We still feel the long-term effects over the past year losing our WillowRue. We previously had fundraised for medical bills, her funeral, & life needs when we were constantly in and out of the hospital. This past year Giles was able to start a new job that would bring more hope to our financial crisis, but this has not helped our family catch up. The effects of cancer on a family, any family, is a long a difficult one. We had hoped we could escape this crisis on our own, but the past two years took so much from us that catching up alone is impossible. Without having any biological family from either Giles or myself, it left us to fall upon Rue’s Crew during her time on earth. However, we felt it was unfair to continue to ask for support felt wrong given our WillowRue wasn’t here & all the fundraising was for her life here. But there is still our life after Rue, & as her parents, we have to swallow our pride & ask for help once more.

We have bills from Rue’s medical needs and my own as I recently have had medical problems & have been getting many tests done. We are also trying to keep our home permanently, which is another big piece we carry. We know this time of year is hard for many families, so we started Rue's Christmas giving to children in the hospital, which you have all been so gracious to help with. We wouldn't ask if our family wasn't in a dire situation. You all who have followed our WillowRue have become one of our only support systems, and some close friends encouraged us to open up about where we are at and see if our community was able to help once more. If you can help, we would greatly appreciate your generosity.