When Stella was diagnosed with cancer 4 years ago, we were shocked, sad, and incredibly busy (life with 2 toddlers, a baby, and a kindergartner plus cancer treatments was a bit much). She’s still in remission, and gets check-ups every other month to make sure her cancer does not return.

Now that Abby is fighting the same leukemia, I’m mad. This time we have co-pays, we’re far from our support systems, and Abby is old enough to ask hard questions. We’re asking for your help partly for the co-pays and extra expenses to receiving care in a civilian hospital, but mostly because we have plans to start a charitable organization.

After all, we’re very lucky. Abby and Stella have curable cancers. We have insurance. We have a stay-at-home dad and mom doesn’t have to quit her job to care for our family. My family and close friends can travel to support us. So many other families are facing pediatric cancers without hope of cures or adequate resources. We plan to use these funds to start a sustainable foundation to donate to St Baldricks (funds the research that guides the twins’ treatment), St Jude (St Jude patients never receive medical bills) and Make-A-Wish. The details are still in the works, but up-front funding will make the process smoother.

Thanks for supporting our girls and helping us make this lousy situation better for us and others.