Amy was on the other end of the phone, holding back the tears that came to her eyes far too often. Her bank account was empty. She was driving a beat up car that was 11 years old. Her gas and electric were scheduled for shut off and her mortgage was two months behind. She had resorted to paying for her groceries with the only credit card that was not maxed out. It only had $300 left on it.

“Childhood cancer is a beast and it has taken so much for so so long,” she said. Her son, Codey, had been fighting cancer for 16 years. (Yes. 16 years.) She worked for the United States Postal Service. She had used up all of her paid time off. Codey’s father had died several years ago in an accident. She had no one to sit with him so she could go to work.

She was right, childhood cancer had taken so much, including her financial stability.

When I started Compass to Care, I did not realize that one in five children battling cancer was living in poverty. I did not know that children from low-income families have higher relapse rates and lower survival rates. I knew my parents struggled with getting me to cancer treatment and that was where our mission started. But I didn’t know not having money for gasoline could lead to a child’s death.

But I do now. And I am listening to a mother who knows that if she cannot afford to get her child from Ohio to New York for an experimental copper radiation treatment, that there is no hope left.

The last time Codey was in New York, his doctors performed a resection from his neck. The results came back worse than they could have imagined. It was full of Neuroblastoma, again. It was throughout his lymph nodes – maybe all through his lymphatic system.

“I’m scared, but trying to stay strong for him,” Amy told me. “I’m crying, but only in the shower,” she said.

Codey’s mom is not giving up. His doctors are not giving up. Compass to Care is not giving up. Your support of our mission directly pays for the travel expenses to get a child, like Codey, to the hospital for cancer treatment. But it goes far beyond a transaction. Your support gives relief. Your support gives hope.

Inflation has hit the parents of children with cancer hard. The demand for our support is far greater than it has ever been. Parents, like Amy, come to us begging for help. We have had to turn some away because we do not have the ability to support them all. We cannot do that anymore. We know what missing treatment means for a child with cancer.

The funds to help these children and parents comes from people like you. We need you. They need you.

A parent never gives up. And their financial struggle should never be the reason why their child can’t get to cancer treatment. Won’t you please contribute to our Annual Appeal today?

PLEASE DONATE ONLINE or by sending a check to Compass to Care, 6323 N Avondale Ave, Suite 250, Chicago, IL 60631

Orlando stood behind the podium addressing 150 guests, with his father and mother on each side of him. He instantly captured the attention of every person in the room with his sense of humor and confidence. His first words were, “I wasn’t prepared to be speaking tonight but here I am”. Orlando naturally takes the lead of speaking, not only for himself, but also on behalf of his parents who are Spanish speaking only. Two years ago, at age 15, Orlando took that same lead in 2021 after finding out that he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. He translated the exact words medical staff told him to his mother, Bertha, who was sitting next to him in the exam room at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. 

A medical telephone translator did not explain well enough for Orlando’s Spanish speaking mother to comprehend that he would soon begin an intense chemotherapy and surgery treatment for his cancer. Orlando explained it all in more detail to his mother. She instantly asked Orlando to translate to the social worker and ask about resources to get to treatment. This is what social determinants of health is for a parent who is unable to communicate needs because of a language barrier in the healthcare system. Orlando and Berta utilized many resources, from coordinating with different family members to drive them to treatment, to taking public transportation so that he didn’t miss a day of treatment. Orlando shared after getting connected with Compass to Care, it allowed his family to take Lyft rides every week to his chemotherapy appointments. He bravely shared his good news that he completed his last chemo session two months ago. “Thank you Compass to Care, you have been such a big help”. These were the sincere words Orlando translated for his mother.

Orlando has been busy catching up with school. He finally feels he is up to pace with High School as he had to miss a full year of school due to cancer treatment. Orlando plans to be an anesthesiologist, being bilingual he wants to make a positive impact speaking Spanish to non-English speakers. He understands it can be scary in the hospital, but he hopes he can, “make painful experiences feel a little better for others.”

This is what hope looks like. 

As we take a final moment to thank everyone who attended our Evening of Hope gala, we extend our biggest thank you to Orlando, one of our very own Compass to Care teens, who was an inspiring and honored guest speaker. 

