Provide Hope and Healing for Blair

Our GoFundMe is to help with Blair’s medical expenses and provide a service dog to support both Blair and Crystal. Blair was diagnosed with a rare cancer, Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), that has metastasized throughout her body. Recently, we learned that the subtype of tumor that she has is even rarer and more aggressive than others.

The medical expenses make sense, but I’m sure some wonder, Why a service dog?

Blair had her entire world turned upside down in the blink of an eye. All the pokes, prods and blood draws have taken their toll and she has really struggled. At one point she told us through tears, “I really hate people,” and on another occasion, “I just want to hide.” We are thankful that her aversion to scrubs and stethoscopes subsided, but she will understandably shut down and not cooperate with anyone she thinks will hurt her. We have even had to tell staff members that no matter how hard they try, they aren’t going to be successful.

The treatment protocol for this type of cancer is intense and long. It requires 12-18 months of treatment, including surgery, chemo and radiation. If there is a week spent outside the hospital, it has multiple appointments at the hospital. The one bright spot in all of these visits is Millie.

Millie is the hospital service dog at Dayton Children’s. She has helped calm Blair down and made things better for everyone. Millie is in very high demand because so many have seen the difference a service dog can make in the support of a child going through a life threatening illness, therefore she is not available often. We have been amazed at how much she has helped give hope to Blair, but Millie is only available during weekdays, not evenings, weekends or holidays. Unfortunately, cancer doesn’t take time off. Even when it’s not ‘normal’ business hours, there’s still a need for support.

Compounding life, Crystal has been afflicted with a walking disability from a neurological disease ten years ago. Daily tasks and walking any further than the next room are often difficult for her. Caring for Blair, especially taking her to and from hospital visits are especially difficult on a mobility front for Crystal.

Service dogs are very expensive, costing between $20,000-30,000. This is a significant amount to spend on a dog. But, if it gives Blair the ability to regain trust and the will to fight this awful disease, it is worth every penny.

This cancer is intense. This treatment is intense and mental headspace plays a big role in prognosis and outcome. Blair has a long road ahead of her, but please help us in providing Blair and Crystal a service dog. Without a doubt, it will be hope to Blair in the form of a four legged friend as well as provide mobility support for Crystal so she can better care for Blair.