Emma & Howarth Family Recovery Fund
Donation protected
Introduction:
My name is J P (Jay) Howarth; I'm a husband and father of two. My son Hayden is 15 and my daughter Emma is 12 years old. My wife Debbie and I will soon be celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary.
It has been difficult for me to document our story and even more difficult to ask for anyone’s help but our daughter Emma is in dire need of support.
In July 2018, Emma was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) at our local hospital. She was rushed to Sick Kids Hospital, in Toronto, to begin treatments. Emma would remain there for almost a year with Debbie never leaving her side.
If you have been through the illness of a child, you know how helpless you feel as a parent as you watch your child ebb and flow between good days and bad, without certainty of outcome or the ability to provide them true comfort or healing.
Our Daughter Emma:
She is our beautiful little angel. Emma is so full of courage, grace, love, determination, humour and glorious artistic talent. It has been heartbreaking to see her suffering and fighting so hard for her life. In December 2018, she underwent a successful Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT). She and my wife were finally able to move back home in March 2019.
Sadly, in May 2020, Emma was having trouble breathing and she was rushed back to Sick Kids. Emma was placed in ICU and put on a ventilator. We were devastated when she was diagnosed with Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease of the lungs. This is related to her BMT and there is no cure. Her doctors told us that they could only “make her comfortable enough to come home and be with her family”. We have had to ensure a sterile environment for Emma, as well as install a ventilator and oxygen equipment in her bedroom and throughout the house. This is the only way to keep her with us.
All of our energy and resources are now going toward helping Emma to get stronger, while we work exhaustively in pursuit of any new treatment solutions. She requires medical and therapeutic equipment, medications, physio and massage therapies. As well, we need to make upgrades to our home to create and maintain a “safe environment” for her. We also need to prepare as best we can for any future emergencies.
Why am I writing this?
I am reaching out now, as I no longer have the ability to support Emma or my family, physically or financially. Back in 2017, I began having trouble with motor skills, tremor, walking, weakness, fatigue, coordination, and breathing. By April 2018, I had declined to the point where I had to go on medical leave. My doctors are still pursuing an underlying neurological movement disorder but have diagnosed Sensorimotor Peripheral Polyneuropathy and Autonomic System Neuropathy. These conditions are a body wide systemic process that damage nerves cells, fibers and coverings causing an interruption in messaging between the nerve cells and muscles.
I have not been able to work or earn any income since 2018. I was denied Long Term Disability and I have had to hire a lawyer to deal with this. This has all been devastating financially and we have exhausted our savings.
For the first time in my life I am afraid, and I feel like I am failing as a father. We are running out of time and resources. Our only hope is for a financial bridge to care for Emma and to keep a roof above our heads and get us all back on our feet.
Our campaign goal is $125,000.00 to help with:
● The required repairs and upgrades to our home so it remains sterile; an absolute must with Emma’s lung condition.
● In home hydrotherapy for Emma. This is the only treatment to help her keep movement and to progress physically. Due to her compromised immune system and lung function, external sites are not an option for her.
● Obtaining traditional and alternative treatments for Emma.
● In-home rehabilitation treatments for both Emma and myself, in the form of physical, occupational and massage therapies.
● Medications for both Emma and I that are not covered by government insurance.
● Medical and rehabilitation equipment.
● Health willing, in the future I plan to start consulting from home on a part time basis in my former field of work. I pray this will allow me to support my family again. To do this I require tuition fees to complete my Blockchain certification at Cornell University (eCornell).
In conclusion:
For the sake of Emma and my family, I am striving to remain positive. I pray everyday that we are provided some measure of relief so we can focus on healing and building a brighter future together. Please keep us in your thoughts, and prayers, as we continue this journey towards health and happiness. Thank you.
With much love and appreciation,
J P Howarth
My name is J P (Jay) Howarth; I'm a husband and father of two. My son Hayden is 15 and my daughter Emma is 12 years old. My wife Debbie and I will soon be celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary.
It has been difficult for me to document our story and even more difficult to ask for anyone’s help but our daughter Emma is in dire need of support.
In July 2018, Emma was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) at our local hospital. She was rushed to Sick Kids Hospital, in Toronto, to begin treatments. Emma would remain there for almost a year with Debbie never leaving her side.
If you have been through the illness of a child, you know how helpless you feel as a parent as you watch your child ebb and flow between good days and bad, without certainty of outcome or the ability to provide them true comfort or healing.
Our Daughter Emma:
She is our beautiful little angel. Emma is so full of courage, grace, love, determination, humour and glorious artistic talent. It has been heartbreaking to see her suffering and fighting so hard for her life. In December 2018, she underwent a successful Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT). She and my wife were finally able to move back home in March 2019.
Sadly, in May 2020, Emma was having trouble breathing and she was rushed back to Sick Kids. Emma was placed in ICU and put on a ventilator. We were devastated when she was diagnosed with Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease of the lungs. This is related to her BMT and there is no cure. Her doctors told us that they could only “make her comfortable enough to come home and be with her family”. We have had to ensure a sterile environment for Emma, as well as install a ventilator and oxygen equipment in her bedroom and throughout the house. This is the only way to keep her with us.
All of our energy and resources are now going toward helping Emma to get stronger, while we work exhaustively in pursuit of any new treatment solutions. She requires medical and therapeutic equipment, medications, physio and massage therapies. As well, we need to make upgrades to our home to create and maintain a “safe environment” for her. We also need to prepare as best we can for any future emergencies.
Why am I writing this?
I am reaching out now, as I no longer have the ability to support Emma or my family, physically or financially. Back in 2017, I began having trouble with motor skills, tremor, walking, weakness, fatigue, coordination, and breathing. By April 2018, I had declined to the point where I had to go on medical leave. My doctors are still pursuing an underlying neurological movement disorder but have diagnosed Sensorimotor Peripheral Polyneuropathy and Autonomic System Neuropathy. These conditions are a body wide systemic process that damage nerves cells, fibers and coverings causing an interruption in messaging between the nerve cells and muscles.
I have not been able to work or earn any income since 2018. I was denied Long Term Disability and I have had to hire a lawyer to deal with this. This has all been devastating financially and we have exhausted our savings.
For the first time in my life I am afraid, and I feel like I am failing as a father. We are running out of time and resources. Our only hope is for a financial bridge to care for Emma and to keep a roof above our heads and get us all back on our feet.
Our campaign goal is $125,000.00 to help with:
● The required repairs and upgrades to our home so it remains sterile; an absolute must with Emma’s lung condition.
● In home hydrotherapy for Emma. This is the only treatment to help her keep movement and to progress physically. Due to her compromised immune system and lung function, external sites are not an option for her.
● Obtaining traditional and alternative treatments for Emma.
● In-home rehabilitation treatments for both Emma and myself, in the form of physical, occupational and massage therapies.
● Medications for both Emma and I that are not covered by government insurance.
● Medical and rehabilitation equipment.
● Health willing, in the future I plan to start consulting from home on a part time basis in my former field of work. I pray this will allow me to support my family again. To do this I require tuition fees to complete my Blockchain certification at Cornell University (eCornell).
In conclusion:
For the sake of Emma and my family, I am striving to remain positive. I pray everyday that we are provided some measure of relief so we can focus on healing and building a brighter future together. Please keep us in your thoughts, and prayers, as we continue this journey towards health and happiness. Thank you.
With much love and appreciation,
J P Howarth
Organizer and beneficiary
Jay Howarth
Organizer
Debbie Howarth
Beneficiary