Keshawn is a 17-year-old braving Osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, since January. He receives cancer treatment at Anne & Robert H. Laurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL. Long stays in the hospital are not new to Keshawn. His cancer treatment often gets extended over the course of many days. Despite requiring surgery on his leg and regular visits to the hospital and clinic, Keshawn remains optimistic. Keywanna, his mom, expressed his “gentle smile and strength” are her very favorite things about Keshawn’s personality. 

The cancer diagnosis has been challenging for Keshawn’s family of five. His mom made the hard decision to resign from work after he was diagnosed with cancer.  “When my son got sick I didn’t know how or what to do. I had to resign from my job because I’m a single parent. I had to be his caretaker.”

You, our generous supporters, have allowed Compass to Care to assist Keshawn’s family with travel expenses to his cancer treatment. With your help, we were able to fund a total of 68 trips to the hospital over the past several months. “You’ve taken away one of the biggest burdens.

This program allowed me not to worry about transportation issue(s) and for that I am truly thankful. I don’t know how I would have done it without a job right now. So thank you Compass to Care because without you, I don’t know what we would have done ❤️”

]]> https://www.compasstocare.org/kate-is-a-rare-gem-traveling-far-distances-for-her-cancer-treatment/ Tue, 30 Aug 2022 14:25:40 +0000 https://www.compasstocare.org/?p=20792 Kate is a Rare Gem, Traveling Far Distances for Her Cancer Treatment

Kate is a beautiful 16-year-old from Illinois with a sarcastic sense of humor. Kate has a rare type of childhood cancer commonly found in the adrenal glands called Neuroblastoma. She is enrolled in a clinical trial at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and flies back and forth to New York for her cancer treatments. Kate’s mom, Lisa, says the hardest part about traveling to treatment is that it’s physically and emotionally draining. The trip is 800 miles one way. Compass to Care assists Kate and Lisa by coordinating and paying for their travel from Illinois to New York, and their return trip back home. Lisa is thankful Compass to Care helped relieve the financial burden of travel. Her message to our donors is, “Thank you, you have no idea how much your support means until you are in our shoes…and I hope you never are.”

Kate participated as a model in the Compass to Care Fashion Show a few years ago. She walked down the runway with a Gemologist, a field Kate plans to go into one day. Kate was given an Amethyst stone that she still has today, she keeps it on a stand in her living room. We would say that Kate is truly a gem, she travels immense distances to fight her cancer. We are happy to share that Kate recently completed the two-year mark of the clinical trial at Sloan Kettering in New York. Her devoted mom, Lisa, remains by her side as they continue to fly back and forth for scans. We are so grateful for the advice Lisa gives to other parents who are facing their own challenges, “Do what you need to in the beginning for your child but remember self-care too or you will not have the strength you need for your child. Try to walk for 10-30 minutes a day outside the hospital just to clear your mind, it’s good for your heart and soul. Never second guess yourself, go with your gut.”

Thank you Kate and Lisa for sharing part of your journey, and for modeling how to take care of ourselves and each other.

Download our May 2022 Connection Newsletter now to learn more about the how we are going GRAY IN MAY, our Dubuque Breakfast Benefit, the support we have received from the Dubuque and Park Ridge Communities, and the fun we have planned this summer!

DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER NOW!

Download our April 2022 Connection Newsletter now to learn more about the 230 children with cancer supported this year, our Dubuque Breakfast Benefit, our three non emergency medical transportation (NEMT) programs, and a gift from the Chicago Blackhawks!

DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER NOW!

Fraternal twins, Jayden and Julian, have been inseparable since birth. The almost three-year-old brothers have barely spent more than a few days apart, but when Julian was diagnosed with Leukemia, that changed. As Julian began an intense cancer treatment schedule at Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital, Jayden’s role in his life grew, from being a brother to a cheerleader as well. 

Their separation was further intensified by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rules and regulations meant that Jayden was unable to cheer him on in person at the hospital. However, when Julian is admitted, he and Jayden find ways to keep their strong connection. Mom, Kristina, says they FaceTime during these long stays, and hug each other when Julian returns each time like it’s the first time they have been apart.

