The reality and new normal that we are all facing right now is very similar to what our pediatric cancer patients and their families face on a daily basis.
Understanding what it’s like to have a child fighting brain cancer and why we have made it our mission to do what we do to help
Pediatric brain tumor patients and their families often feel isolated like so many of us are feeling now. They are unable to work due to the task of caring for their child’s needs after diagnosis and during treatments. These treatments can last anywhere from a few months to as long as 3-5 years depending on the specific brain cancer diagnosis. During this time the parents and child are often cut off from their normal social crowd and at times even feel alienated. Many times families have to go into quarantine for the safety of their child. Because of treatment children are missing school and having to utilize tutors and remote learning via skype, facetime and other platforms to try to keep up with their studies, this is what we now refer to as distance learning. In addition, these children are going through chemo and or radiation and are not feeling well during this time. Financially it is devastating just as most of us are feeling the hardship right now due to COVID-19. Parents of a child with cancer often cannot work due to having to take care of their child’s needs. As a mom who had been through it personally, we lost my full time paycheck during our son’s diagnosis. A big hit to our family’s income. Although, I was on family leave I could was not able to collect unemployment. During this time my husband Jim was laid off. He was able to collect a portion of his income but we had to pay for our health insurance out of pocket. Our mortgage and utility bills were still due on time and of course we still had to put food on the table. On top of all of that we spent days traveling to and from treatment and purchasing medicines. Sadly the families we assist do not receive any government assistance, nor are they allowed extra time to pay credit card payments, mortgages or other bills without late fees and or penalties against their good standing credit. The scare that we are all going through right now is much like what we went through during our son’s diagnosis. Minus the tragic diagnosis of course – which adds even more stress, anxiety and financial hardship! The uncertainty that we are all facing right now is much like what our cancer families face. We understand that so many of our supporters are facing hardships of their own right now and just cannot support organizations like ours but we come through these very trying times and are back on track with finances and job security or you are still financially able and you would like to help support the families our organization assists please visit our website at coryscrusaders.org
As most of you know by now, Cory’s Crusaders have partnered with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | The Jimmy Fund and times are tough right now. Our fundraising events as well as theirs have been either postponed or cancelled making the funds needed to support the youngest of cancer patients very low.
Please be safe, stay healthy and Never Give Up!
The Gaudet Family
Photo was taken on Cory’s 18th bday! He passed 4 days later. In Loving Memory.
Cory Edward Gaudet 8-15-94 ~ 8-19-2012
Sending Much Love and Many Positive Thoughts,
Teresa Gaudet President, Co-Founder