To All of Our Supporters,
Listed below is an update of some families we have been helping since our last report in August.
Arielis first came to the Foundation’s attention in December 2015 when she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of 15. She lives with her mother and two sisters and has undergone a rigorous regime involving chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and other treatments. When first diagnosed, the Foundation supplied help with rent and utilities. This year, we were contacted again to offer assistance with the security deposit and first months’ rent on a new apartment that became necessary when mold issues were detected in the family’s previous residence.
The Foundation first received a referral for Laine when she was three years old in November, 2016. She had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. She began an intensive treatment schedule that includes radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Laine lives with her parents in Lancaster County. Both of her parents have had work interruptions so the Foundation has helped with mortgage payments while treatment is ongoing.
JaMarcus is a six year old with leukemia being treated by the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. since the spring of 2016. His single mom has been able to keep her job but has experienced some financial difficulties while caring for JarMarcus and his older brother. Both Mom and JaMarcus have experienced some hospitalizations and the treatment schedule for JaMarcus has been a rigorous one. He’s doing well but the Foundation has had to help with rental payments and household expenses.
In October, 2014, Miguel was referred to the Foundation by the Penn State Hershey Medical Center with a diagnosis of high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His treatment was scheduled to last at least two years. At that time, the Foundation helped Miguel, his mother, step-father and sister with living expenses. In August of 2017, we received word from Hershey that Miquel had relapsed and had been admitted for a bone marrow transplant. We were able to offer help with three months’ rent to help the family through the transplant process.
Kyle was referred to us in July 2017 by the Penn State Children’s Hospital with a diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia. He’d been undergoing intensive inpatient chemotherapy since February. Over the summer he continued hospitalization for his last course of chemotherapy. Kyle lives in Mercersburg with his parents and twin siblings. His father is employed full time but his mother is disabled and currently unemployed. The Foundation was able to purchase a van for the family so they would have reliable transportation to and from Hershey.
As you can see from these updates, often we are asked to help families over the course of months, or years. Your continued support of the Jeff Musser Foundation enables us to offer assistance when it’s needed. Thank you for supporting our yearly events and for the personal contributions you so generously make. None of this would happen without you and we, and the families listed above, sincerely thank all of you!
Jeff and Pam
The Board and Committee