Although Jayden might not realize it, his support is crucial for Julian’s development and success. Jayden’s support provides his brother with the love needed to keep on fighting. Despite experiencing brain damage that caused issues with Julian’s vision and paralysis on the left side of his body, he always has a smile on his face when he’s around his brother. The rambunctious duo love to play together 24/7, which is helping Julian regain the motor skills he lost. According to mom, Julian is now, “kicking butt and doing great.”

For Kristina, the lucky friendship of Jayden and Julian is what gives her comfort and hope during such a difficult time. The task of a childhood cancer parent is grueling, and it’s easy to become isolated. As Kristina put it herself, “daily life freezes, but the bills don’t stop.” With Compass to Care’s assistance, Julian’s parents have been able to keep up with the rising costs of gas and parking. Kristina hopes to return to normal, and for Jayden and Julian to experience a future of always supporting each other and sticking together.

Last night, Compass to Care was invited by the Chicago Blackhawks for their Hockey Fights Cancer event. Danielle Villari Swets, our COO, and I were invited to walk the purple carpet which honored cancer fighters and survivors.

As we waited for our turn to be called, we started chatting with the survivors standing next to us. One was a little girl, who was being accompanied by her mom. As we chatted more, her mom noticed Danielle’s Compass to Care shirt. She said- oh Compass to Care helped us.

We found out the little girl was Abigail. She had traveled to Comer Children’s Hospital at the University of Chicago to be treated for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She went into remission in August. Her mom got choked up telling us how important our support was during Abigail’s treatment. They are a family of 8 (including 2 sets for twins!) and her husband had to take off work to help care for Abigail.

They needed our help and because of our AMAZING DONORS we gave them a place to turn. There are moments in life when you just end up at the right place at the right time and this was one of those moments.

We got to see with our own eyes how the generosity of others flowed to this child, who was now being honored as a strong childhood cancer survivor. So as we head into the Season of Giving, I just wanted to take a moment to truly say THANK YOU. Your support changes lives and gives children, like Abigail, moments like last night.

Be a part of the Fight. Donate today.

#HopeTravels #hockeyfightscancer

Compass to Care is honored to be named a 2021 Top-Rated Non-profit for the second year in a row. We are proud of our accomplishments this year including providing travel to over 248 families. Thank you to Great Nonprofits for this recognition of our work and thank you to those that submitted reviews on our behalf.

Despite fighting a brain tumor, Compass to Care kid John has refused to stop doing the things he loves. With a kind of determination that mom, Alice, says is characteristic of the 16-year-old high-school student, John has managed to stay in high school. After classes are over, he joins the New Trier rowing team for practice – no different from any of his teammates.

Cancer has not slowed John down at all. In fact, it can sometimes be hard for others to keep up. Athletic and tenacious, he has even beaten varsity crews all while receiving chemo and radiation.

One of Alice’s favorite qualities about her son is this determination. “He always wants to be better and he encourages people around him to be better.” John is often heard spurring on the competition as he glides past them, “I’m faster than you, and I’ve got cancer!”

This passion for rowing runs in the family. John’s younger sister, Catherine, is now a freshman rower following in her brother’s footsteps.

When we met John and his family, he was finishing up a round of an intensive kind of treatment called proton therapy. This regimen consists of beaming protons to attack cancerous tissue – patients are required to be at the treatment center five days a week for six weeks straight. It isn’t difficult to imagine the mental and financial toll that this can take on any cancer patient and their families, even one as determined as John.

With this hurdle behind him, John is off to the next leg of his cancer journey. Now, Compass to Care is rowing with him, following his lead for the power 10 until he reaches the finish line. John’s mom Alice tells us that Compass to Care’s gas and parking program “takes away one worry from a slew of worries. This means a lot to a family in crisis.” For other families that have just received a devastating cancer diagnosis, here’s what Alice has to say: “Just live in the moment and try not to be overwhelmed by the bigger picture and the what-ifs”.

Donate to Compass to Care to help more kids like John fight cancer!