Saving Taylor

This week our precious Taylor, who is 5 years old was diagnosed with Leukemia. There are still a lot of unknowns at this time. But here is what we do know. Michelle and Jason need to be able to focus on the following: Getting Taylor cancer free. Michelle and Jason need to be able to be by her side through treatment as well as care for their one year old son, who can not be in Taylor’s presence at this time due to her immune system. They need to be able to be positive and strong for their daughter as they navigate through this trying time. They are going to need to help their FIVE YEAR OLD understand what is happening to her body without scaring her. They need to be able to comfort her. Jason will still need to be able to continue with his employment so he can provide financially for all of the costly healthcare and treatments Taylor will need. We know that this will be the hardest time of their lives. The less they can worry about the better!

There are a lot of unknowns as to how this battle will directly effect their lives as a whole, but as loved ones the biggest thing we know right now is they SHOULD NOT have to worry about whether or not they will be able to financially provide whatever treatment is needed. Any donation big or small DOES make a difference. No parent should ever have to face this ever but with your help they don't have to face it alone

Childhood cancer is MUCH different than Adult cancer. Here are some things you should know about childhood cancer and why your donation is so important.

Meghan Hickford, a cancer mother wrote the following to help shed light on childhood cancer.

“The federal government spends less than 4% on all children’s cancer research

There are 12 main pediatric cancers and many others that huddle under those 12 umbrellas.

On ALL CHILDREN’S CANCERS COMBINED, the feds spend less than 4% of their cancer research budget.

In the last 25 years there have only been 2 new pediatric cancer drugs. They say it’s rare and that numbers initiate research dollars yet, 46 children are diagnosed each day with cancer. That is two classrooms EACH DAY that fall to this monster!! And it doesn’t stop. Ever.

If a disease epidemic hit our country that began taking 46 kids each day, our government would be full throttle to find a cure. These are our babies, our futures.

Did you know that most of the drugs used to aid in pediatric cancer were only intended for adults? This causes a couple of problems. First, very few of these drugs have been changed to pediatric forms or measurements, even though they are prescribed to kids. This means that nurses, doctors, pharmacists have to figure out how to administer them properly. It can be an algebraic nightmare and they must check and double check one another to make sure that they dose our kids properly. The next problem is that many insurance companies fight to pay, or won't pay at all, for these drugs to be used because they are not pediatric. According to them, they are not being used as intended. If the pharmaceutical companies would change them to pedi-dosages and forms (i.e. liquid or chewable) this wouldn’t be an issue. But pediatric cancer is not seen as big dollar business. What this means for parents is a FIGHT that shouldn’t be. Or trying to figure out how to pay for the very medicines that could save our babies lives.

At one point, Jake (Meghan’s son) needed Zofran to combat all of the nausea after chemo and our insurance denied it. Have you ever heard of an adult cancer patient being denied their after-chemo-nausea meds? It was noted that it was “not necessary”. Because it was 6pm and we needed it immediately after being released from a week long, high-dose chemo stay, we had to pay out of pocket for a drug that would cost an adult a $25 co-pay. That pharmacy bill was $280 for 10 pills. Another time, Jake had to have an at-home chemo. Because it was termed as a non-pedi drug, we paid out of pocket $860 for 5 days of medication. That happened more times than I can count.

The bills escalate for cancer families and the list of prescriptions grow each week, each month. The government sits back and says, it’s rare. This is why we need you! Let our politicians know where you want YOUR money spent. Spend some of it on our babies… PLEASE!”
— with Meghan Hickford

Unfortunately this is the reality of some of things the Hurst Family will face. Let's do what we can to support the Hurst family through this heart wrenching season.

At this time we ask that any comments or messages sent to the Hurst family remain positive and uplifting.Taylor is a strong, beautiful little girl and she's already winning the hearts of all those everywhere. We thank you for your prayers and support to help this sweet family who deserves to focus on being positive and not worry as much as possible.