Help Sally Fight Cancer

As many of you know our mother, Sally Behanna, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma in late 2018. It’s a tragic fact that almost all of us have a friend or family member who has been impacted by the vicious disease that is cancer. The physical toll this terrible disease takes is evident, but the financial burden of fighting cancer is its own battle. We’d like to share some lesser known history about our mother as we ask you to stand with and support her in this fight.

 
 Sally was born November 3rd, 1960 and has battled bravely to celebrate her 59th birthday next month. One of seven children, she inherited both her loving heart and “Casdorph temper” from our grandmother who scrubbed church floors and cleaned houses to ensure the family was fed. Sally's father had passed on early.


While this was a tough start to life, it taught her the importance of both hard work and, most importantly, family bonds. For our mother, family comes first and there is nothing she wouldn’t do for family. When her sister lost her children to the State, Mom and Dad stepped up and battled to adopt them so they could remain part of our family. Taking equity out of their home and engaging in a lengthy legal battle to adopt her third son, Cody. NO ONE had ever fought the State of Pennsylvania to this extent and in turn their persistence set new legal precedence allowing an aunt or uncle legal standing in certain adoption cases. Our family and Cody are eternally grateful for this effort. 


Unfortunately, the cost of funding this legal battle was in the tens of thousands of dollars. This debt is becoming impossible to manage as the medical bills from hospitals stays and cancer treatments pile up. My father is working at the Volvo Truck factory when not at the hospital or taking my mother to treatments. The volvo UAW union has voted to strike and now our parents income and health insurance is in jeopardy.


It is very difficult for hard workers like my Mom and Dad to ask for hand outs. I remember my Mom working multiple jobs while going back to school late in life. She managed to carry a 3.8 GPA while earning her degree in nursing. She worked in both pediatrics and geriatrics taking care of the most vulnerable in our community. She’s told many stories of the joys taking care of babies gave her. And with tears in her eyes she’s told me how she was there to hold the hands of senior citizens as they left this world for a better place. I mention this to show my mother’s loving character and to show that my parents are not idle people. Dean’s love and care for Sally has been great, but even when the strike ends the FMLA is limited and will run out. Any contributions received through this gofundme would allow them to spend more time together. 


I hope these words compel you to help our family in our time of great need. I also pray that we will be there for you should you ever need us. Thank you for your support.

With love and appreciation- Jason, Miranda, Eric & Cody