Mom and Dad With Cancer Need Community's Help

The Medfield Neighbor Brigade is asking the community to help a local mom and dad as they each battle cancer. 

The couple has lost their housing and most of what they own in order to pay for their initial diagnosis, treatment, and care.

Two weeks ago, the Medfield Angels/Medfield Neighbor Brigade (a group of more than 500 community volunteers who help their Medfield neighbors in need) received an initial call for help from Medfield Youth Outreach about a family in crisis.

Both parents are being treated for cancer simultaneously and, because of their mounting medical needs, they have found themselves without a place to live, a job, or a car to drive. Meanwhile, their two young children, ages 3 and 1, have been staying with relatives out of state. 

The family has secured housing (as you'll see below) and, this week, the Medfield Neighbor Brigade sent out the following plea to its members with an update and request for further help. 

Here is their story...

Dear Angels! 

You help is greatly needed! A couple of weeks ago we shared with you all the story of a Medfield Family. Both the husband and wife have been diagnosed with cancer. We are so grateful for the outpouring of thoughts and messages from so many of you regarding this family and how you can help. As you remember, this couple, in their fight against cancer lost their housing and most of what they own to pay for their initial diagnosis, treatment, and care. 

Last week, the United Church of Christ, through their missions program, graciously put the couple up in a hotel very near the hospitals where they are receiving medical care. This enabled them to attend the tests and appointments that will guide their continuing care. Just before Easter we received word that the wife, who has breast cancer, has a better prognosis than originally expected. She has a very unique cancer that must be treated in the city under the close watch of her oncologist. She will have radiation treatments 5 days per week starting April 5th through May 17th as the first step of her treatment. 

For this reason, housing was pursued close to the city. The husband has had more testing and is still awaiting his course of treatment. The special facilities that host cancer patients in the city are full and have long waiting lists. Dana Faber resource specialists were able to negotiate a rate at a hotel in the city with a shuttle to Dana Faber. The cost will still be insurmountable for this couple. 

Now that housing has been established. This couple is in need of funding to secure this housing, as well as money for meals and other necessitities. This is where we hope all of you angels can help. If you are willing and able to make a contribution towards supporting this family we have two options for you. 

For those wishing to donate funds towards the hotel: The United Church of Christ will accept checks written to the church with "Angel Fund, A/F” in the memo line. 

For those wishing to donate gift cards to help with meals, toiletries, and other needs: Please donate American Express, Visa, or Master Card gift cards. 

We are hoping to collect starting Thursday, April 4th - Monday, April 8th. You can drop off checks for UCC and gift cards to either Laurie Nealon (7 Copperwood Rd) or Kathleen Cahill (7 Penobscot). 

This family is so truly grateful for the love, support and prayers from all of you. THANK YOU for helping us to support this family through this very difficult time. 

Laurie and Kathleen

Readers: For more information, contact leaders Laurie Nealon or Kathleen Cahill, or visit the Medfield Neighbor Brigade website.