Care for Christopher
Donation protected
There are those you consider friends, then there are those with whom you form a deeper bond...more like family. You feel each other's joy and pain, celebrate each other's accomplishments big and small, lift each other's spirits during times of struggle, and provide comfort and support when life goes sideways. This is what family does for one another and just two years ago when I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Stacey and Hugh stepped in when I needed help the most and created a GoFundMe campaign so that I could support my children, pay for medical treatments, and focus on my fight for survival. It is with great sadness that we now find ourselves in a similar situation - this time Stacey and Hugh are now the ones in need as they fight for the survival of Hugh's only son.
Ten years ago Hugh’s son, Christopher, was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma - cancer in his left knee. At the time Stacey and Hugh were living in Scotland and, as Christopher was living with them, they were his primary caregivers. He underwent chemotherapy and had his knee replaced - the BBC had even included him in a documentary they filmed (see video here) . Christopher overcame the Osteosarcoma and had been cancer free until recently.
About two months ago a very large 8.5 inch mass was found in his chest which collapsed his left lung and continues to grow. His doctors have said his chances of survival are very slim. Because Christopher has chosen to fight the cancer, doctors were anxious for him to begin extensive chemotherapy treatments which he just recently started after being treated for a host of medical complications due to infection that ravaged his system as a result of multiple biopsies.
Stacey just returned from Scotland and Hugh has been there for about 6 weeks now. Their lives have been completely turned upside down and as the stress and emotional toll adds up it becomes more difficult for them to support one another, care for their two little girls, and to operate their photography business, which is their sole source of income, when they are living on two different continents (and funding two households).
They have made Christopher's care and treatment their first priority and, as such, have decided to move their lives back to Scotland - at least on a temporary basis. They will need to make the very costly flight back and forth a few more times to get everything in place, and because they are self employed and will be heading there without jobs and essentially walking away from pursuing further business in Michigan, the financial pressures are beginning to mount. They have already paid over $6,500 in airfare in the last two months and anticipate paying at least another $4,000 - $5,000 in the coming two months; and that’s just for airfare.
Stacey is working diligently to get passports for the little ones so they can travel to Scotland allowing them to meet their big brother and for the family to be together for the holidays. Christopher's condition is serious and his survival relies solely on the success of his medical treatments alongside extensive alternative therapies and a healthy diet which Stacey and Hugh work tirelessly to provide as he is far too weak to care for himself.
I ask that you please find it in your hearts to give to a family in need this holiday season. All donations will help ease their burden as they make their transition to Scotland and while they get on their feet, as well as helping to care for Christopher and their two little girls.
With eternal gratitude,
Dionne Haglund
Ten years ago Hugh’s son, Christopher, was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma - cancer in his left knee. At the time Stacey and Hugh were living in Scotland and, as Christopher was living with them, they were his primary caregivers. He underwent chemotherapy and had his knee replaced - the BBC had even included him in a documentary they filmed (see video here) . Christopher overcame the Osteosarcoma and had been cancer free until recently.
About two months ago a very large 8.5 inch mass was found in his chest which collapsed his left lung and continues to grow. His doctors have said his chances of survival are very slim. Because Christopher has chosen to fight the cancer, doctors were anxious for him to begin extensive chemotherapy treatments which he just recently started after being treated for a host of medical complications due to infection that ravaged his system as a result of multiple biopsies.
Stacey just returned from Scotland and Hugh has been there for about 6 weeks now. Their lives have been completely turned upside down and as the stress and emotional toll adds up it becomes more difficult for them to support one another, care for their two little girls, and to operate their photography business, which is their sole source of income, when they are living on two different continents (and funding two households).
They have made Christopher's care and treatment their first priority and, as such, have decided to move their lives back to Scotland - at least on a temporary basis. They will need to make the very costly flight back and forth a few more times to get everything in place, and because they are self employed and will be heading there without jobs and essentially walking away from pursuing further business in Michigan, the financial pressures are beginning to mount. They have already paid over $6,500 in airfare in the last two months and anticipate paying at least another $4,000 - $5,000 in the coming two months; and that’s just for airfare.
Stacey is working diligently to get passports for the little ones so they can travel to Scotland allowing them to meet their big brother and for the family to be together for the holidays. Christopher's condition is serious and his survival relies solely on the success of his medical treatments alongside extensive alternative therapies and a healthy diet which Stacey and Hugh work tirelessly to provide as he is far too weak to care for himself.
I ask that you please find it in your hearts to give to a family in need this holiday season. All donations will help ease their burden as they make their transition to Scotland and while they get on their feet, as well as helping to care for Christopher and their two little girls.
With eternal gratitude,
Dionne Haglund
Organizer
Hugh Anderson
Organizer
Rochester, MI
