Memorial Contributions for Channon Rose

My friend and her family said goodbye to their husband and father last week, following a long and painful battle with cancer. Over the last several years I witnessed Shannon and her children fight so hard to keep Channon with them. Endless appointments and long drives to Philadelphia for treatment, tough decisions at every turn. Anyone that has battled cancer knows you have your highs where you just know you can beat it. Then you have your lows where you are not sure how you can take one more curve ball. As the cancer spread throughout his body it was getting harder to fight.

Channon told his wife he was tired and the series of events that followed those words brings us to this place of love and compassion for a family that did not want to say goodbye but knew it was time. Channon Rose passed away Wednesday surrounded by his family and friends.

Cancer treatment takes a toll- emotionally and financially on everyone. Channon's care was entrusted to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and the care they received was phenomenal. That care came with a price with the family sacrificing 2 1/2 hour drives and countless overnight stays to accommodate his treatment. Gas and food on the road, wear and tear on their vehicle. High deductible and out of pocket insurance, and children to feed and care for. Shannon managed this all on one income for as long as she could. Her children also stepped up and did what they could to keep their household running.

When I last spoke to Shannon to offer condolences I flat out asked what could we do. So many people have reached out to offer support and I wanted to be sure we focused that support where she needed it the most.

What she said next just took my breath away. When it became clear Channon was not going to recover he had a conversation with his daughter about arrangements. Channon had his heart set on a beautiful headstone not just for him, but for his wife Shannon. He knew she would not be joining him anytime soon but he was intent on holding up his promise of everlasting love for his wife. They will meet again, one day- and I'd love for his last wish to be accommodated. Funeral arrangements are expensive and quite frankly very overwhelming for anyone, but when you have to face the cost head on following years of extensive financial burden, the task just feels impossible. Shannon has done an amazing job at holding it all together, but it is time to lift her up with assistance.

We all want to help Shannon make this last wish come true for her husband. I want Channon to have the resting place he deserves and earned following his battle with cancer.

Please help this family with their healing process and alleviate the financial burden of granting a dying man a resting wish.

On behalf of her family and friends, co-workers and peers- we Thank You from the bottom of our hearts.