20 for change

I am Andrew Barber and I am a Junior here at Central College. For those of you who were at the Calm on Sunday night you might have heard Joe tell the story of Katelyn and how she is being treated for cancer. This is a girl who Joe worked with during the summer at a camp and when he told the story about how her mom quit her job to be with her in the Ronald McDonald House, I felt compelled to help. Joe sent me an e-mail from the Facebook group for Katelyn and I would like to share it with you all so here it is:

As the date gets closer for us to go back to Rochester for Katelyn's chemo, I start worrying again and I think I need to share some of this with all of Katelyn's supporters. The social worker at Mayo said I needed to put my pride aside and ask for help, so I guess it's time. If you have read all the posts, then you know that I have left my job to be with Katelyn during her treatments. I wouldn't have it any other way. I have also left my two boys, 12 and 14, and left my husband to care for them and the household. As if that wasn't hard enough, my loss of income means that our household bills are not getting paid. We have juggled them around for the first 6 weeks of her treatment, but now they are starting to pile up on us. This basically means that we have a $1000.00 a month loss. And this doesn't factor in the costs of being in Rochester. Even though we are staying at the Ronald McDonald House, which is a blessing, they still charge $10 a day (figure 3 months = $900). Add in co-pays, food, gas, parking, special lotions, soap, etc., you get the idea.

A friend of mine came up with the idea that if all the members on this group page were to donate $15 a piece, that would total near $12,000.00. That would be awesome! I wouldn't have to worry about the finances for the rest of Katelyn's treatment. I know there are several of you that have asked me what you could do to help, and I usually say that we're doing fine, but we are really in need of financial help.

Another way we could use some help is with gift cards. There are times that Katelyn wants to eat at KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, Olive Garden, etc. And the doctors have said to let her eat what she wants when she wants, even if it's fast food because of the loss of appetite that goes with the treatment. If we had gift cards to some of these places, that would help.

And because of the loss of income, Christmas is going to be especially hard on all 3 of the kids. The boys have said that they understand and they have been very mature during this whole process. It really tears at my heart strings to see what my boys are giving up and not asking for anything. I would love for all 3 of them to have a special Christmas this year.

I am so thankful to all of you for everything you have done for Katelyn so far. The last 6 weeks are going to seem like a piece of cake compared to what the next 3 months are going to bring.

Please continue to pray for her during her chemo treatments and pray for her to be cured of this tumor.
Also, please pray for the rest of my family and for my continued strength to help Katelyn through this battle. God bless you all.

Donations to: Katelyn Trickel Benefit, First State Bank, POBox 39, Belmond, IA 50421

As you can see from this e-mail the family has sacrificed their Christmas and her mom has gone to great lengths just to spend time with her daughter. This story touched me because growing up as the son of a single mother I watched her struggle to make ends meet for us. I understand the stress that comes along with being in a poor financial position and so to me when I heard of this I felt it was my place to respond. So rather than just sending the money to the family I also intend on sending them a short note that communicates hope and offers words of encouragement to all the boys, the father and Katelyn and her mother as well.