Help John Beat Leukemia!

Those of you who are fortunate enough to have met John Otten know what a bright light he is. His big heart and even bigger smile bring so much joy to everyone around him. Lately, we have added the title of warrior and fighter to John’s many great traits. John was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) at the beginning of June.

It has been a whirlwind since his diagnosis. John recently came home after 10 days of being in the hospital, but the real work has only just begun. Over the course of the next 8-9 months, John will undergo an unimaginable battery of chemo and procedures, which we know will help add the moniker of Survivor to his long list of accomplishments. John is only four, yet he is teaching us grace and perseverance every single day.

You can’t speak of the Ottens without acknowledging their love and dedication to children. Katie has dedicated her entire adult life to teaching young kids, and big John has switched careers to being a high school biology teacher, after becoming a dad himself. The financial challenges the Ottens are facing, as John will require full time at home care, are staggering. Teachers in California are not eligible for state disability benefits, and are only “given” 12 weeks of unpaid leave, with health benefits, then unpaid leave and no benefits. This goal is set with the hope of recovering the Otten’s lost income between now and March. We are so thankful for your generosity and continued support!

John and his family are ready to fight. They need our help. We humbly ask for any support you are called to give this family in their time of need. Anything helps. Let’s fight alongside John and beat this together! #johnstrong