To All of Our Supporters,
Listed below is an update of some families we have been helping since our last report in April.
Juwan was 13 years old when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last spring. He’s had to endure extensive treatments that include a stem cell transplant. His mother, Andrea, needed to take time off work to get him to treatment at CHOP in Philadelphia. The Foundation was able to help with housing payments and the purchase of a vehicle to ensure that Juwan could get to his medical appointments. Through all this, the family has endeavored to pay it forward by supporting fundraisers for children’s hospitals in their area. Juwan continues to be an honor student and involved in school activities even while he’s been home in isolation during his treatments.
Izzy lives in the York area with her mother, step-father and siblings. Her case was referred to the Foundation in the fall of 2016 by the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital where she is being treated for lymphoblastic leukemia. Her course of treatment, begun in the summer of 2016, will take approximately two and a half years. Izzy’s had to miss a lot of days at her elementary school and her mother has had her income reduced while taking her for treatments. The Foundation has been able to assist this family with seven rent payments to ease their financial situation.
The Foundation was contacted in February 2017 about Jayden, a two year old little boy diagnosed with pre-b acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His mother was employed at the time of his diagnosis, but had to take a leave of absence when her son was initially diagnosed. Jayden faces an unpredictable treatment process that will last upwards of three and a half years. His mother has been able to return to work and Jayden attends a medical daycare center. In order to help this family, the Foundation has been helping with rental payments.
Ryder, a ten year old middle school student, lives in the Lancaster area with his mother, father and older sister. The Foundation received his file in February of 2017 from Penn State Children’s Hospital where he had been diagnosed with germinoma, a type of childhood brain tumor. He is currently receiving an extensive chemotherapy regime and may need radiation treatments at CHOP in Philadelphia. The family’s income was greatly reduced when Ryder’s mother had to take a leave of absence from her nursing position to take her son for treatment. While this is a proud family that didn’t want to ask for assistance, the Foundation has been able to make several mortgage payments to ease them through this difficult time.
Although the Foundation was contacted about William at the end of March, 2017, he was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in December, 2015. He underwent several courses of chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant from his older sister. Unfortunately, in January, 2017, it was discovered that William had a relapse of his leukemia. He began chemotherapy at Penn State Children’s Hospital and is now receiving an experimental treatment at CHOP in Philadelphia. William lives at home with his mother, step-father and four siblings. Because his step-father recently lost his job due to company downsizing, the family is facing great financial hardship. The Foundation has made several mortgage payments while William is receiving treatment
All of the families referred to us by the social workers at local Children’s hospitals are facing financial difficulties that are compounded by the emotional burdens of caring for their sick children. The support you continue to give to the Jeff Musser Foundation eases the burdens of these families in a substantial way. We sincerely thank you for your generosity.
Jeff and Pam,
The Board and Committee