Help Tristan Survive Cancer
Donation protected
Tristan will be seven years old on November 27th, almost four years to the day since he was first diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive cancer. And after almost a year in remission, his cancer has returned. We're here to help the family focus on Tristan so they can all fight against this aggressive disease.
TRISTAN'S STORY (https://www.facebook.com/tristan.carrion.1)
Tristan's youngest sister, Trinity, had just turned one when the family got the devastating news during the holidays in 2012. With four kids to raise, Sara (mom) and Chris (dad) dug in hard to keep their family together and support Tristan with the courage and temerity it takes to aggressively fight this horrible disease.
Tristan's family devoted every day of their lives for three years to defeat the cancer that invaded Tristan's body, despite losing almost everything they had in the process. And when Tristan turned six they learned his cancer had gone into remission! He and his family believed Tristan was cured.
With relief and thankfulness, the whole family started a new era in their lives. Sara got a new job, Chris acquired his CDL truck driving license. The kids were in school. Their family was still intact.
But things took a tragic turn just a week ago. With Tristan's birthday in two weeks, and after some troubling symptoms were diagnosed, they learned his cancer has returned. "I'm beyond getting down on my knees", said Sara. "I'm face planted in the mud over this. But we have to fight for my son - he deserves to live. We are facing a long, black tunnel and we have to find the light."
Central Oregon Pediatric Associates in Bend is supporting Tristan locally, providing medical care close to home. And Tristan's oncologists are in Portland.
According to Debbie Pantenburg, executive director at Pediatric Foundation in Central Oregon, the local non-profit has pledged to provide 100% of all travel expenses the family needs so that Tristan can make frequent trips to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland. "We will give them money for their gas, food and lodging, plus any auto repairs if they need it. We will make sure they are completely covered for any travel expense."
But, the family is facing months of focused time with Tristan that goes beyond the money they need for travel. Some medications are not covered by their health plan. Sara is determined to give Tristan the highest quality organic foods, with high dose vitamins to boost his immune system. All of this costs more money than the family has.
When Chris is driving, Sara needs help with child care for the girls. Sara can't work when she's caring for Tristan and that makes it really hard to manage their mortgage, utilities and monthly bills. Celebrating the holidays with a few gifts are not even on their radar at this point.
This is where you come in - Pediatric Foundation in Central Oregon is sponsoring a Go-Fund-Me campaign to raise the money Sara and Chris need in their household to support Tristan in every way possible for his medical treatment, quality foods and monthly bills.
We all want to help the family get through the holidays and into a new year knowing they have the support of their neighbors in Central Oregon.
If Tristan has the courage to fight, then we can be there for him. We want Tristan to live.
For those of us who have healthy children, we're grateful. Many of us are planning a warm and happy holiday season with our family. We're grateful for that, too.
If you are willing to help Tristan's family, please consider a contribution. Any amount is helpful. Our goal is to raise $5000 to help the family through the new year, so Sara and Chris don't have to worry about finances - they can just focus on saving Tristan's life.
The money goes directly into Sara and Chris's bank account right here in Bend, Oregon - all funds are received immediately by the family. Pediatric Foundation is managing the campaign to ensure it's successful for the family.
You will get an email acknowledgement for your donation, but it's not tax deductible because it's going directly to Tristan's family.
If you have any questions about this fund or want more information on how to help Tristan, please feel free to contact Debbie Pantenburg through Pediatric Foundation. www.thepediatricfoundation.org
Have a blessed and wonderful holiday and please keep Tristan in your prayers.
TRISTAN'S STORY (https://www.facebook.com/tristan.carrion.1)
Tristan's youngest sister, Trinity, had just turned one when the family got the devastating news during the holidays in 2012. With four kids to raise, Sara (mom) and Chris (dad) dug in hard to keep their family together and support Tristan with the courage and temerity it takes to aggressively fight this horrible disease.
Tristan's family devoted every day of their lives for three years to defeat the cancer that invaded Tristan's body, despite losing almost everything they had in the process. And when Tristan turned six they learned his cancer had gone into remission! He and his family believed Tristan was cured.
With relief and thankfulness, the whole family started a new era in their lives. Sara got a new job, Chris acquired his CDL truck driving license. The kids were in school. Their family was still intact.
But things took a tragic turn just a week ago. With Tristan's birthday in two weeks, and after some troubling symptoms were diagnosed, they learned his cancer has returned. "I'm beyond getting down on my knees", said Sara. "I'm face planted in the mud over this. But we have to fight for my son - he deserves to live. We are facing a long, black tunnel and we have to find the light."
Central Oregon Pediatric Associates in Bend is supporting Tristan locally, providing medical care close to home. And Tristan's oncologists are in Portland.
According to Debbie Pantenburg, executive director at Pediatric Foundation in Central Oregon, the local non-profit has pledged to provide 100% of all travel expenses the family needs so that Tristan can make frequent trips to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland. "We will give them money for their gas, food and lodging, plus any auto repairs if they need it. We will make sure they are completely covered for any travel expense."
But, the family is facing months of focused time with Tristan that goes beyond the money they need for travel. Some medications are not covered by their health plan. Sara is determined to give Tristan the highest quality organic foods, with high dose vitamins to boost his immune system. All of this costs more money than the family has.
When Chris is driving, Sara needs help with child care for the girls. Sara can't work when she's caring for Tristan and that makes it really hard to manage their mortgage, utilities and monthly bills. Celebrating the holidays with a few gifts are not even on their radar at this point.
This is where you come in - Pediatric Foundation in Central Oregon is sponsoring a Go-Fund-Me campaign to raise the money Sara and Chris need in their household to support Tristan in every way possible for his medical treatment, quality foods and monthly bills.
We all want to help the family get through the holidays and into a new year knowing they have the support of their neighbors in Central Oregon.
If Tristan has the courage to fight, then we can be there for him. We want Tristan to live.
For those of us who have healthy children, we're grateful. Many of us are planning a warm and happy holiday season with our family. We're grateful for that, too.
If you are willing to help Tristan's family, please consider a contribution. Any amount is helpful. Our goal is to raise $5000 to help the family through the new year, so Sara and Chris don't have to worry about finances - they can just focus on saving Tristan's life.
The money goes directly into Sara and Chris's bank account right here in Bend, Oregon - all funds are received immediately by the family. Pediatric Foundation is managing the campaign to ensure it's successful for the family.
You will get an email acknowledgement for your donation, but it's not tax deductible because it's going directly to Tristan's family.
If you have any questions about this fund or want more information on how to help Tristan, please feel free to contact Debbie Pantenburg through Pediatric Foundation. www.thepediatricfoundation.org
Have a blessed and wonderful holiday and please keep Tristan in your prayers.
Organizer and beneficiary
Debbie Pantenburg
Organizer
Bend, OR
Sara Carrion
Beneficiary
