"What if we didn't have this beautiful system of support made up of our friends and family? What if we didn't live in a community that offered us not one, but perhaps five different treatment facilities that offer pediatric oncology services? What if we were not a young couple working to make our baby healthy again, but instead a single person struggling to figure out how to both save their child and feed their family at the same time? What if we had shit insurance? What if we didn't have transportation, daycare, money for prescription copayment or hospital parking?'
There are thousands of "what ifs". They are all terrifying to think about, I promise, the most terrifying of which is-
"What if I were doing this alone?"
Enter The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation (Andreriveroflife.org). This group has earned mad respect within the juvenile illness world, and why not? Look that their mission statement!
When no other resources are available, social workers at our affiliated children’s hospitals send us urgent requests on behalf of single parent families in financial crisis. We respond immediately and without additional paperwork, because their social workers have already verified their need. The variety of requests range from essentials, such as food, transportation, utilities, and medications not covered by insurance to funds to protect a family from eviction or foreclosure.
We respond in 24 hours “when compassion can’t wait.”
Our River enhances and sustains lives in many other ways. We will advocate for airline tickets for a grandparent coming to help, or buy a wig for a self-conscious teenager returning to school after chemotherapy, or pay for ballet lessons for a neglected sibling. Instead of restriction, we give as freely as our River will allow. Contributions keep our River flowing. Please click below to make a gift.
I can not tell you how dark the days leading up to, and following Brooklyn's diagnosis were for us. Doing it alone would be completely unfathomable. Organizations like this exist for the soul purpose of helping single parent families. There are very few government resources available for parents of sick children who are forced to give up their jobs as a result. I would know.
(Now it's time for me to give you the shake down) Give your money to this Andres River of Life! I swear I have no horse in this race. Donations made to these people will not cure childhood cancer, nor will it pay my bills. It may, however, spare someone the heartache of having to choose between their sick child or a job. It might prevent a single parent from going into full on panic mode when their kid spikes a fever in the middle of the night and they have to rush into the ER. This organization can not run without donations. This organization helps people in dire straights.
OH LOOK, I FOUND THE DONATION PAGE FOR YOU!
You can make a donation in our sweet Brooklyn's name or you can make one for yourself, either way you'll feel awesome, and someone will be eternally grateful for you. Do it!
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