Fact Check

Suzanne Cramsey

Suzanne Cramsey seeks assistance to treat her rare spider bite.

Published May 2, 2003

Claim:

Claim:   Suzanne Cramsey seeks medical and financial assistance to treat her rare spider bite.


Status:   Undetermined.

Example:   [Collected on the Internet, 2003]




Suzanne Cramsey . . . has a very unique medical problem.

Suzanne Cramsey was bitten by a rare spider in March of 2002 and she has literally fallen through the cracks as far as medical treatment is concerned. Her insurance company won't cover her treatment, and she and her husband Steve don't have the resources for the treatment she needs. If she does not get help soon, she's going to lose her arm to amputation.

Jesus showed compassion to those he came in contact with who were suffering. He made the lame walk and the blind see. We can't do what Jesus did, but we can show compassion to someone like Suzanne who needs our immediate help.

This is no urban legend and it's no joke. I have checked out this Mrs. Crasmey's story, have spoken to her church, and am confident that this her story is true. This lady is very ill, and she needs us today.

Her church, McLean Bible Church in Mclean, Virginia, has set up a special fund to help Suzanne and her husband through this medical and financial crisis. I have already sent them a check. If you would also like to help, you may send a check to:

Suzanne Cramsey Spider Bite Fund
C/O Mclean Bible Church
8923 Leesburg Pike,
P.O. Box 9300
McLean, VA 22102

Thank you and God bless you.



Origins:   We're not quite sure yet what to make of this plea. We called the McLean Bible Church and spoke to the Parish Nurse, who said that she knew nothing about this item, and that a parishioner with such a need would almost certainly be assisted by another member of the church. (McLean Bible Church has 9,000 members, many of whom are doctors.) We also spoke to someone at the church office who was not aware of Suzanne Cramsey's situation and knew nothing about a special church fund being established to assist her.

So, we wrote to Suzanne at the e-mail address found in some versions of this message and received the following response:



I WAS BIT BY A BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER IN MY BED WHILE ASLEEP, ON 3/26/02. I KNEW QUITE A BIT ABOUT THE PROPER TREATMENT BECAUSE MY DAD WAS BIT BY ONE 6-7 YRS AGO IN CALIFORNIA. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED DR. SWANSON IN CALIFORNIA, AND HE SENT ME THE IMMEDIATE SURGICAL AND POST-OP MEDICAL TREATMENT VIA EMAIL. IT HAS BEEN OVER 1 YEAR SINCE MY BITE, I HAVE SEEN
OVER 16 DOCTORS IN THE VIRGINIA, AND WASHINGTON, D.C. ARE, AND NOT ONE
OF THE SURGEONS OR PLASTIC SURGEONS WOULD ABIDE BY THE PROTOCOL, OR DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER, THE ONLY VENOUS SPIDER WITHOUT A ANTI-VENOM.

MY HUSBAND AND I MOVED TO VIRGINIA OVER 7 YEARS AGO, BECAUSE HE HAS
THREE CHILDREN THAT LIVE BACK HERE WITH THEIR MOTHER. WE FELT LED TO BE APART OF THEIR LIVES, AND RAISE THEM IN CHURCH.

I LIVED IN CALIFORNIA ALL OF MY LIFE, AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO LEAVE MY PARENTS, AND BROTHER AND SISTER, BUT I KNEW THAT THE CHILDREN AND MY HUSBAND NEEDED EACH OTHER, AND HONESTLY I BECAME THEIR MOTHER, AND I JUST LOVE IT. UNFORTUNATELY THEIR BIO-MOM HAS BEEN ON DRUGS, ALCOHOL, AND MANY LEGAL ARRESTS.

OUR CHURCH IN MISSION VIEJO, CALIFORNIA WAS FANTASTIC, AND THEY AGREED WITH OUR DECISION.

MY HUSBAND'S BROTHER IS DAN CRAMSEY, AND HIS WIFE MARCIE THAT WORKS AT THE BALLS FORD ROAD CHURCH. WE BEGAN ATTENDING MCLEAN BIBLE AT BALLS FORD THE THIRD WEEK WE ARRIVED IN VIRGINIA. WE NOW ATTEND ON SATURDAY EVENINGS AT THE NEW FACILITY (WILD LIFE CENTER) IN MCLEAN. I HOPE THIS ANSWERS SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS, AND GOD BLESS YOU. WE HAVE A WONDERFUL CHURCH FAMILY, AND PASTOR LON.

WARMLY IN CHRIST,

STEVE AND SUZANNE CRAMSEY



We'll keep trying to sort out the conflicting information.

Last updated:   30 September 2007


David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.