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Dear Tom:

 

In January 2010, my then seven-year-old daughter Davie was diagnosed with acute lymph-o-blastic leukemia. I thought fighting her cancer would only take a few months—however, three years later we are still waging this battle.

Six months ago, Davie relapsed with lymphoma and has since restarted a rigorous chemotherapy treatment in preparation for a bone marrow transplant. She will go in for tests tomorrow and if everything checks out ok she will begin the procedure later this week. Her recovery should take about six weeks and optimistically her cancer will be knocked out for good.

I am a single mother of Davie and her twin sister. The girls turned ten-years-old on October 25th. Before my daughter’s illness I worked as an English teacher. However, I have not been able to re- enter the work force in several years, because Davie’s illness requires several trips a week to the hospital for chemo and to doctor appointments. Then, there is always the unexpected emergency that renders me ineffective in a traditional classroom.   

Tom, I have been pondering many creative ways to earn a living—for example, online teaching, blogging or documenting our story to help other parents with children going through the same treatment. It is my Christmas wish to ask for your help in purchasing a laptop and portable printer, so that i may restructure my professional life as an educator, find a job while Davie recovers and to be able to support my children and myself without depending on others.   

Yours truly,

   Suzette Holness