Scott and Sarah's Emergency Medical Fund

Update, 2/15/25, 7:00pm:

Friends, this is really amazing. Thanks to your kindness and generosity, we blew past our initial fundraising goal within the first six hours of this fundraiser going live. Four days later and we've raised over 3.5 times what we initially set out to raise for Scott, Sarah, and Conor.

I know the networks of people looking to ways support them and people rooting for them is so wide, and that's a testament to the special people they are. I want to thank everyone who has donated, shared, and promoted this fundraiser. It's been remarkable to see word get around. Conor is well-supported at CHOR right now. We all want them to have peace of mind as they consider what the future will hold- chemotherapy infusions, in-home care, individualized instruction and education, and of course medical costs. Even some liquidity is a huge help as they navigate insurance, co-pays, reimbursements, and other forms of support available.

With that in mind, I am raising the goal again. As word gets around through Sarah and Scott's networks, you can rest assured that your assistance is still welcome and needed, and Scott and Sarah have committed to paying your kindness forward in the future by supporting the programs that are helping them so much now. Anything you can give helps secure Conor's future and will take care of his needs as they arise.

Thank you all again for your kindness. I know it means the word to the Castro-Mersereau family.

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Update, 2/14/25, 12:00pm:

A Valentine's Day Update: "There are no words, the love for Conor Scott and Sarah pouring in, itself is met with sheer gratitude. The GoFundMe donations are bringing the stress level down a notch for them. The road is going to be a long one but this support goes a long way. Thank you, Love Grammie with Chunky." aka, Scott's mom Sherry and her pup.

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Update 2/13/25, 2:45pm:

Friends, Lauren again. Thank you all so much for your continued generous donations to Scott and Sarah. We have been in touch today and they are incredibly moved by your financial support.

An update from Scott: "All numbers are trending in the right direction and Conor is responding well to treatment thus far. He’s been poked and prodded a lot in the past 48 hours but is resting peacefully. Right now we’re hoping he can come off of the ventilator and feeding tube by Saturday. The nurses have been incredible. They made a playlist for him based on all of his favorite Disney villains." I know we're all happy to hear Conor is staying in good spirits in spite of this all.

We all know that medical expenses are unpredictable and add up quickly. With that in mind, I am happy to say that we are increasing our goal again! Sarah and Scott are so humbled. And, on a personal note, it is a joy to be able to do this for people who have given others so much support and we can now return the kindness.

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Update: 2/12/25, 6:30pm:

Hello everyone, Lauren here. I've been in touch with Scott and Sarah today and they are just so incredibly touched and bolstered by your support and generosity. They're astonished that we've almost reached the initial goal within just a few hours. It's a huge source of relief for them.

With that in mind, and knowing how unpredictable times like these can be and how medical costs add up quickly (and with great humility from Scott and Sarah), we've decided to up the goal. Scott and Sarah wanted me to share that anything that isn't used in this immediate treatment will be saved for Conor's future, and they also have plans to support the Ronald McDonald and the Connor's Heroes program. Connor's Heroes (aptly named!) was founded in 2006 and named for Connor Goodwin, a then-preschooler who triumphed after 2 1/2 years cancer treatments. Now Connor is a grown up and the program continues to help support families dealing with childhood cancer. They've been a huge support to Conor, Sarah, and Scott in these early days. And of course, true to form, the Castro-Mersereau family plan to pay the kindnesses forward in the future.

I hope you'll join me in continuing to give and build up Scott and Sarah's emergency fund for what is to come. If you cannot give financially at this time but want to share other ways you can help support, please scroll to the bottom of this intro and click the link for their "Resource Rolodex". You can also share well-wishes and words of support on that form should you wish to do so.

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Scott, Sarah, and Conor are such special people in all of our lives. We were all heartbroken to hear that Conor was recently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia at the young age of three and a half. They have been incredibly touched by the outpouring of support from everyone they have been able to share the news with.

Conor is a vibrant, kind, funny, lively little boy who was suddenly and unexpectedly diagnosed with leukemia in February after a short but alarming bout of being sick. While this diagnosis was shocking for Scott and Sarah, Conor’s doctors have put together a plan and he is being treated at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHOR). Conor, true to form, remains in good spirits even in these early stages of treatment. For the next month, Scott, Sarah, and Conor will live at CHOR to get Conor’s immediate treatment plan underway. After that is successful, they will return home and continue daily, two-hour chemotherapy infusions at VCU Clinic for treatment. This is expected to continue for at least a year.

Scott and Sarah feel so grateful to have received so many immediate offers of support from friends, family, and colleagues. It is a testament to the special people who they are that so many people are jumping to try to make things easier during this painful time. The team and resources at CHOR, as well as their family, are helping them take care of their most pressing needs. However, looking ahead, they are facing significant life changes to build a new routine that works for Conor and their family. They will likely have to reduce to one income so they can manage Conor’s treatment schedule and caregiving while still maintaining their health insurance.

The best way to help Conor, Scott, and Sarah right now is to help support their emergency medical fund. First, even with insurance, Scott and Sarah will face significant costs associated with Conor’s treatment. Additionally, problems arise whether they be in the form of household repairs, car trouble, appliance replacements, vet bills, or some other unexpected financial burden. Lastly, they will need support for the new costs they will face down the line like in-home support for child development so Conor doesn’t miss out on his critical early education, hotel accommodations for visiting grandparents as necessary, and new supplies to set up and maintain a safe environment for an immuno-compromised toddler.

Anything you can contribute will help directly with managing unknown medical costs and over a year of extensive treatment for Conor ahead. Scott and Sarah’s full attention should be able to be on Conor and his care, and not worry about how to pay for other emergencies that may turn up. Anything you can give to bolster their emergency medical fund and give them peace of mind as they face this unpredictable time is incredibly appreciated.

Thank you all for your unwavering support of and love for this special family as they focus on getting Conor better.

If you'd like to offer other forms of support for when they are needed, please fill out Scott and Sarah's Resource Rolodex here.