Every year, the radio station I listen to does a fund-raising drive for a well known hospital that treats kids with cancer. I didn't think that any small amount I might be able to contribute would make a difference at all, and the stories of kids being diagnosed with cancer, undergoing treatments that would make them sick, cause their hair to fall out and prevent them from just being kids, or worse the stories of the kids who die because of cancer, were just too hard to listen to. They would turn me into a sobbing mess on my way to where ever it was I was driving. I naively thought that cancer was something that happened to other people's kids, that it would never happen to mine. Eventually I couldn't bear to listen anymore, and I'd turn the radio off. Last April, my life was changed forever when my 16 month old son was diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly we became one of those stories I couldn't bear to listen to.
There are no words that can describe what it feels like to be told your child has cancer. It's almost impossible to breathe. It's impossible to understand how a sweet, innocent child can have cancer. Collin didn't do anything to deserve cancer. He hadn't had a chance to live his life yet; how was it possible that he may never get that chance? Suddenly, there was very little we had control over. We lived minute to minute. All we could focus on was Collin; we couldn't think about anything else.
During the first few days in the hospital, a social worker came to talk to us about our insurance and other financial resources. She mentioned the Four Diamonds Fund and gave us some paperwork to fill out. She explained that one way the Four Diamonds Fund helps children with cancer who are treated at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital is by covering whatever cost isn't covered by insurance. It wasn't until that moment that the potential financial impact of this terrifying situation that had been thrust upon us began to sink in. I turned to the social worker with tears in my eyes and said, "You mean we're not going to lose our house?"
The fact that an organization exists that provides that level of assistance seemed unreal to me. But the Four Diamonds Fund is very real. When parents are faced with the possibility of losing a child to cancer, they shouldn't have to worry about whether or not they can afford the care their child needs. Not only does the Four Diamonds Fund provide financial assistance to pediatric cancer patients at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, it provides funding for many of the staff that provide valuable care to these children. Collin's music therapist was one of the first people to get a reaction from him that showed us he was still Collin after the immediate effects of brain surgery left me wondering if he would ever be himself again. To see him calmed by music, to see him interact by reaching for an instrument for the first time, was a priceless moment that left everyone in the room with tears in their eyes. The Child Life Specialists who helped us talk to our six-year-old daughter about cancer without scaring her, and who provide so many wonderful activities that allow kids to just be kids despite being in the hospital, are amazing. The social workers, the music therapist, the child life specialists, and many other invaluable staff are supported by the Four Diamonds Fund. And on top of all of the wonderful people and services I have mentioned, there is research being done every day at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, research that will someday lead to a cure for childhood cancer. This research that allows children and their families to hold on to hope wouldn't be possible without the Four Diamonds Fund.
After spending the majority of time from April 22 to November 13, 2010 in the hospital undergoing brain surgery to resect the tumor, six rounds of chemo, and a stem cell rescue, Collin is home and doing amazingly well. He is learning to talk, and walk. He is receiving physical, occupational, and speech therapy a few times a week, and just started six months of maintenance chemo that we give him at home. There are still challenges ahead for him, but he seems totally unaffected by his journey. It's like being sick, long hospital stays, losing his hair, undergoing regular blood draws and MRIs is all normal to him, because really that's what he's known for half of his life. He just takes it all in stride and does what he has to do. He is the strongest person I know, and every day I am thankful that he is still with us. I hope he will have the chance to grow up and do something important with his life.
We have had many, many blessings throughout this journey, and for them we are grateful. The Four Diamonds Fund and THON are two of these blessings. We are looking forward to attending our first THON next month. It is difficult to adequately express the gratitude we feel for all of the efforts put forth by each and every Penn State student involved in THON. The amount of love we have received from the THON family, and the result of their year-long efforts to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund are truly inspiring.
Go State-Beat Cancer!! FTK!!
With Love and Gratitude,
The Kratzer Family
Jenn, Bill, Neya (6 years) & Collin (2 years)
The Four Diamond Fund is one of the few things people did very good in the world's history. Most of 'medical' organizations, instead of helping your sick child, tries to rip you off. I can't believe how heartless one must be to take advantage of such situations...
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