Dear JJCCF Friends, This newsletter is about Felix Castillo’s story and a plea for your year-end support. Dorymar is a single Mom that in the past has been able to support her four young children up until Felix got diagnosed with cancer last year. A diagnosis of childhood cancer creates an immediate medical and emotional crisis while also creating a financial crisis for many families. No parent prepares for this encounter. Childhood cancer most often requires the fulltime care of a parent so evidently an income is lost temporarily. Dorymar will struggle financially until Felix is done with treatment. JJCCF needs contributions to help this family through this crisis. JJCCF is collecting tax-deductible donations in honor of Felix Castillo:
Thank you to The Wasie Foundation, Children’s Aid Club, Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation and Love Jen Fund for your collaboration and support. Also, JJCCF has partnered with ABC Channel 10 - Local 10 Care Force to further assist Felix. You may read Felix’ story and view his video on Channel 10 website: www.justnews.com/careforce/21431222/detail.html Thank you for your consideration, love, and support.
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Story: JJCCF received an e-mail from a hospital social worker regarding Felix’s condition and his urgent needs. In 2008, JJCCF provided assistance for this family. As a three-year old fighting Rhabdomyosarcoma, Felix underwent an operation to remove a tumor in his stomach. As a result, he needs rigorous chemo treatment going forward for at least one year. Dorymar is a single parent living in Hialeah with four children between the ages of two and eight years old. All are U.S. Citizens. The father went back to his native country and does not provide any support for the family. To support her family Dorymar worked in home health care, earning $15 an hour on a regular basis until Felix’s illness. Without the ability to work on a regular basis, Dorymar receives assistance from the Government such as Medicaid, food stamps, and Supplemental Security Income. With four children, however, this does not provide enough for her family to meet the demands of living day-to-day. Needs: Message from social worker, 10/5/09: Plea from Mom, 10/8/09: I used to work full time with a decent salary, up in 2008, when my three year old son, Felix Castillo, was diagnosed with a type of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. Since October of 2008 my son has been medically tread at the Joe DiMaggio Cancer Hospital, in Hollywood, Florida. Due to my son's medical situation, there have been many time that he has been hospitalized for weeks, unable me to work and having to find someone to take care of my other children at home. Felix had surgery on September 17, of this year. With this surgery they were able to removed his tumor but one's biopsy came back the results reflected that he continue with cancer, which means that he needs treatment again for another year. My situation is very desperate, I don't have family here in Florida and I can't work full time, due to the situation. I don't have any transportation to take my son for his treatment, at this time he haven't seen the doctor since his surgery, because my car was reposes. My rent is $1550.00 a month, that I can't afford but I have tried to get some kind of help from the government with no luck. I really need help I need some kind of transportation, that my son will be able to get his treatment and any housing program for low or no income. Thank you, |