Lifelong Chowchilla resident fighting cancer, insurance problems

April 23--Gary Ray, a lifelong Chowchilla resident and local businessman, is not only facing the biggest battle of his life, he is having to fight insurance problems in an effort to survive. On March 3, Ray was informed that he has multiple myeloma, an incurable form of bone cancer. After suffering through an extended bout of severe back pain, he went to St. Agnes Hospital in Fresno, where an MRI revealed the cancer. He was then taken to Stanford Medical center for follow-up that included two major back surgeries to stabilize his spine. After several weeks in the hospital, he is now recuperating at home with some uplifting news. Although this type of cancer is not curable, there is a good chance of remission with proper treatment and chemotherapy.

Dealing with cancer is devastating for any family, but finding out that your insurance is not meeting your needs can be overwhelming. The next hurdle is the high cost of treatment. One of his doctors made this statement: "Although the success rate of getting this cancer in remission is good, the cost of treatment is very high."

Kelle and Gary Ray have been covered by Blue Cross for over 20 years. The monthly cost of their insurance in 2013 was $504. In January that policy was discontinued. They were issued a comparable policy at $1250 a month. Kelle Ray negotiated with the insurance company and by removing their three children from the policy, the amount was reduced to $648 a month. Their two daughters obtained health coverage through their respective colleges. Their son, who is 18, picked up health coverage through Cover California.

Ray's first MRI was delayed for about 10 days until after March 1 to give the insurance company time to get all the paper work done. Two days later, he had to be hospitalized because of his back. After that first MRI, St. Agnes immediately informed him he had bone cancer. The hospital checked with the insurance company and was told they were so far behind they didn't even have the Ray's insurance in the computer yet.

On March 4, the doctors at St. Agnes had already made arrangements for Ray and he was accepted at Stanford but because to the insurance delays they couldn't get approval until March 8.

Ray left the hospital late that evening and Stanford had him on the operating table the following day. All the cancer treatment he has received has been through Stanford.

Insurance delays have already cost Ray about 18 days in treatment time. Last week, Kelle Ray spoke out on the problems with insurance on "The John & Jen Show" on KMJ Radio. She explained the problems and the time involved in finding a doctor to treat her husband because of insurance issues. Precious time that should have been spent at her husband's beside, not on the phone fighting with an insurance company.

On Thursday, after the show, they finally got an appointment with a doctor in Merced who agreed to treat Ray. The battle continues with the cost of the medication. A shot called Velcade that costs $1,566 each.

The doctor's office will bill the insurer, but a check had to be written to guarantee the cost. Gary has to have these shots once a week. At this point it is still up in the air as to what the insurer will do.

Ronnie Ray, Gary's father, said 75 percent of the cost may be refunded, but that the key word is "may."

Gary Ray was a producing dairy farmer for 20 years. He and his wife have three children. Gary is part of the fourth-generation of the Ray family to call Dairyland and Chowchilla home. In recent years Ray has served the community as a locksmith.

Ray's friends and friends of his family are planning a fundraiser on May 24, at the Portuguese Hall in Chowchilla. It has been designated as the Gary Ray Never Give Up BBQ Fundraiser. Event chairmen Steve Weaver and Robert Longatti have made the following promise: "All of the food and entertainment have been donated. One-hundred percent of the proceeds go to help pay for the staggering expense of treatment and travel." Singer-songwriter Terry Brown will perform. Several vacation opportunities, Giants, 49ers and A's tickets and much more will be auctioned off.

Scott Vernon will be master of ceremonies and auctioneer. Vernon was a favorite when he served Chowchilla as an ag instructor at the high school in the late '80s.

"Gary's family, the Ray family, has always actively supported local 4-H, FFA, schools and fair activities. Let us take this time to show our support for the Rays," said Weaver.

The Ray family says it is humbled by the support shown to them. "Your prayers have gotten us over two major hurdles. First Gary's pain is greatly reduced; second, his outlook is very good and his doctors say that a positive outlook is one half of the battle."

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