all this is Alex, who is an independent contractor, had no health insurance, like so many Americans.
He was eventually able to get emergency Medicaid, "but it doesn't cover radiation," Joshua said.
Alex, who has lived on St. Thomas for six years, has a lot of caring friends. They have put together a special benefit and a raffle to raise money to help Alex pay his enormous medical bills.
The benefit will be held starting at 12 noon Sunday at shed no. four, Magens Bay. Everyone is asked to bring a dish and the "hat will be passed," to raise some money, according to organizer Larry Stein.
Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each. The prizes include:
Cape Air Passes for two
Dancing Dolphin Sail for two
Kayak Tour for two
Nisky Mail Boxes full Service for one year
Gold’s Gym Membership for one year
Five hours of landscaping
Massage
Body Wrap package $125
MSI $100 gift certificate
Mike’s Paint $ 50 gift certificate
Gold’s Gym $ 100 gift certificate
Cuckoo’s Nest $ 100 gift certificate
Marina Market gift certificate
Island Video gift certificate
Dinner for two at:
Agave Terrace
The Greenhouse
Lulus
The Pointe
Grateful Deli
Anyone who wishes to can make direct donations to Joshua Morrison at Box 335, Nisky Mail Center, St. Thomas, VI 00802. Or for raffle tickets contact Stein at 774-4592.
