Baby Emma Needs Everyone on Her Side

Nine months ago, our daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Jacob Fuentes, received the ultimate blessing they’ve been dreaming of for most of their lives: the birth of their first child, a beautiful daughter they named Emma.  Like all new parents, they doted over their new addition with all the love in their hearts, and they found themselves completely immersed in the overwhelming joy that only a newborn can bring. They marveled as spunky little Emma breezed through the various developmental milestones and, as recently as just a couple of weeks ago, they were happily sharing videos with their family and friends featuring Emma beginning to crawl and exclaiming her first word: “Mamma.”

But, now, their happy world has been turned upside-down. Just a few weeks ago, they noticed a change in Emma’s vision and decided to take a trip to urgent care, where her emergency physicians immediately admitted her to the hospital. After over a week of testing, a battery of CT scans, MRI’s, and a biopsy all confirmed the devastating news that no parent ever wants to hear:  Sarah and Jacob learned that their little Emma has a rare form of Cancer, a High-Risk Neuroblastoma that has metastasized from a tumor in her abdomen throughout most of her body and her head.   The tumor in her head is now pushing on her brain, causing her loss of vision.

Predictably, our Emma is unmistakably revealing that she was born with the heart of a fighter.  Last week, she finished her first of many chemotherapy treatments.  But the road ahead will be a long and rough one, especially for a new little life, no matter how strong.  Emma is facing several rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.

Both Sarah and Jacob will be steadfastly by Emma’s side throughout her treatment. They are coming to terms with the reality that there will be costs far beyond what is covered by their health insurance, and Jacob will need to take time away from work. They also will need to rent housing by the hospital so Sarah can get rest and be close by to nurse Emma.  With the start of her chemotherapy treatments, Emma is finding the most comfort from nursing.

Those who know Sarah and Jacob know that they were both blessed with a servant’s heart. They have selflessly volunteered in their community, including their service fostering over 70 pets from the Front Street Animal Shelter. But now they’re in need, themselves. We’re asking that you please show them your love and support for Emma’s tough battle ahead in the form of a financial donation to sustain them for the duration of Emma’s treatment, when the Cancer is pronounced gone from her body, never to return.

Sarah and Jacob will be forever grateful for any amount their family, friends, and community will be willing to donate. If you are not in a financial position to donate, all we ask is you repost this information or forward it on in whatever fashion you are able.

As all parents know, the most helpless feeling in the world occurs when your child is ill. Parents of sick children pour themselves dry. They do this because they must, because they know that no one else can fill their child’s well of need. They do this because their hearts break for their ill child and because they know that, as difficult as it is to be the parent of an ill child, it is even harder to be that child.

Let’s ensure that Sarah, Jacob, and Emma have all the love and support they need to get them through this crisis. Thank you in advance for your contribution.

You may also send directly to them using their Venmo account: @Jacob-Fuentes-53

Kenny and Jennifer Sakazaki