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When Time Means So Much

Jeremy

“Being able to give somebody wiggle room so they can stay with their child a little bit more, it means the world” as told by Mom and Dad.

Jeremy in the hospital

Jeremy in the hospital

DAD: We have two kids. Jeremy who’s 13 and Isabel, 16. I had noticed Jeremy’s stomach was a little swollen. We went to the hospital right away and they knew something was wrong. We were scared, there were about 10 doctors with us and nurses in the corner crying. So, we knew. They told us he has a version of CML, leukemia, it’s really rare. We just held each other, and we cried with Jeremy.

MOM: When we had to go to the hospital, it was difficult for us. For me personally, it was because I wanted to make sure Jeremy was okay. And I know that he had a lot of questions that I couldn’t answer. That’s what made it so hard.

SISTER ISABEL: Because of COVID-19, I had to stay at home. “Don’t worry, everything will be okay. Lock up behind me and I love you.” My mother spoke these very exact words to me just before she practically ran out the door to the car where my father was with Jeremy in the backseat.

“Everything will be fine...right? I’m just overthinking, right?

Mom and Dad, please come home, I can’t breathe.”

I waited for what felt like an eternity. Then finally, the doorbell rang. My dad came into the house and sat me down and told me, “Your little brother has cancer. He was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.” My whole body went into a silent shock, my heart dropped. I held my father as he cried, and I cried harder than I have ever cried before. I was terrified of what would come and even if this meant that Jeremy would die.

Over the next few days, my parents were at the hospital being with Jeremy and my heart and mind were with them at the hospital. I was constantly thinking about Jeremy, and I was beginning to realize that my life would change and that I needed to step up and be the best and strongest older sister I could be for him and to help my parents and Jeremy as much as I possibly can.

DAD: Jeremy had to get a bone marrow transplant. We were scared, we were worried about if they were going to find a donor, and when they were going to find a donor.

We were admitted for about 37 days total for the transplant. First, they had to build him up, then they did radiation for three days, and a bunch of hard chemo.

MOM: We were so scared, but we were trying to act like we weren’t so that way Jeremy wouldn’t be afraid.

DAD: It’s been rigorous, over four months we’ve been to the hospital almost every day. Before we came home from the bone marrow transplant, we had to get the house in condition for Jeremy, he needs it extra clean for his immune system. We’re trying to live in a bubble, basically.

MOM: It’s pretty intense, the care that you do at home, and it’s scary. You never think you’re gonna be in a situation like this. I still sometimes think that I’m gonna wake up and it’s just all been a bad dream. DAD: It’s getting better.

MOM: Yeah, it’s getting better.

SISTER ISABEL: Jeremy has had chemo, a bone marrow transplant and other treatments, and he’s had some complications. But, he’s doing better and he’s getting stronger.

When my parents told me about an organization that would help us, I began to wonder if this new organization would be like others and just help us once, and then leave. But, that’s when me and my family as a whole began to become more familiar with There With Care.

The deliveries to our home started to show me the value in the simple things. Who knew that something so simple as receiving food and other supplies could make such a huge difference? It was eye-opening to see that even though there’s a global pandemic going on all around us, that complete strangers, people that I never knew, could be so helpful and care about my family the way they do.

Not only have these amazing people helped with my family’s stability with food, utility bills, and other things like that, but There With Care has also been a way to show my family that we aren’t alone in our time of need. For me, I love my family, and this is about a lesson of appreciation and a reminder to live in the moment.

MOM: There With Care has been with us throughout. They’ve been there and they’ve stayed there. We don’t have to go to the grocery store and we don’t have to be in contact with people, because that compromises Jeremy. Having somebody bring groceries and gas cards to your front door is amazing. The help is not just for Jeremy, the help is for all of us. They meet us where we need to be met, they really do care.

Being able to give somebody wiggle room so they can stay with their child a little bit more, it means the world. It’s amazing.

Impact of Care | By the Numbers

Since 2005 There With Care has:

  • Served more than 5,220 families; 20,880+ people
  • Received $6,528,296 in donated in-kind items from the community
  • Received $5,611,855 in donated volunteer and professional service hours

57% of families self-identified as people of color: 33% Hispanic/ Latino; 11% African American/Black; 1% Asian/Pacific Islander; 4% Native American; 8% Other; and, 43% White.

Please consider joining the Care Club, where your recurring monthly gifts ensure families will have a safety net throughout the year.

Join the Care Club at: Donate Today!

Family Care By the Numbers:

5 average age of the patients we serve
30% of families have single parents
$4,126 average cost to serve a family through crisis
122 average days a family receives There With Care support
720 families served in 2020
991 families served in 2021
83 families served in 2021 facing critical mental illness with their child
200 average number of families served daily
85% families we serve who live at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level

100% of families are referred by hospital social workers based on need and circumstances

*Data measured through 2020 and 2021.

Honored with a
GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency
There With Care prioritizes funding in its programs that serve families.

76% Programs17% Fundraising7% Administrative

Images:

Jeremy in the hospital

Jeremy in the hospital

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Jeremy’s sister Isabel

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Jeremy during treatment



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