Help Baby Nate Beat Leukemia
Donation protected
Please know that our family has been so deeply touched by how many of you have reached out to offer your love and support.
Baby Nate was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on December 17th, 2020. Nate, PJ and Maureen spent 34 grueling days in the hospital where Nate underwent multiple lumbar punctures with intrathecal chemotherapy, steroids, and countless chemotherapy infusions. Overall Nate tolerated treatment well. As expected, he required multiple blood and platelet transfusions, but amazingly, Nate managed to get through his initial treatment with almost zero complications.
Nate will go through 4 more cycles of intense chemotherapy over the next 4-5 months, followed by two years of "maintenance" chemotherapy. There will be at home treatments, seemingly endless trips back to the hospital, several more planned inpatient stays, and all but guaranteed unplanned stays.
Unfortunately, Maureen exhausted her 12 weeks of FMLA and PTO during her maternity leave and has since taken a leave of absence from her job as an operating room nurse at the University of Chicago Medical Center. PJ was working from home due to the pandemic, but has taken FMLA since Nate’s diagnosis. The lack of protective leave policies for these types of life-altering situations coupled with the intensive care that Nate needs from his mom and dad will likely result in PJ and Maureen having to take extended lengths of unpaid time from work. We aren’t sure yet exactly how extensive the financial repercussions of that will be, but we would like to help PJ, Mo, and Nate avoid any more stress and hardship than they are already enduring.
Maureen and PJ amaze us with their courage and fortitude. Nate inspires us with his strength, his continued curiosity about the world around him, and his big smiles. We ask for your prayers, good intentions, love, and support for their beautiful little family. For those of you who feel called to contribute financially, we have set up this fundraiser as an avenue for doing so. We are endlessly thankful for your support.
Baby Nate was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on December 17th, 2020. Nate, PJ and Maureen spent 34 grueling days in the hospital where Nate underwent multiple lumbar punctures with intrathecal chemotherapy, steroids, and countless chemotherapy infusions. Overall Nate tolerated treatment well. As expected, he required multiple blood and platelet transfusions, but amazingly, Nate managed to get through his initial treatment with almost zero complications.
Nate will go through 4 more cycles of intense chemotherapy over the next 4-5 months, followed by two years of "maintenance" chemotherapy. There will be at home treatments, seemingly endless trips back to the hospital, several more planned inpatient stays, and all but guaranteed unplanned stays.
Unfortunately, Maureen exhausted her 12 weeks of FMLA and PTO during her maternity leave and has since taken a leave of absence from her job as an operating room nurse at the University of Chicago Medical Center. PJ was working from home due to the pandemic, but has taken FMLA since Nate’s diagnosis. The lack of protective leave policies for these types of life-altering situations coupled with the intensive care that Nate needs from his mom and dad will likely result in PJ and Maureen having to take extended lengths of unpaid time from work. We aren’t sure yet exactly how extensive the financial repercussions of that will be, but we would like to help PJ, Mo, and Nate avoid any more stress and hardship than they are already enduring.
Maureen and PJ amaze us with their courage and fortitude. Nate inspires us with his strength, his continued curiosity about the world around him, and his big smiles. We ask for your prayers, good intentions, love, and support for their beautiful little family. For those of you who feel called to contribute financially, we have set up this fundraiser as an avenue for doing so. We are endlessly thankful for your support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Joy Kadowaki
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Paul Kadowaki
Beneficiary
