EXAMPLES OF GRANT RECIPIENT TESTIMONIES IN 2010
------ Although we've never met or even heard of your organization until now, we would like to thank you for being so generous and caring in our time of need. It's a new world for our family and grants like this help with the stress in ways only people who have or are still going through something similar can relate to.
----- To all family supporters at BCCCPA:
Our most sincere thanks for the generous grant you sent our family. The spirit of all the families who have struggled with this disease and all its repercussions has touched us deeply. We look forward to the day that we too can share and support other families. Best wishes.
----- My son was just 2 years old when he became gravely ill. Surgery, treatment and recovery spanned many months, a time during which we depended heavily on the selfless care and generosity of people such as you. No words can possibly express our gratitude; our hope is that you will catch in these pictures a glimpse of the little boy whose life you touched, and that you may always reflect with joy in the role you played in his recovery.
------ To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to thank-you for your wonderful cheque we received before Christmas. I must apologize for the delay in writing you but it has been a bit hectic over the last couple of months.
----- Your generous assistance has allowed me to stay at home for a little longer to be with our daughter. In January she was able to have surgery to remove her tumor, which was a huge step for us. I definitely wanted to be able to be with her for that entire time. We were also able to have a less stressful Christmas, and celebrate it with our family and friends. It was a wonderful Xmas gift.
----- To Whom It May Concern:
Last year we were told to get to Children’s Hospital immediately, my child had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. From that day forward, nothing has been the same. My child cannot play sports this season and the biggest one is, no school. For myself, I’ve had to put my work on hold. I am so fortunate that my place of employment has told me that my job will be there when my child is better. I am a single parent. When my social-worker from Children’s Hospital approached me with this cheque from you, I cried. This money will help to pay for medication and gas money & a few bills at home. This letter is to express my gratitude and when this is all over and I’m back to work, I would like to help out another family one day. I will never forget this, and I (we) thank you again for your kindness and understanding.
EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE FAMILY GRANTS ALLOCATED IN 2008
--------- is a 3 year old boy diagnosed with ALL in late November 2007. This family is from Prince George and since their son’s diagnosis, his father has had huge struggles with his work to take sick leave. In January after resistance from his Insurance company to accept the father’s sick leave claim he decided to return to work. He was then told in mid February that he would be potentially laid off.
This family is having financial hardship at this time, trying to raise two other children and travel back and forth to Vancouver for their son’s ongoing treatment.
-------- is a 4 month old baby girl diagnosed with a brain tumor in Toronto. She received one cycle of chemo there but due to her father’s job transfer they family moved to Vancouver. She is now on intense active chemotherapy and it is unsure how she will respond to treatment. She is blind in one eye and has severely handicapped due to poor muscle development around her neck. She is unable to support her head. Family is extremely overwhelmed as they are adjusting to taking care of their gravely ill child and their move to Vancouver. Father is employed and is currently taking vacation but will be required to return to work soon. Mother is unemployed. Father has a drug plan but is very limited ($1000 for family/ year). They are not yet registered for Pharmacare, as they need to be residents of BC for at least 3 months before they can enroll. They also have a 3 year old son to support.
--------- is a 12 year-old male diagnosed with Left Femoral Ewing’s sarcoma. Patient resides with his parents and younger sister in Hope. Since his diagnosis both his parents have taken a leave from work and are facing huge financial strain. In addition, their son requires hospital admission approximately every 2 weeks receiving chemo and he has an upcoming surgery scheduled. Family is very overwhelmed. He also requires GCSF and though family has EHB, they must pay out of pocket first. This has become quite hard for the family. The cost of travel, accommodation and parking has created a huge toll on this family. I am requesting a grant for this family to help them at this time.
