Mary
Story:
Elizabeth, 10-month-old, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health
Baby Eli has spent most of her short life in the hospital battling Leukemia. Most recently, while receiving chemotherapy, she was diagnosed with COVID-19 and placed on a ventilator. Although she is now stable, Baby Eli will soon need a Bone Marrow Transplant at Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami-Dade County, FL to survive her aggressive infant Leukemia (ALL).
The family’s crisis intensified when Baby Eli’s father tried to take his life and was also hospitalized. Due to the pandemic, father lost his job in landscaping and could not face the reality of not being able to provide for his family. Miraculously he was taken off life support and survived a near death experience. The family received our immediate assistance to pay their rent, phone and food at a time when the family had no income, but more help is needed to make it through the crisis. Although the father has recovered well through therapy, he can only work part-time and must also take care of his two young sons while the mother cares for the ill baby.
Needs:
Elizabeth’s parents’ plea for temporary assistance to pay for their rent and food to maintain the family’s stability.
Letter from Hospital Social Worker:
Dear Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation,
Elizabeth is a ten-month-old pediatric oncology patient at Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health Medical Center. Elizabeth was first diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in February 2020 when she was only four months old. Elizabeth has been treated with chemotherapy treatment. Her case is complicated by her young age. She has been told she will need a bone marrow transplant. Elizabeth’s family would benefit from any assistance possible during this time of need. Thank you to the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation for the support that would be so beneficial to this family.
Sincerely,
Melissa Stachowiak, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital Broward Health