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Support #TeamKris

It was the last month of this summer when Kris first mentioned that his left knee hurt. An almost-12-year-old growing boy complaining about pain in his leg isn’t uncommon. But when Kris couldn’t bend his knee to get into the family car, we were concerned. That moment changed our lives forever, and yet we know this journey of hope and healing has only just begun.

We learned last week that the first results we received back in September from our local health care team were overly optimistic and devastatingly inaccurate. After nearly two months of false leads, we were referred to Seattle Children's Hospital. The doctors at Children’s Hospital reacted immediately and we were thrown into action for a potentially urgent situation.

On November 5, 2018, Kris had a biopsy on the bone and tissue surrounding his tibia. We soon learned that Kris has Osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, in his left tibia. Our lives are now on fast forward.

On November 14, 2018, Kris had a procedure to put a port into his chest. This port will allow  easier access for chemotherapy and other medications to flow into his body. The first round of chemotherapy starts on November 15th. 

Heather and Kris will stay in Seattle while Kris undergoes his treatment. Marty will remain in Bellingham to work and keep Scarlet & Juniper in school. We plan to switch as schedules allow, so that both Heather and Marty can keep up with work and have time with all of their children. We are on the waiting list for the Ronald McDonald house, and are currently seeking lodging in Seattle for Kris between in-patient stays and that can accommodate the family on weekends. The logistics of caring for a child in a city 90 miles away is not insurmountable, but it is challenging. The course of treatment is estimated to last around 30 weeks.

We're so grateful for the outpouring of support, love, prayers, and energy that have already been extended to help our family through this time.  Sarah Brand has started a meal train sign-up to offer help for the family members staying in Bellingham.  We will be incurring expenses traveling between Bellingham and Seattle, staying at the hospital and in a hotel until we can get in to the Ronald McDonald House, and paying for food and general living expenses for an extra household.  You can help the Carter family  through this difficult time by making a gift to help offset some of these expenses.

Please help us pay for Kris’ medical needs and housing costs.
Estimated costs for our family in 2018/2019 are $30,000. 

Please follow Kris’s healing journey on Facebook  and show your love and support.

All our love and blessings to your families, 
Marty, Heather, Ivy, Scarlet, Kris and Juniper
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $550 
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer

Heather Carter
Organizer
Bellingham, WA

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