$10,000 for 10 years of survival
Tax deductible
On June 26th 2018 our son, Lucas Reiling, will be a 10 year survivor of Brain Cancer!! Lucas is an inspiration and an amazing person. When he was just 23 months old we were told the worst news a parent could hear; “your son has a lesion on his brain”. At the time we had no idea what that meant. Well, 10 years later we know exactly what it means. Lucas has been through so much including brain surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, countless MRI’s as well as many other diagnostic testing procedures. We have evolved in his recovery, currently Lucas is doing very well. What does “very well” look like? He lives at home in his new handicap accessible bedroom/bathroom, he uses a wheelchair to ambulate, he wears lots of orthotics including a spinal brace for his scoliosis, AFO’s and arm braces, he wears glasses, he has a G-Tube although after working hard he eats 100% by mouth, he has a nurse or parent by his side 100% of the time, he goes to school where he gets most of his therapies, he uses a ventilator 12 hours a day to breathe and he has a tracheotomy tube. Lucas sees many specialists to stay well including; a Special Needs Pediatrician, Gastroenterologist, Pulmonologist, Endocrinologist, Orthopedist, Optometrist and an Oncologist. It’s not easy but we make sure Lucas is happy and having fun, we concentrate on Lucas’ quality of life.
To honor Lucas we have decided to raise $1000 for each year he has survived, we would like to donate the money we raise to a very special organization - The Brooke Healey Foundation (BHF). The Brooke Healey Foundation has been extremely kind and generous to Lucas and our family. The foundation was created in honor of a special little girl who wasn’t as lucky as Lucas, Brooke. Brooke passed away just 9 months after being diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called a DIPG. The Healey’s were devastated, instead of drowning in their sorrow they went to work researching a cure and helping other children who are cursed with this horrible diagnosis. The board of the BHF works year round, tirelessly doing many amazing things within the pediatric brain cancer community and beyond. I really appreciate how they instantly make a difference in families’ lives. For example, Lucas wanted a very expensive bicycle that he tried at a local abilities expo. I posted a picture of him using the bike on Facebook and mentioned that he would love to ride it out of the expo. Within hours I received a call from Stefani Healey herself asking if the BHF could purchase the bicycle for Lucas. I was surprised and energized as this was not an inexpensive gift, it was actually very expensive. The Healey’s and the BHF were just as excited to give Lucas this accessible bike as he was to receive it. This was not the only time the foundation gave generously to Lucas both monetarily as well as emotionally. I have watched the Brooke Healey Foundation give the same love, devotion and kindness to many children over the years. They become emotionally attached to each child at their time of diagnoses. They visit the children in the hospital and they make sure the families have everything they need.
The BHF is not only wonderful to the families personally; they are just as dedicated to the doctors. They fund research grants and consortiums and they pledge not to stop until a cure is found. In honor of Lucas being a 10 year survivor we would like to raise $10,000 for the Brooke Healey Foundation. We are hopeful that you will help us reach our goal for this very special warrior and foundation!!!
Thank you for your love and support over the past 10 years. We know we could not have gotten through some very difficult setbacks without you. We are grateful for all you have done for us. Let’s keep going, let’s help other families who are on this crazy ride. Not everyone diagnosed with this disease is as lucky as Lucas who has had so many people give generously to make sure he and our family is taken care of. We do realize that Lucas is super special, he is a fighter and a rock star and he makes this journey tolerable. Let’s help the families, who are not as fortunate as ours, let’s help the Healey’s and their foundation continue to thrive. It’s up to us to make a difference and helping The Brooke Healey Foundation succeed is making an incredible impact.
Thank you! We look forward to the next 10 years with our precious fighter, our super hero, Lucas!!!
Love,
Amy and The Reiling Family
To honor Lucas we have decided to raise $1000 for each year he has survived, we would like to donate the money we raise to a very special organization - The Brooke Healey Foundation (BHF). The Brooke Healey Foundation has been extremely kind and generous to Lucas and our family. The foundation was created in honor of a special little girl who wasn’t as lucky as Lucas, Brooke. Brooke passed away just 9 months after being diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called a DIPG. The Healey’s were devastated, instead of drowning in their sorrow they went to work researching a cure and helping other children who are cursed with this horrible diagnosis. The board of the BHF works year round, tirelessly doing many amazing things within the pediatric brain cancer community and beyond. I really appreciate how they instantly make a difference in families’ lives. For example, Lucas wanted a very expensive bicycle that he tried at a local abilities expo. I posted a picture of him using the bike on Facebook and mentioned that he would love to ride it out of the expo. Within hours I received a call from Stefani Healey herself asking if the BHF could purchase the bicycle for Lucas. I was surprised and energized as this was not an inexpensive gift, it was actually very expensive. The Healey’s and the BHF were just as excited to give Lucas this accessible bike as he was to receive it. This was not the only time the foundation gave generously to Lucas both monetarily as well as emotionally. I have watched the Brooke Healey Foundation give the same love, devotion and kindness to many children over the years. They become emotionally attached to each child at their time of diagnoses. They visit the children in the hospital and they make sure the families have everything they need.
The BHF is not only wonderful to the families personally; they are just as dedicated to the doctors. They fund research grants and consortiums and they pledge not to stop until a cure is found. In honor of Lucas being a 10 year survivor we would like to raise $10,000 for the Brooke Healey Foundation. We are hopeful that you will help us reach our goal for this very special warrior and foundation!!!
Thank you for your love and support over the past 10 years. We know we could not have gotten through some very difficult setbacks without you. We are grateful for all you have done for us. Let’s keep going, let’s help other families who are on this crazy ride. Not everyone diagnosed with this disease is as lucky as Lucas who has had so many people give generously to make sure he and our family is taken care of. We do realize that Lucas is super special, he is a fighter and a rock star and he makes this journey tolerable. Let’s help the families, who are not as fortunate as ours, let’s help the Healey’s and their foundation continue to thrive. It’s up to us to make a difference and helping The Brooke Healey Foundation succeed is making an incredible impact.
Thank you! We look forward to the next 10 years with our precious fighter, our super hero, Lucas!!!
Love,
Amy and The Reiling Family
Organizer
Amy Reiling
Organizer
New Providence, NJ
Brooke Healey Foundation
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
