Defray costs for the Sabonis family

As many of you know, Anneliese, the youngest child of Rich and Kristen Sabonis, sister to El, Richard, and Catherine, is in the final stages of terminal brain cancer. At the incredibly young age of two, chatty and vibrant Anneliese was diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor (ETMR). The next 15-months was a long, exhausting road of treatments, surgeries, and hope. The emotional ups and downs have not only affected their family, but their extended family, circles of friends and community that spans far beyond their hometown of Farmington. Anyone who knows the Sabonis family, knows they love their children fiercely, and make the most of every day. With Anneliese, this was no different as the last 15 months played out. She smiled, played, and laughed her way through this difficult time.

 

As we all wrapped our proverbial arms around the family to give them the strength and love they needed most, many people asked “how can we help? what can we do?”. For months they politely declined any financial assistance to allow for others experiencing difficult journeys who perhaps needed it more. Now, faced with medical bills and funeral expenses, here is a way we can help to alleviate the stress of the finances that come with a terminal cancer diagnosis.

 

If you don’t know them personally, their story is one of family, love, and fierce-fight. It’s personal, and one we can all feel as a parent. They have given countless hours volunteering and participating in activities to support their children including school PTOs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, to name a few. While being a busy and active family was their drive, life had other plans.

 

This GoFundMe is set up to defray costs of Anneliese’s funeral, medical bills and missed work days without pay. Thank you for lifting them up with meals, cards and smiles over the past 15-months as they navigated pediatric cancer. From the bottom of their hearts, the Sabonis family is in your debt for all of the love, prayers, and out-pouring of support. They truly could not have gotten through the last 15 months without you. And they will navigate what comes next with the same level of gratitude.

 

Anneliese’s Cancer journey:

After being sick for several days in early February, 2021, Anneliese was admitted to the hospital where a brain tumor the size of a lime was seen and excised on February 4th, 2021. The tumor was ETMR, which carried a low survivability rate. Despite the low odds, the Sabonis family persevered and traveled to CCMC and Boston for treatments; met with numerous doctors for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and photon radiation. One would never know the fight Anneliese was facing during her treatments. She came home, was quiet for a few days, and then was bouncing off of the walls and lending a helping hand like an average 2 year old. As she reached her 3rd birthday in September of 2021, this same energy was seen, despite tumor regrowth. Her smile kept the family going, along with her positive energy. She was full of hugs and kisses to anyone who visited. However, despite everyone’s best efforts, on March 24th 2022, the family received the most devastating news any parent can receive: Anneliese would not win her courageous battle with cancer. With a diagnosis of a few weeks to months to live, the family is now facing preparations for a funeral for Anneliese, and life without her.

 

We thank you for your support and your prayers. ♥

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kristen Kirsch or Kelly Keough.