Assisted Children: Individual Stories
Collection Complete November 2020. Thanks to generous contributors, JJCCF’s Financial Assistance / Advocacy Programs and collaborative support from partner charities, this family benefited from having access to basic human needs during a dreadful time.
Story:
Jose, 11-years-old, The Children’s Hospital at Palms West
Jose was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma – a rare cancerous tumor that grows in the bones or in the tissue surrounding the bones. He has bravely endured surgery and intensive chemotherapy. Jose and his expecting mother traveled multiple times per week for his critical medical care and responded well to treatment.
Needs:
Jose’s parents plea for help in paying food and gas for transportation to the hospital, utilities and rent during this difficult time. Mother had to stop working at a fast food restaurant to care for Jose full time and get him to his medical appointments. She also is consumed with the care of her recently delivered baby boy. Father did not have an income for a couple of months due to COVID-19. He is a truck driver trying to maintain his job while caring for two other sons. The family is facing hard times battling childhood cancer while caring for a newborn.
Letter from Hospital Social Worker:
Dear Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation,
I would like to recommend Jose Garcia’s family for your Advocacy Program. Jose is an almost 12-year-old with known diagnosis of Ewings’s Sarcoma. Jose received 3 months of intensive chemotherapy and then had a very extensive surgery to remove his tumor and now must endure another 9 months of intensive chemotherapy which requires him to come to the hospital for 5 days once a month and then travel 50 miles every 2 – 3 times a week for follow up before his next monthly cycle of chemo. Needless to say, this has been very difficult on the family. His Mom has had to leave her job and his Dad has been having to care for the other 2 children at home and also try and work. This has all caused additional stress for both Jose and his family.
Any assistance you can provide to help Jose’s family financially would be greatly appreciated. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you should need any further information.
Yours Truly,
Michelle O’Boyle, RN, CPON
Pediatric Oncology Patient Care Navigator
Click on the PDF icon to view original letter from the Hospital Social Worker
Plea from Mother:
My son, Jose is 11 years old and has Ewing’s Sarcoma. Jose had 3 months of chemotherapy and then had surgery to remove his tumor. He now has to undergo another 9 months of chemotherapy. I had to leave my job to care for Jose and I also had to leave my other 2 sons with their Dad who has had to care for them and try and work without my assistance. Our family desperately needs assistance with our monthly bills since me being out of work and Jose’s Step-Dad having to care for his brothers and work. Any financial assistance you can provide our family would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Claribel
Jose
