To All of Our Supporters,
Listed below is an update on some families we have been helping since our last report in June.
Angelina is a six-year-old who was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma in the fall of 2020. She underwent neurosurgery to remove the primary tumor and then completed a course of radiation. When the Foundation was contacted for assistance, Angelina was in her second cycle of intensive inpatient chemotherapy. Her family had very limited resources before her diagnosis. Mom shouldered most of the support for Angelina as well as three other siblings at home. The Foundation provided rental assistance for the family.
There are instances where the Foundation supports a family over an extended period of years, either because of the length of treatment or because of a relapse. There are also situations where a child has been in treatment for many years, but we’re not asked for assistance until further down the road. Jackie is now ten years old but was diagnosed with ALL in 2013. She’s described as a smart and spunky little girl who has had to undergo numerous periods of treatment, hospitalizations, and a bone marrow transplant. Earlier this year, she was admitted to the hospital with a rare and serious multi organ post-transplant disease. Jackie lives at home with her three siblings and her parents. Since mom has not be able to work for an extended period because of the intensity of Jackie’s treatments, the Foundation has provided assistance with the payment of an auto loan.
Robert is a baby boy diagnosed with libofibromatosis of the right arm. The tumor is being treated with chemotherapy in the hope that it will shrink. If the tumor remains unchanged, his arm will likely need to be amputated. Even though both parents were working at the time of diagnosis, the treatment schedule has caused financial hardship for the family. The Foundation has assisted with auto loan payments and rent.
Last summer, fourteen-year-old Alexa was diagnosed with high-risk pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Shortly after her diagnosis, her father was diagnosed with colon cancer. Since Alexa’s father is the primary income provider for the family of six children, his treatment and subsequent loss of income has had a major financial impact on the family. The Foundation was asked to provide assistance by paying overdue utility charges for the family.
One of the most heartbreaking requests for assistance we receive is the one for funeral expenses. Dylan was in treatment for Ewing’s sarcoma for more than 10 years. The Foundation provided assistance at various times over the ten-year period and helped the family purchase an auto in 2017. This year, we were contacted by the family’s social worker to let us know he was in hospice care. Understandably, the years of emotional and financial hardship took a major toll on Dylan’s family. Upon his peaceful passing at home with his family, the Foundation helped with last expenses.
As always, the requests we get for assistance are as varied as the types of cancer these children are fighting. We thank all of you who supported the 20th Golf Classic in June, our biggest fundraiser of the year. While planning is underway for the Cadillac Dinner at Lancaster Country Club on September 24, we continue to monitor the situation with COVID, and emerging variants and we will keep you posted on any potential changes to the event. Thank you for your continued interest in the Jeff Musser Foundation and the generosity you have shown to us!
Most sincerely,
The Board and Volunteers of the Jeff Musser Foundation