Profiles in Courage – March 2019 Purim
Focusing this month on how young parents juggle chemo and holidays. Purim is a happy time, and parents don’t want their illness to impact the joy of the day for their children.
T., from Sderot, is 43 with 7 children, ages 2-15. Her husband drove a bus until a mental crisis forced him to stop. T. worked part-time at a low level job and the couple was slowly paying off debts and getting back on their feet. And then T. was diagnosed with breast cancer and now needs lengthy treatment. The Lemonade Fund sent them an emergency grant. In addition, they were sent a special young mother supplemental food grant, sponsored by Myisrael, one of our wonderful partners, from the UK.
L., 43, from Tel Aviv, has an autistic 4 year old, and a new diagnosis of breast cancer. She is awaiting further tests to assess whether or not it has metastasized. Her husband words in warehouse, but he has had to lose time from work to help his wife and child. The family is in financial crises. They were also sent an emergency grant from the Lemonade Fund and Myisrael.
Helping the poor is as much a part of Purim as costumes and candy. Your donation will get to needy breast cancer patients in financial crises. Thank you!
https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
Profiles in Courage – February 2019 and a Meaningful Thank You
Record number of applications. A snapshot of a few:
- I., 42, diagnosed from the start with Stage 4 breast cancer. Upon diagnosis, husband abandons her with 3 small children, no support. She had a decent job prior to her diagnosis, but now can no longer work full time, and any savings are going to upkeep and legal fees. Sent her a Lemonade Fund grant as well as a supplemental grocery money grant designated by Myisrael for our applicants with young children.
- S., a retiree living on a small pension, with a history of colon cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and depression, needs money for transport to chemo treatments.
- A., applicant from the Armenian section of Jerusalem, N.,(breast cancer + lung disease, very poor, needs supplement for basic living expenses.)
- A., 53, from Uzbekistan, lives with her mother (just dx with melanoma,) daughter (just divorced,) and infant granddaughter. Stage 3 diagnosis. Family needs help until National Health Insurance payments come in.
The Lemonade Fund is now helping Israeli breast cancer patients across the land. Our average grant is NIS 2,100 ($580.) This amount can make all the difference to a patient while they are going through treatment.
TO DONATE: https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
(Online tax deductible donations can be made from Israel, US, Canada, UK, Australia, etc.)
25/2/2019 THANK YOU LETTER
To the Lemonade Fund,
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of me and my daughters,
for your generous donation.
In dealing with this illness economic difficulties can put a dark cloud over one’s feeling of repose.
Keep on your blessed way,
Well done!
From Y.
המשיכו בדרכם הברוכה!
יישר כוח
Profiles in Courage – January 2019
M. is a 48 year old MAN with Stage 4 breast cancer. (1% of all breast cancers are in men. It is often found at later stages since men are not routinely screened.) M. is a married father of 9 children, (1 soldier, 1 married, the rest live at home,) who can no longer work due to the side effects of treatment for cancer that has spread to his lungs and bones. His wife works in eldercare, but she is overwhelmed with caring for her ill husband and young children. The family is now deeply in debt and is in crisis. The Lemonade Fund awarded them a grant to alleviate some of their financial pressure during this difficult time.
V., 37, has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals since she was a young adult, her mental health issues possibly compounded by sexual abuse she endured as a child. V. has had addiction problems as well (drugs and alcohol.) She was trying to get her life back on track (she recently began studying graphic arts and had coaching which was really helping her.) And then she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The diagnosis caused a suicide attempt and V. is in a very bad place. Her partner, with whom she lives, is recovering from back surgery and is unable to work. They are beginning to take on debt and need help. The Lemonade Fund grant will help sustain them until they can get back on their feet.
To help needy breast cancer patients while they are in treatment:
https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
The Lemonade Fund is the only Breast Cancer Emergency Relief Fund in Israel, helping all Israeli citizens.
Women’s Health Awareness Evening: Breast Health 31/1/2019 Raanana
Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/393500344753288/
Thank You. I am No Longer Alone in the World…
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A Thank You letter from a recent Lemonade Fund grant recipient.
(עברית למטה)
I would like to thank you for the generous grant which you authorized for me unexpectedly and within such a short time.
