Let Us Help Antoinette Cantrell

Mj Mahoney is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of John Cantrell.

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Those of us blessed to know Antoinette Cantrell have quite likely been helped by her – because that is who she is, someone who helps everyone. She and her husband, John, raised four biological children, cared for more than fifty foster children who lived with them over a span of seventeen years, provided day care and respite for infants and toddlers, and adopted five more children. It was commonplace to see her out and about, common to hear her honk the horn of her twelve passenger van and wave her arm out the window exuberantly. “Hello! Call me!” she’d yell, her van full of car seats and children. Even as we know how loving, feisty and strong Antoinette is, it’s especially hard to accept that she is suddenly fighting for her life.

In early October, the Cantrell family contracted Covid-19. They quarantined, hunkered down, and everyone recovered, except Antoinette. Three weeks ago, Antoinette was admitted to Guthrie Hospital in Corning, New York with serious respiratory complications due to Covid-19. Two weeks ago, she became critically ill and was transferred to the ICU where she was intubated and put on a ventilator. A day later, she was flown via Life Flight’s critical care helicopter to Rochester, New York and admitted to the ICU at Strong Memorial Hospital on full life support, fighting for her life.

John Cantrell only asks for prayers. He feels the love and support of family, friends, and community and is so appreciative. John is home caring for the younger kids, some of whom have disabilities. Last week, John and Antoinette’s grown daughters organized a Care Calendar which has helped those of us who feel so helpless do something for them. The Care Calendar organizes meals and housekeeping to help John. The community response has been wonderful – we’ve nearly filled the meal calendar through November, including Thanksgiving dinner.

The goal of this second campaign is to donate money directly to John Cantrell to relieve the surmounting financial strain of Antoinette’s medical care. Any donation will help relieve the cost of Antoinette’s ongoing hospitalization and the financial stress radical illness brings with it.

Today, she continues to be on full life support, still on a ventilator, still sedated in the intensive care unit at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Our support and generosity is a way to say thank you for everything John and Antoinette have done for us and for so many children in need, for Child and Family Services of Chemung County, for their church community and neighbors. If you are able, please help Antoinette and John Cantrell during this time of need. Any donation is heartfelt and appreciated.

Go Fund Me sends all donations for Antoinette directly to John Cantrell.