This Christmas we are asking our friends and family to give to the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund to help childhood cancer patient, Emmanuel and his family. 

Emmanuel (or Eman as his family calls him) is six years old and his laugh and smile is contagious. He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at just four years old. This diagnosis means a three year treatment plan, most of the first year was spent in the hospital. He has just finished his second year of planned treatment. Eman takes oral chemo daily and goes to the clinic for infusions every few weeks. In between he has lab work and doctors visits too. Eman’s family is constantly adjusting to their new “normal” but living each day with anxiety. Both parents miss time from work to be sure Eman gets the care he needs. This results in decreased income and the medical bills and other expenses resulting from childhood cancer have created hardships for this family.

They have one car, Eman’s mom works as a High School teacher and dad coaches High School football, basketball and track plus picks up night shifts at a restaurant when he can. When Eman has a to be at the hospital or clinic for treatment the whole family goes. Both parents want to be present if something goes wrong, knowing they don’t have transportation to get there separately.
They have made one vehicle work, alternating schedules whenever possible and planning ahead. It’s not easy, they live in constant fear of what ifs – what if Eman spikes a fever, a critical symptom for cancer patients, and needs to go to the ER? How will mom get him there if dad is at work with the car? What if their younger daughter is ill or there is an important event?

The Jay Fund has helped Eman’s family by covering household bills for them when there is a financial crisis, allowing Emans parents to be there as a support system. They also provide special experiences for his family so they can get a break from their everyday stress.

We know that Emmanuel loves Christmas. Our goal with our Christmas party this year is to make Emmanuel’s family’s holidays extra special. In the spirit of giving, we are teaming up with the Jay Fund to give Eman and his family the second car that they badly need to make their life easier!