Supporting Emery Rutledge's Battle with Leukemia
Last week, my brother and his beautiful family had their world turned upside down. On Monday 8/9, Andrew and Heather brought Emery, their 3yr old to the doctor's office, because they knew that something was off. By the end of the day they were admitted to the U of M Masonic Children's Hospital. By Tuesday 8/10, they were told the devastating news that Emery had B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). This form of childhood leukemia was the best we could hope for with a 85% rate to remission. We are so thankful that they followed their instincts and were able to get the help Emery needed!
This young family is going to need our love and support, as they begin this journey they know and understand that it takes a village!
This Spring, Heather decided to resign from her position as a school counselor and take time to focus on her family. Although in no way did they foresee that this is how she will be focusing her time, they are so thankful that they do not need to worry about going back to school in a few weeks and can keep their focus on their 2 little girls. (Lainey, 5yr old big sister, is so excited to start Kindergarten this year!) They had planned to be a one paycheck household and made all the necessary arrangements to make that work, with no knowledge of this new path they are foraging. At the beginning of the July, Andrew accepted a new job with Aspect Automation, he has been so excited to start a new journey with this company, and the family is feeling so blessed that they have been so understanding and compassionate, as they navigate their new reality. The only downfall is that he has only just begun to accumulate paid time off.
Emery has been the shining beacon in all of this, her strength and bravery has been awe inspiring to EVERYONE!!!! Her coy smiles, her infectious giggle and never wavering resolve, tells us what type of warrior she is!
They are finally home, but will need to make multiple visits each week to the doctors to keep up on her course of treatment. Which includes; clinic and hospital visits each week into Minneapolis, parking passes for the hospital parking ramp, gas for car, prescription medications, supplies for at home (for example; disposable gloves for changing diapers after her chemo treatments) and medical costs not covered by insurance. We know this will take its toll emotionally, physically and financially for them all in the days to come.
Life is still so unknown for the Rutledge family, and as friends and family we want to support them as best as we can. If you are able to donate OR share this GoFundMe link, we are hoping to alleviate just a little of the financial burden that will soon be upon their family. THANK YOU ALL for your love and support for this family!
If you would prefer to donate directly here is their Venmo: @Heather-Rutledge-18
Stay up to date on Emery's journey on CaringBridge: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/emeryrutledge