100 Neediest Cases 55-57: Father struggles after cancer, wife's death

Share |
100 Neediest Cases 55-57: Father struggles after cancer, wife's death

Posted: Sunday, December 4, 2011 12:00 am | (Loading…) comments.

Font Size:
Default font size
Larger font size
100 Neediest Cases

Related Stories

CASE 55

R is a father trying to hold his family together as well as possible, but it has been hard as tragedy after tragedy hits. At just 41, R has already survived brain cancer. But the surgery that succeeded in removing the cancer left R with weakness in one side of his body, balance problems and memory loss. His wife had been the primary caregiver of their 10-year-old daughter, but she died suddenly earlier this year. Another daughter, 22, has fled an abusive relationship and moved in along with her son, 1. R has an adult son, 20, also living with the family as he recovers from a severe car crash. R sometimes struggles with depression and anxiety after his surgery and his wife's death. He tries to get by with his Social Security income and some income from his son, who is able work. R has fallen behind on bills and would appreciate any help. They are focused on paying for utilities and other bills, but the children would also appreciate toys, coats and clothes for the holidays.

CASE 56

At 67, E is stricken with a battery of health woes: lung disease, heart issues, hypertension, arthritis, obesity. Despite her fragile state, E has been the sole caregiver for her 45-year-old autistic son. Her son needs constant supervision as well as care for his own health issues, including diabetes, hypertension and glaucoma. Even with Medicare and insurance, the family's medical bills pile up. E's adult daughters are taking turns staying at her home to help with mother and son. The family's needs are many, but they could especially use help to pay their electric bill and E needs a new mattress for the twin hospital bed she sleeps in.

CASE 57

J and C have managed to stick together amid some major challenges. C hasn't been able to find full-time job since being laid off in 2008. J is in school trying to improve her limited job skills. Their only child is autistic. He requires constant supervision because he has no sense of fear and is extremely unpredictable. Mother and son were recently in a shelter but now the family is reunited in a home. That home leaves much to be desired, including a stove, kitchen table and chairs, bed and bedding and a dresser. The family also needs assistance with utilities.

Profiles by Greg Jonsson and Lisa Eisenhauer, both of the Post-Dispatch.

Copyright 2012 stltoday.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Posted in 100-neediest, Metro on Sunday, December 4, 2011 12:00 am Updated: 8:12 am. | Tags: 100 Neediest Cases, United Way,

Print Email

Sponsored Links

To adopt a case or donate

  • Call 314-421-6060 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays
  • CLICK HERE to donate
  • Mail a check to P.O. Box 955925, St. Louis, Mo. 63195

 

how to give

A TRADITION • For generations, the 100 Neediest Cases campaign has helped thousands of disadvantaged families during the holidays. The tradition dates to 1922, when civic leaders formed the Christmas Bureau.

The Post-Dispatch has partnered with the program for more than five decades, renaming the campaign 100 Neediest Cases in 1954. Annual donations to the campaign have swollen from $400 in 1922 to $1.4 million last year.

HOW IT WORKS • More than 70 social service agencies, working through the United Way, identify thousands of needy families.

This year, 13,000 cases were selected based on factors such as poverty, medical problems and other hardships. Volunteers then select 100 cases to be profiled in the newspaper. The profiles help raise awareness and encourage donations for the thousands of other needy families.

TWO WAYS TO GIVE

ADOPT A CASE • Donors can adopt one of the 100 families profiled both in print and at STLtoday.com/neediest. Thousands of other cases can also be adopted.

The United Way supplies donors with a complete list of a family's needs, along with all instructions needed to give. Donors are asked to meet at least one of the stated needs and provide at least one present for each child. Everything goes directly to the family, through a social worker. Last year, 1,200 cases were adopted.

DONATE • The 100 Neediest Cases general fund is used to help the 13,000 total cases identified for the program. Every family will receive something, and every dollar will go directly to a needy family. Or you may request that your contribution be considered to be applied to a particular 100 Neediest case.

TO ADOPT A CASE OR DONATE • Call 314-421-6060 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays, or visit 100neediestcases.org, or mail a check to P.O. Box 955925, St. Louis, Mo. 63195.

most popular