Christmas Magic: A Family In Need
Donation protected
We’ve decide to forgo any big gifts this year, and instead, sponsor a family that needs some help. We've done this in years past, and it's time to get back to paying joy forward during the holidays. My plan was to begin my search for a struggling family mid-November, however the universe put a deserving family in my path today.
It started with a request on our local Nextdoor website for help locating an, "Angel Tree” in our surrounding area so this mother could provide a few gifts for her children. I emailed her and this is her story....
After relocating her family to Atlanta from NY, she was pregnant with her youngest, Xander (10mos) when she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer. After giving birth, she had to immediately start chemo and radiation. She's been in and out of the hospital for the past 19 months for treatment. A single mother, raising 2 girls and an infant while going through cancer treatments alone - and unable to work. She actually sent me her PET scan report, and a video of her cancer journey. It's very personal, so I won't be sharing it - but trust me when I say - it wasn't easy to watch. Port incisions, scars, radiation burns, etc.
As God would have it, she just received a clear PET scan, no evidence of cancer!
She's ready to get back to work and also is a full-time student who graduates next year with degrees in both Criminal Justice and Psychology.
A bit about her girls:
16 year old: #2 in her graduating class. Just crowned Ms. JROTC during homecoming, and hand picked to be included in a college scholarship program.
10 year old: Excellent student
She is also raising her niece - who is in the honors program at school.
These girls were instrumental in taking care of their infant baby brother while their mom was too sick to. They stepped up for their mom when she was going through treatment, and she wants to show her gratitude by giving them some things off their wish list for Christmas.
I say, let's get everything on their wish list.
So, this is where you come in. Many of those that I know are in the same position that Stacy and I are in. Blessed and grateful.
Those that donate will be invited to a, "Wrap Em Up" party to wrap the gifts, drink some glogg, and engage in some general merriment the week before Christmas.
Season of giving.
It started with a request on our local Nextdoor website for help locating an, "Angel Tree” in our surrounding area so this mother could provide a few gifts for her children. I emailed her and this is her story....
After relocating her family to Atlanta from NY, she was pregnant with her youngest, Xander (10mos) when she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer. After giving birth, she had to immediately start chemo and radiation. She's been in and out of the hospital for the past 19 months for treatment. A single mother, raising 2 girls and an infant while going through cancer treatments alone - and unable to work. She actually sent me her PET scan report, and a video of her cancer journey. It's very personal, so I won't be sharing it - but trust me when I say - it wasn't easy to watch. Port incisions, scars, radiation burns, etc.
As God would have it, she just received a clear PET scan, no evidence of cancer!
She's ready to get back to work and also is a full-time student who graduates next year with degrees in both Criminal Justice and Psychology.
A bit about her girls:
16 year old: #2 in her graduating class. Just crowned Ms. JROTC during homecoming, and hand picked to be included in a college scholarship program.
10 year old: Excellent student
She is also raising her niece - who is in the honors program at school.
These girls were instrumental in taking care of their infant baby brother while their mom was too sick to. They stepped up for their mom when she was going through treatment, and she wants to show her gratitude by giving them some things off their wish list for Christmas.
I say, let's get everything on their wish list.
So, this is where you come in. Many of those that I know are in the same position that Stacy and I are in. Blessed and grateful.
Those that donate will be invited to a, "Wrap Em Up" party to wrap the gifts, drink some glogg, and engage in some general merriment the week before Christmas.
Season of giving.
Organizer
Kate Trahan Shirley
Organizer
Atlanta, GA