PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL: Mom, daughter starting from ground up

As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers the stories of those applying for help. This is one of them.

It has been a long road for "Kara" and her young daughter, "Trinity."

Trinity has spent most of her little life fighting leukemia. Kara was unable to work while caring for her daughter until finally, earlier this year, Trinity's leukemia went into remission.

"I am the mother of a miracle," Kara said.

The past several years have been peppered with hospital stays, clinical trials and treatments in Seattle, as well as travel and lodging expenses and mountains of medical bills. The mother and daughter have relied on family for housing support, as they were homeless for the majority of the time Trinity was in treatment.

"I am a single mom, and we are starting from the ground up," Kara said. "Not only with a new immune system, but also in the sense of assimilating into the 'real world' outside of pediatric oncology."

Kara, who is recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder, is pursuing a degree at North Idaho College. She is determined to give her little girl a shot at a normal life.

"It is important to me to create stability for my daughter and myself while we both recover from long-term survival mode," Kara said.

Kara has overcome the hardships of caring for a long-term sick child. She found her voice while advocating for her daughter's medical care.

As they both recuperate from a difficult past, the road ahead had one more obstacle — tires.

Living in a rural community, Kara just needed snow tires to regularly drive over Fourth of July Pass for school and work. Press Christmas for All, Charity Reimagined and referring partner, the NIC Center for New Directions, arranged to award Kara new snow tires to help this mom and daughter succeed in their second chance at life.

"I have already made it through my biggest life challenge in getting my daughter through treatment," Kara said. "While I do worry about finances, I trust that God will provide."

Each year, Press readers donate generously to Press Christmas for All. Every penny raised is distributed to Kootenai County residents. All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corp.

The gift recipients are our neighbors who are struggling, including the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans, the homeless and those with mental illnesses. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working, but living in poverty.

Beneficiaries of Press Christmas for All keep their dignity while the community provides a hand up to help get them back on their feet.

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

Here are four ways to donate:

• Mail a check to Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.

• Call The Press and make a secure credit card donation over the phone: 208-664-8176

• Visit cdapress.com. Click on Christmas for All 2022 and make a secure, online donation.

• Drop off your check at The Press weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: 215 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

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