Foundation ReportBret and Christy Wilson

Since our last newsletter, Erin’s foundation has provided over $35,000 in assistance to families of children with cancer and blood-related illnesses—an all-time high in annual assistance. As a result, this year is the first in which our assistance levels exceeded our annual fundraising. We will be holding additional fundraisers throughout the year to ensure that we meet our families’ needs—including Erin’s 21st birthday party on December 30th at Boulevard Brewery.

Although the current economic environment has contributed to the growth in assistance requests, the primary driver for increased assistance is the growing Children’s Mercy Hematology/Oncology patient population. When Erin was first diagnosed with cancer in 1994, a new patient was diagnosed about once a week at Children’s Mercy. Now, almost every other day a Children’s Mercy family learns that their child has been diagnosed with cancer, thus embarking on a fight for his or her life. As Children’s Mercy continues to become a national center of excellence for cancer research and treatment, Erin’s foundation will be called upon more often to meet the needs of Children’s Mercy patients and their families.

This year we are pleased to share with you words from Pat Brown and Elizabeth Diddle—two Children’s Mercy social workers assisting our families on “the front lines” in their fight against childhood cancer.

Testimony from The Front LinesPat Brown and Elizabeth Diddle

The Erin Andra Wilson Foundation has made my job at Children’s Mercy Hospital, working with families who have a child with cancer, so much easier. This foundation is the ONLY organization that can provide funds on a very short notice, sometimes as short as a call made in the morning and I have what is requested to help a family within 24 hours or less! Christy and Bret will do whatever it takes to help. So many of the requests are emergencies and money is needed

now or within a few days. I have requested financial help for temporary lodging for a homeless family of four; assistance with utilities about to be turned off; money for food until the next check from Social Security Disability for Children arrives; mortgage payments when a family goes from a two-income family to one so the non-working parent can care for their child; and gift cards to pay for medical supplies and liquid nutritional supplements not covered by insurance. The list of how this Foundation has helped hematology/oncology families is very long. The Erin Andra Wilson Foundation found a need and filled it. Words cannot express the gratitude the families have for the assistance provided to them through this Foundation. Your donations to the Erin Andra Wilson Foundation directly help families who have a child with a life-threatening illness. I appreciate your help keeping this Foundation in the black so they can continue their mission of helping those in need. Erin is smiling.

Pat Brown, MSFT

If I were to write what the Erin Wilson Foundation has meant to our families it would fill pages. When families call and say they don’t know how they are going to make the mortgage payment or some other critical bill in their life, I know there is an option out there that will relieve part of their burden . . . the Erin Andra Wilson Foundation. Parents who have children with cancer or chronic illness carry such a heavy burden. They are trying to do everything for their child’s health, but bills still come. This organization has provided mortgage/rent help, utility help, transportation help, and so many other kinds it is difficult to list. It’s the kind of hands-on foundation that truly cares about patients and goes the extra mile to see that burdens are lifted.

Elizabeth Diddle, LMSW

Headlines and Heartfelt Thanks