Want to join us and make a difference this holiday season? The MBV Foundation was founded to help veterans, particularly those with ties to USC. Below is a story from one of our USC student veterans who needs our help. Thank you in advance for your non-profit donation to this cause that will truly make an impact for this family.

Good afternoon everyone,

My name is Christopher Stewart, and I'm a senior at USC Marshall majoring in Business Administration. I'm a ten-year Army veteran that deployed once to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, and I am now using my VR&E benefits at USC.

I'm writing to you because this holiday season will be far more difficult than any I have been through so far. My fiance Amanda gave birth to our twin boys Benjamin and James on October 17 of this year, and the following Thursday on October 27th, Amanda was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Amanda had a nagging cough throughout the second half of her pregnancy, and the doctors always attributed her symptoms to the fact that she was carrying twins that were pushing upward on her diaphragm. After the children were born, her cough and shortness of breath continued, so we went to urgent care. The doctors found fluid in her lungs, and after it was drained and tested, cancerous cells were found to be present. Because her diagnosis required extensive X-rays and radioactive scans, her doctors recommended that Amanda discontinue breastfeeding our children, and we have since switched them to formula.

Amanda's cancer is known as ALK Positive. ALK+ is a very aggressive cancer that affects young non-smoking women primarily, but there are some very hopeful treatments available. Instead of standard chemo transfusions, Amanda will be taking pills every day and going in for scans quarterly. We are very hopeful her treatment will go well, and we are extremely grateful for every day we have together as a family.

Both babies are healthy and growing quickly, and are eating about one can of formula every two to three days. As a full time student, the only income I have comes from my VA disability and education benefits. Amanda is not able to work yet, though we are hopeful she can go back to working after her cancer treatment has made some improvements on how she is feeling.

I wanted to ask you all if you knew of any resources at USC meant for people in positions similar to the one that I find myself in. Our immediate families have been as helpful as they can during this time, but our expenses are piling up quickly. The formula we use (Similac 360 Total Care) costs about $45 a can, and the co-pays on Amanda's scans and prescriptions are not cheap. Does USC or any organization on campus conduct any formula or diaper drives during the holidays? I never imagined I would find myself in this position, so I don't really know where to begin to ask for help.

Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Christopher Stewart