Gerald has been a good friend and supporter of the UMKC University Libraries. He always has a smile and a friendly greeting for everyone that he meets. As a volunteer greeter for the UMKC Libraries’ Civil Rights Film and Scholars series, he stood for hours providing directions and answering questions on his days off. Gerald always asks the question, “How may I help you?” Now Gerald needs our help.

This last year has been incredibly challenging for the Tibbs–emotionally, physically, and financially. Stem cell transplants cost a lot. An autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant may range from $200,000 to $500,000. Even with insurance, there are many out-of-pocket expenses including hardship expenses while recovering from transplant, travel to and from the transplant center for care and follow-up, caregiver expenses, and the costly immunosuppressant medications that Gerald will have to take for the rest of his life.

To help with the financial burden of Gerald’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Midwest/West Bone Marrow Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a contribution.

Thank you very much for your good wishes and generosity as Gerald and Gloria face this challenge.

Tracey Hughes, Coordinator, Friend & Colleague
816-799-7371, [email protected]