Help Johnny beat leukemia fund
Donation protected
On April 14, 2016, my friend's John & Sharon Van Kemp heard words that they NEVER wanted to hear. Johnny’s cancer had relapsed. Johnny had just turned 12 and had been enjoying life to the fullest after enduring 3+ difficult years of treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). His remission lasted only 10 months before cancer came back into Johnny’s little body.
As I sat with the family on the day they received the news of the relapse, I watched the smiles on their faces that I had grown accustomed to once again disappear. Gone. John & Sharon’s tears were unstoppable. Johnny? He was in shock. “I can’t believe that I got it again - I just want to survive" is what Johnny kept saying over and over.
Besides the praying that never ceases, one of the first things I thought of was - how can I help be a part of the effort to help Johnny. First of all, I know that Sharon & John were both raised with humility and dignity, and they were always taught to be self reliant. Those of you that know them best know that they have always been there for everyone else, all their lives. They are always caring and loving to friends, and strangers. It is the way they are, and we love them for that. However, with this huge battle now in front of them, there will be many challenges ahead and for the first time in their lives, they will likely need to count on others, something that takes them so far out of their 'comfort zone'.
John & Sharon have confided in me that the first time Johnny was diagnosed with cancer back in 2012, even with excellent medical benefits, their personal 'out of pocket' expenses were in the 'tens of thousands', and probably even greater. As any parent would do, they spent whatever it took to get Johnny back to full health, and they did everything and anything for their Johnny.
I am creating this GoFundMe page is to assist the Van Kemps financially for the battle that is ahead of them. Since the news of Johnny’s relapse, word has spread and many have asked what they can do. It is going to be a difficult, terrible, long, and yes, expensive journey.
God Bless you for considering this and PLEASE pray for Johnny…our little Iron Man as many of us call him.
As I sat with the family on the day they received the news of the relapse, I watched the smiles on their faces that I had grown accustomed to once again disappear. Gone. John & Sharon’s tears were unstoppable. Johnny? He was in shock. “I can’t believe that I got it again - I just want to survive" is what Johnny kept saying over and over.
Besides the praying that never ceases, one of the first things I thought of was - how can I help be a part of the effort to help Johnny. First of all, I know that Sharon & John were both raised with humility and dignity, and they were always taught to be self reliant. Those of you that know them best know that they have always been there for everyone else, all their lives. They are always caring and loving to friends, and strangers. It is the way they are, and we love them for that. However, with this huge battle now in front of them, there will be many challenges ahead and for the first time in their lives, they will likely need to count on others, something that takes them so far out of their 'comfort zone'.
John & Sharon have confided in me that the first time Johnny was diagnosed with cancer back in 2012, even with excellent medical benefits, their personal 'out of pocket' expenses were in the 'tens of thousands', and probably even greater. As any parent would do, they spent whatever it took to get Johnny back to full health, and they did everything and anything for their Johnny.
I am creating this GoFundMe page is to assist the Van Kemps financially for the battle that is ahead of them. Since the news of Johnny’s relapse, word has spread and many have asked what they can do. It is going to be a difficult, terrible, long, and yes, expensive journey.
God Bless you for considering this and PLEASE pray for Johnny…our little Iron Man as many of us call him.
Organizer and beneficiary
Cathy Reid Satchell
Organizer
Summerfield, NC
John Van Kemp
Beneficiary
