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Cancer, debt put damper on holidays

| December 5, 2018 12:00 AM

As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers the stories of some of the people applying for help. Here’s one of them.

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This mom of four is living with inoperable, late-stage lung cancer.

She’s never smoked, so her diagnosis came as a shock.

“If you have lungs, you can get this,” she told Press Christmas for All.

Battling cancer for five years has put a strain on the family. When the mom was diagnosed, the dad had just started a new job after being out of work due to an injury. They had no insurance.

Months of treatment buried the family under hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. The dad works two jobs to support the family, and the mom is unable to work full-time because of side effects from cancer treatment.

Though she’s in remission for now, she takes a chemo pill twice a day and undergoes targeted therapy. There’s a 90 percent chance the cancer will return.

Still, the mom’s biggest concerns are for her children, especially her teen daughter.

“She’s had to grow up really fast, with her dad breaking his neck and then with me being diagnosed shortly after,” the mom said. “It’s been really tough on her.”

Despite the challenges, this mom said she’s grateful for what she has.

“I’m here,” she said. “I’m alive. They only gave me a 5 percent chance to live, and I’m still here.”

This is the 33rd year Press Christmas for All has worked to brighten the lives of Kootenai County residents in need during the holiday season.

Each year, Press readers donate generously to the program. The money collected is distributed in the form of gift cards to those who might not otherwise be able to put a holiday meal on the table or purchase a small gift for a child.

The gift recipients are our neighbors who are struggling, including the elderly, disabled and mentally ill. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working, but living near or below the poverty level. They are barely making ends meet and they do not qualify for other holiday charity programs.

Some are responsible for children, others are alone throughout the holiday season. Despair is a common factor. But through Christmas for All, they feel the compassion of a caring community during what can be a very difficult time of year for them.

Press Christmas for All is managed by The Hagadone Corp., with assistance from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. It is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, run entirely by volunteers.

Every penny raised is distributed to needy Kootenai County residents. All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corp. and the volunteers at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.

Donations can be made by dropping off or mailing a check to: Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

To donate online, visit cdapress.com. Click on the menu on the left side of the page to find Christmas for All 2018.

To make a donation by phone using your credit card, call 208-664-8176.

RECENT DONORS:

Kathie Wilcox; Mark and Marlo Faulkner; Richard and Vivian Fedash; Doug and Peggy Albertson; Brian DeFrancesco; Allen and Norma Baldridge; Dan and Terry Crawford; Linda Beecher; Gary Freeland; Jim and Donna Runge; Mr. and Mrs. Alva Osborn; Sheree Deardoff; Kenneth Burbridge; James Ummel; Linda Fabian; James and Cally Sheehan; Mike and Sue Delles; Rick Hill in Memory of Ray and Ruth Jones; Bob and Paula McCall; Scott and Susan Kindler; Fern and Don Johnston; Nicky Cleveland in Memory of Great Grandson Kasen; Jamie Danish; Ned and Diane Tower; Evelyn Higbee.

OVER $500 CLUB:

Harley Moyer; Tim and Janet Kavran; Jon and Pam Ness.