The Petrarca Family Fund

Most of Kelly's friends are aware of the immense amount of distress that she and her family have endured in recent months.  On August 15th, Kelly lost her mom, Claudia, after a three-year battle with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. During the last two months of Claudia's life, Kelly’s brother was hospitalized, leaving Kelly and her father to split their time between hospitals and home, caring for them both.

Five days after Kelly’s mom passed away, her son, Isaac, was admitted to Hasbro Children's Hospital.  After multiple tests - spinal taps, a CT scan, MRIs, EEGs - he was diagnosed with Encephalitis. However, doctors are still trying to determine the root cause and what else is going on with the sweet boy we all know and adore.  Currently, Isaac cannot eat, speak or walk. He is intermittently unresponsive, with bouts of agitation and pain that he cannot describe to the nurses, doctors or his mom. He is making slow progress as he works with speech, occupational and physical therapists, but it is expected that he will be hospitalized for a considerably longer period of time.  Understandably, Kelly has not left her son's side.

Kelly and her family (including Isaac) have been unable to grieve the loss of her mom.  She and her dad are currently focusing all of their energy between two hospitals, as they oversee the care of both Kelly’s brother and son.  There are many questions as to where they will go from here, especially once Isaac and her brother are well enough to return home.

Please consider helping Kelly and her family through this very difficult time.  All donations will go directly to the family to help with end of life costs, hospital bills, and many unknown future expenses.  Please keep the Petrarca family in your thoughts and prayers as they truly need it throughout this very trying season. Thank you so much for your love and support!