Saying Goodbye
No parent prepares for a life-threatening cancer diagnosis for their child; nor do parents save $10,000 in anticipation of a funeral. No parent is capable of picking out a casket, burial spot, or holding their child's ashes without support. When a child dies of cancer, saying goodbye and attending a "Celebration of Life Service" is important to start the healing process and be surrounded by family and friends. Life will never be the same again for parents and siblings, but studies show families who acknowledge the death are more likely to continue living with hope and purpose.
The problem: many families do not have the finances to pay for a funeral after weeks to years of missed work for medical treatments combined with overdue bills.
Jane's Fund has paid for 16 Celebration of Life Services for kids who have died of cancer, and we've received two new requests this week. Thank you for helping give a spark of hope for families who are in a season of darkness and uncertainty.
Testimonies from family members:
”I don't really remember the days after I said goodbye to David. I remember his body was hooked to tubes and machines and don't look nothing like my boy. David's favorite color is red and when our friends showed up in red, I got the idea that I can wear red shoes every day and carry David with me.”
(Isaac, father of David, age 7, died of brain cancer)
”Before the funeral, I was really worried about my parents and our family, but seeing all the family and friends gave me a lot of peace knowing that a lot of people were there to support us and would be there in the future.”
(Antoine, brother of Alisa age 17, died of bone tumor)
”I am not leaving the country to go home to my family without my son. Thank you to the Jane's Fund for making his body to be ready for travel and burial. I will never be the same without Juan.”
(Mother of Juan, age 12, died of leukemia)
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Please help Jane's Fund give a funeral to a family whose child who has died of cancer: $10,000
