• The family of a six-year-old boy, diagnosed five years ago with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a vicious cancer, who suffered a relapse last year. Mom had to stop work while her child was undergoing treatment initially, but upon returning to her job, she was laid off because of the slow economy. The child’s father retired from the Navy this year with a promise of a civilian job. However, one week after his retirement, the new employer froze all new hires and cancelled his job offer. As their expenses mounted, they turned to us for help.

• Parents caring for an 18-month-old daughter, who must make frequent visits to various clinics for treatments and therapies to manage her cerebral palsy, diabetes insipidus, hydrocephalus, feeding tube, and reflux needs. Dad lost his job during the winter and is still searching. Mom, the sole wage earner, operates a day care center at home, but income has been reduced because of the loss of several clients who have lost their jobs. When the household budget collapsed, they turned to us for help.

We continue to receive the worst of the worst cases of families caring for seriously ill and injured children from hospitals, medical facilities, and social service agencies in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Our new website has streamlined the process of requesting and receiving help for those professionals in addition to highlighting our various programs and activities.

We usually can help within 72 hours by paying an overdue or unmanageable bill for utilities, phone, rent, car repair, or for the greatly needed purchase of handicap equipment, formula, or special dietary supplements. Our impact on struggling families who turn to us for help can best be understood through the words of one grateful mom: "The money for our expenses was most definitely helpful and the gift cards will go to good use. . .illness is a burden but your actions have really lightened the load."

We must continue to lighten the load for these families in need, so now we’re turning to you for help. 

Please think about the families in crisis who depend on us--and on you. Any gift you send will be put immediately to good use answering a variety of requests:

• $50 will cover a co-pay bill for a medical specialist visit

• $115 will purchase special infant dietary supplements

• $150 will buy an air conditioner for a severely asthmatic child

• $250 will help with increased monthly electricity usage for children on ventilators or monitors

• $350 will help provide handicap accessibility modifications to the home of a seriously disabled child

As we approach the season of holidays and family celebrations, I ask that you please help us to help those children who have little to celebrate by sending a check today or making a donation by clicking Donate Now above. Thank you for your consideration.