We’ve been a little “under the weather” and although the work goes on, we haven’t been able to post for a while. So we’ll take time now to catch you up on some of the little pieces of the pediatric cancer world that you have allowed Anna to change.
First, two little girls, fighting for their lives, without a mom or dad…how unthinkable. Each has just completed a bone marrow transplant which takes them as close to death as possible, in order to give them a chance at life. But both are fighters, and by the grace of God they have the will to fight through the pain and sadness that greets them with every new day. Their illnesses are like a monster, constantly threatening to steal their happiness, their peace, even their lives. And no matter what their diagnosis or the outcome, to some extent, it always succeeds.
$90 Medical Supplies, $250 Kroger gift card, $250 QuikTrip gas card
Sweet little girl from Columbus, GA who just completed her transplant. Because her mother passed away, her precious grandmother now cares for her. The social worker said this grandmother is “absolutely the sweetest woman I’ve met in a while.” Since being released from the hospital, they’ve been living at the Ronald McDonald House and will stay there until she’s allowed to go home. They have very little money to live on and Anna was asked by their social worker if she could help them with food and gas expenses.
$250 Kroger, $250 QuikTrip gas card
13 year old girl, fighting Neuroblastoma. Although she has also just completed a bone marrow transplant, for the next six weeks she will have daily radiation treatments. Once she completes her radiation, she will have to begin another experimental treatment. This type of pediatric cancer is one of the hardest to beat. It is relentless. Because her mother is deceased she lives with an older sister. Social worker requested assistance with the same expenses for them.
Other requests and gifts:
$502 Georgia Power
Single mother struggling to raise four young children by herself without any support from their father. She has been working two jobs, however the number of hours she’s being given to work have dwindled quite a bit. When Anna received this request, the family had two days to pay the balance on their power bill, or their service would be disconnected. Anna would not let that happen.
$289.57 Georgia Power
13 yr. old girl in treatment, has two siblings and divorced parents. Her 3 yr. old brother is having surgery any day now (don’t know what his health issues are). This family is from Africa and they receive no child support from their father. They, too, were facing disconnection of their service, but Anna was able to step in and pay off their power bill.
$633.05 Banktrust
This little girl is fighting cancer and currently going through radiation. Because her care is so demanding, her mother has been unable to work. She is a single parent and, other than some support from a few family members, they have no income. Their needs are tremendous and Anna was only able to make a dent in them. She paid their mortgage, but just couldn’t afford to help with medication costs, power bill, or any of their other expenses. We just pray that your help in keeping their home was enough.