You are the only ones and the first to help me in this difficult situation, as a single mother, who within a month and a half of being diagnosed with the illness, was about to undergo surgery and leave my seven year old without me at home, with no help or assistance from anyone.
I was so overcome to see the grant in my bank account, for me it is like a gift from heaven, so pleasing, and it is so supporting and encouraging to know that someone cares.
I feel that I am no longer alone in the world, at this dramatic and critical moment in my life. Thank you very much.
It really gives me hope and strength to continue.
ברצוני להודות לכם על המענק הנדיב אשר אישרתם לי במפתיע בהתראה כה קצרה
היחידים והראשונים שעזרו לי במצב הלא פשוט הזה, כאם חד הורית, שבתוך חודש וחצי מגילוי המחלה, עומדת להיכנס לניתוח ולעזוב בית עם ילד בן 7 כשאין שום סיוע או עזרה מאף אחד.
התרגשתי כל כך לראות את העזרה הזאת בחשבון, כמו מתנה משמים, כל כך משמחת, כל כך תומכת ומעודדת
לדעת שלמישהו אכפת
שאני לא לגמרי לבד בעולם ברגעים כאלה דרמטיים וקריטיים בחיי
תודה רבה
זה בהחלט נותן לי תקוה וכוח להמשיך
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כאשר נטל פיננסי של חולה בסרטן נופל על הילדים – דצמבר 2018.
ר., בת 55, מירושלים סובלת מבעיות פסיכיאטריות (עברה מספר אשפוזים), שבר ברגל ובשלב זה – סרטן השד. היא עברה לאחרונה כריתת שד והיא עומדת להתחיל בטיפול כימותרפי, למרות היותה מרותקת למיטה. ביתה בת ה -30 (בהיריון עם ילדתה השלישית) עובדת במשרה מלאה (משכורת של 3000 שקל לחודש), והיא היחידה שמטפלת באמא שלה, על כל ענייניה הבריאותיים וכספיים. ר. שקועה עמוק בחובות. היא מקבלת קצבת נכות צנועה וסיוע בדמי שכירות. עם זאת, כל ההוצאות הנוספות שהבת נושאת (הוצאות שנגרמו בגלל מחלתה של אימה), כגון עלויות נסיעות ושמרטפות, היעדרות מעבודתה – אינן מכוסות. תהליך הגשת בקשה לסיוע מקרן לימונדה, בסיוע העובדים הסוציאליים בבית החולים, מאפשר לנו לקבל תמונת מצב משפחתי של המטופלת. כולנו מודעים לעובדה אבחנה של סרטן משפיעה על כל המשפחה. במקרים מסוימים המטפלים סובלים מעומס יתר והם זקוקים לסיוע כספי כדי לא לקרוס! קרן לימונדה כאן לעזור לחולים אלה וכן למשפחותיהם.
https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/ תודה! :לתרום לקרן לימונדה
When the Financial Burden of a Parent’s Cancer Falls on the Children – December 2018.
R., age 55, from Jerusalem has psychiatric problems (several hospitalizations,) a broken leg and now, breast cancer. She recently underwent a mastectomy and is about to start chemotherapy, despite being currently bedridden. Her 30 year-old daughter (pregnant with her third child,) works full-time (NIS 3000/month salary,) and is the sole caretaker for her mother, for all of her health and financial affairs. R. is deeply in debt and gets by with a small disability check and rental assistance. However, all of the daughter’s extra expenses (caused by her mother’s illness,) such as transportation and babysitting costs, time lost from work, are not covered. The Lemonade Fund application process, aided by hospital social workers, allows us to get a picture of the patient’s family situation. We all know that cancer impacts an entire family. In some cases, the caretakers are overburdened and need financial help badly so they don’t crash! The Lemonade Fund is here for these patients and their families.
To donate to the Lemonade Fund:
https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
THANK YOU!
