This is incredibly hard to do but I am at the point where I have exhausted all options.

I am a mom to 4 amazing kids that have significant health issues and disabilities. All four of my kids are diagnosed on the Autism spectrum, one of them has global developmental delay, sensory processing disorder, and aggression. All 4 kids also (and I) have PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome. PHTS includes Cowden syndrome and Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome (BRRS). Doctors once viewed Cowden syndrome and BRRS as separate conditions. Now, they’re classified under the larger PHTS umbrella because they’re both associated with mutations in your PTEN gene.

PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome is a complex genetic condition with significant implications for affected individuals and their families. If you have Cowden syndrome, you’ll need lifelong surveillance to monitor for benign and cancerous growths to detect any issues at the earliest, most treatable time.

A PTEN mutation can cause cells to grow out of control and form tumors. While PHTS is most commonly associated with benign tumors called hamartomas, out-of-control cell growth can also cause malignant tumors to form. Both tumor types occur when cells multiply rapidly. Unlike benign growths that stay in one place, cancerous tumors can spread throughout your body (metastasize). The cancer cells damage healthy tissue as they spread.

Last December 2024 started our journey as a family traveling to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Since December 2024, we have had to make the trip 8x to Philadelphia and/or NJ and have at least 3 other trips already planned for September and November to CHOP of this year. This has obviously put so many miles and wear on my car.

I currently have a 2014 Ford Escape with 255K miles on it, currently this week the check engine has come on, my transmission is going, and I have not been able to secure a loan. I work full time in Albany (traveling one way 60+ minutes). Two of my children, thankfully, are able to attend the local district but my two youngest attend schools in opposite directions due to their level of needs (Rotterdam and Queensbury). I am not looking for a new car but the ability to purchase a used 8 passenger minivan with 130K or lower would be the goal.

If you feel it in your heart to donate even a few dollars, it will mean the world to my family and allow us to continue to make the trek that is so needed to ensure myself and my children remain as healthy as possible. If you can't donate, if you could please share, that in and of itself would be just as amazing.