Saturday, September 1, 2012

I need your help.

Guys, I need a big favor.

I have some friends who need your help.



I met Mike and Meghann about thirteen years ago.  We went to college together.  They were dating when Mike was first diagnosed with cancer.  We all knew they would get married, and they did, a few years later.  I was at their wedding, and Meghann was the world's most beautiful bride.

 Less than a year later, their daughter, Cayla was born.  Even though I can't believe it, she is 5 years old, now.


Two years after that, they had a son, Dylan.  He is three big years old.

As you can imagine, they're kind of in the thick of it, dealing with the ups and downs of parenting, stressed out and busy loving their babies and each other.  So much.

The thing is that, over the last ten years, while starting and carrying out their life together, Mike has also battled through two bouts with cancer and he's undergone five major surgeries on his kidneys, lymph nodes, and spine.  He's 34 years old.  (It really makes me think about all of the things I complain about, in my own life.)

A few weeks ago, he had major reconstructive surgery on his back.  He was recovering well, amazing everybody, like he always does, with his strength and resilience, when he suffered a set back.  On August 5, he was hospitalized with chest pain.  The doctors discovered that he had a pulmonary embolism and pneumonia in his lungs.  Even with the help of medication and therapy, his condition worsened and he is now fighting to recover from multiple blood clots, pneumonia and pluerisy (an extremely painful inflammation of the lining in his lungs.)

His little girl started kindergarten in the middle of all of this, just like my Scouty B.

There isn't anything I can do to help with most of the things this family has been through, but I can try to help with this:

Mike hasn't been able to work for over a year, and Meghann has been by his side every moment of every day.   They have both been working hard as parents to make sure their babies are safe and happy and loved.  Mike's medical bills are killing them.  I can try to help with that.

Meghann's sister has set up a fund so that people can donate to the ChapmansAny amount you could spare would help them get through this, would mean the world to me, and to Mike, Meghann, Cayla and Dylan.  If you can't donate money, there is an address here where you can send cards, gifts and well wishes.  Also, if you wouldn't mind, could you pass this link around, share it on your wall or whatever, and help get some support to this beautiful family.  Trust me, you guys, they deserve it.

You can send a donation via paypal using the button below, or visit their page for a mailing address:




Thank you, in advance.  You're the best. 


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4 comments:

  1. Done and shared.
    I am so sorry for what they are going through.

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing, Amanda. You have an amazing way of capturing the difficulty of their situation. Thanks to all who have reposted and supported them. I'm always amazed at the love and support of not only our family's friends, but of complete strangers with huge hearts.

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  3. Janine, you're welcome. I love your family and I hope that lots and lots of donations are coming in.

    ReplyDelete