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Everyone has a cause or story that is near to their heart. This one is ours.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016, started out as any other day. Eric McElroy heads into work, where daily, he challenges his clients to be better and live their best life. Jami shuttles kids to their last day of school and daycare and heads home to catch up on work emails. That evening, big brother Mason is playing at the park in his 8U Raptor baseball game and breaking in the new baseball bat he'd gotten the week before as a birthday gift. Across the street, eyes are filled with happy tears at Preschool graduation as sweet Olivia walks across the stage in purple graduation cap and proud mom and dad receive big waves from their freckle-faced graduate. Little Samuel is along for the ride with his contagious laugh and ornery grin, alternating the laps of papa to papa to grandma throughout the event.
The course of that day changed dramatically when Eric received test results indicating the likelihood of leukemia. On Friday, May 27, a team of oncologists at Loyola Medical Center determined that Eric likely has chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The results of a bone marrow test on Monday, May 31 confirmed their diagnosis.
This type of leukemia typically affects older adults and is caused by a chromosome mutation that occurs spontaneously. Doctors aren't sure what causes the mutation. Many people don't develop symptoms until later stages and the diagnosis is only made through routine blood work. When symptoms do occur, they include bleeding easily, feeling rundown or tired, weight loss, pale skin, and night sweats.
Family, friends and acquaintances, I challenge you to consider making a donation to this young family of five as they embark on a journey not many of us will ever have to face. As two self-employed professionals, there will be many challenges they'll face as time is dedicated to fighting this battle and spending time with family. Unfortunately, CML will be a lifelong battle for Eric and with that, comes the expenses incurred of trying to fight it. Eric will continue to work as energy allows but has had to dramatically reduce his work weeks.
Let's take this opportunity to show Jami and Eric just how much they mean to us. Every dollar you give allows them the time to be together without the added stress of financially maintaining a household.
We ask for your love, support and prayers over Eric. We believe that he has what it takes to fight this disease and that is four of the most beautiful reasons to live--Jami, Mason, Olivia and Samuel.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
John and Sue McElroy
Laura and Ben Redenius
Mack and Brenda Wilken
Staci Wilken
Kyli Markley
Cody Wilken
Nieces and nephews Cole, Natalie, Easton, Trinity and Kolby
Wednesday, May 25, 2016, started out as any other day. Eric McElroy heads into work, where daily, he challenges his clients to be better and live their best life. Jami shuttles kids to their last day of school and daycare and heads home to catch up on work emails. That evening, big brother Mason is playing at the park in his 8U Raptor baseball game and breaking in the new baseball bat he'd gotten the week before as a birthday gift. Across the street, eyes are filled with happy tears at Preschool graduation as sweet Olivia walks across the stage in purple graduation cap and proud mom and dad receive big waves from their freckle-faced graduate. Little Samuel is along for the ride with his contagious laugh and ornery grin, alternating the laps of papa to papa to grandma throughout the event.
The course of that day changed dramatically when Eric received test results indicating the likelihood of leukemia. On Friday, May 27, a team of oncologists at Loyola Medical Center determined that Eric likely has chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The results of a bone marrow test on Monday, May 31 confirmed their diagnosis.
This type of leukemia typically affects older adults and is caused by a chromosome mutation that occurs spontaneously. Doctors aren't sure what causes the mutation. Many people don't develop symptoms until later stages and the diagnosis is only made through routine blood work. When symptoms do occur, they include bleeding easily, feeling rundown or tired, weight loss, pale skin, and night sweats.
Family, friends and acquaintances, I challenge you to consider making a donation to this young family of five as they embark on a journey not many of us will ever have to face. As two self-employed professionals, there will be many challenges they'll face as time is dedicated to fighting this battle and spending time with family. Unfortunately, CML will be a lifelong battle for Eric and with that, comes the expenses incurred of trying to fight it. Eric will continue to work as energy allows but has had to dramatically reduce his work weeks.
Let's take this opportunity to show Jami and Eric just how much they mean to us. Every dollar you give allows them the time to be together without the added stress of financially maintaining a household.
We ask for your love, support and prayers over Eric. We believe that he has what it takes to fight this disease and that is four of the most beautiful reasons to live--Jami, Mason, Olivia and Samuel.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
John and Sue McElroy
Laura and Ben Redenius
Mack and Brenda Wilken
Staci Wilken
Kyli Markley
Cody Wilken
Nieces and nephews Cole, Natalie, Easton, Trinity and Kolby
Organizer and beneficiary
Eric McElroy
Beneficiary