Profiles in Courage – October 2018
C, a 20 year old soldier from the center of the country, was weeks away from completing her army service when she felt a lump in her breast. While her friends were planning post-army trips or applying to university, C. was preparing for chemotherapy. C. turned to the Lemonade Fund for financial help because she had expenses caused by her illness and her family is destitute and couldn’t help her. During her army service, C. had permission to work part time outside of the army so that she could contribute income to her family. Now, in addition to being unable to work and help her family, C. needs help herself. The Lemonade Fund grant will provide C. with money to cover transportation to treatment costs, specialty clothing and most importantly to a such a young woman, a wig that matches her real hair. We wish C. a full recovery and a return to the normal life of a young adult.
R., a retired teacher, originally from the former Soviet Union, has experienced two tragedies in the last few years. Four years ago her daughter died of ovarian cancer, and then her husband died suddenly on the day of her diagnosis with breast cancer. To make matters worse, she is responsible for the care of her surviving son who has mental health problems and lives with her. R. is still reeling from the losses she has suffered, and she is also finding it hard to manage on her small pension and her son’s disability benefits. R.’s social worker submitted an application to the Lemonade Fund on R.’s behalf, and we hope that her Lemonade Fund grant sends her a message of our support, financially as well as emotionally.
These are the stories of two of the applicants from September. This past month we had a steep increase in the number of applications and we appreciate your continued support so that we can keep helping Israeli breast cancer patients who are in financial distress.
To donate: https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
A reminder that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Here is a lemony graphic to help you be alert to the possible signs of breast cancer. Early diagnosis can help save lives.
An End and a Beginning…
The first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 1, coincides with the last day of the cycle of Jewish holidays this year, (the Jewish New Year, Yom Kippur and the festival of Sukkot.) There is a connection here that is worth noting.
It is customary to read the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon’s deeply philosophical and personal tome, on Sukkot. King Solomon is writing at the end of his life, about what, after a lifetime of wealth and fame, really matters.
“Send your bread upon the waters, for after many days, you will find it.”
(Ecclesiastes 11:1)
This verse is understood as a an urging to give charity to strangers, those whom one might never meet. The generosity will be repaid, the giver rewarded.
The cycle of Jewish holidays ends a period of reflection and judgement. Next week we will all return to our routines and officially begin our year. It is important to realize what gift NORMALCY is.
Breast cancer patients who are in treatment and in financial crisis don’t have this privilege; they are in the midst of a fight for survival. We created the Lemonade Fund, Israel’s one and only Breast Cancer Emergency Relief Fund, to give one-time grants to the most indigent breast cancer patients, to help with:
- lost income due to treatments and dr visits.
- extra childcare or household help
- transportation cost assistance
- emergency financial assistance while awaiting national benefits.
To donate: https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
Thank you!
The Lemonade Fund sends final wishes for a good new year. At the same time we urge all women (and men at risk, 1% of breast cancers occur in men!) to schedule their yearly breast screening.
Happy New Year! Reaching 1 mil in Grants!
Raise a glass…this New Year the Lemonade Fund will surpass
1,000,000 shekels in grants awarded to Israeli breast cancer patients.
In a few short years, the Lemonade Fund has become THE safety net in Israel for any breast cancer patient in financial crises. The ONLY breast cancer emergency relief fund in Israel…
“A. got a grant after fleeing her abusive husband. The money carried her while she was living in a domestic abuse shelter with her 2 children, and undergoing chemotherapy.”
“E. discovered a lump while pregnant with her first child after years of infertility. She carried the baby to term knowing that she’d have to start chemotherapy immediately after the birth. With no family or extra money, E.’s grant enabled her to hire help and get through treatment.”
“M., mom of 7 children, youngest age 9, became the sole family breadwinner when her husband went blind. An office cleaner, M., was then diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, and the family had no source of income. M.’s Lemonade Fund grant helped the family stay afloat, until other social services were able to step in.”
To read more stories:
https://lemonadefund.org/?s=profiles&submit=Search
To watch our short movie:
https://lemonadefund.org/movie-what-the-lemonade-fund-does/
TO DONATE:
https://lemonadefund.org/to-donate/
Lemonade Fund grants alleviate financial pressure during treatment so that patients can focus on recovery. By sending support and lessening stress, we hope that Lemonade Fund grants help patients get better faster so that they can go back to living their lives…
L’CHAIM! TO LIFE!
The ESRA Lemonade Fund sends wishes to all for a happy and healthy new year. Thank you for your strong support over the years, enabling us to continue this important work.
