Rallying Around Our Mom & Dad
Our parents have always been the kind of people who would do anything for their family and the people they love, but would never ask for help themselves.
My sister, brother and I started this fundraiser on their behalf because we know they would never ask — even during one of the most difficult times our family has ever faced.
Our dad has already endured more medically than most people should have to. He is a Type 1 diabetic and has a long history of serious heart problems, including open-heart surgery, a valve replacement and a pacemaker/defibrillator.
Recently, our family received another devastating blow when he was diagnosed with throat cancer.
He is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy five days a week, with treatment approximately an hour and a half away from home. As if the diagnosis, treatment and daily travel weren’t difficult enough, he has now developed complications from his treatment and is hospitalized until further notice.
While our family was trying to navigate our dad’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, the unimaginable happened again.
Our mom suffered a sudden and massive heart attack.
She had to be resuscitated twice, and we are incredibly grateful that she survived. After spending several days in the hospital, she was finally able to return home, but she now has restrictions on her daily activities while her heart recovers.
Her recovery has been especially difficult because, instead of being able to focus completely on healing herself, she is also carrying the constant worry of her husband battling cancer and being hospitalized.
In what feels like the blink of an eye, both of our parents went from living their normal lives to facing two incredibly serious medical battles at the same time.
Why We Asked for Help
Our parents have always been there for everyone else. When they were suddenly unable to work and facing an uncertain road ahead, we wanted to be there for them.
The last thing we wanted was for financial stress to become another burden they had to carry.
Support has helped with the many expenses that come with serious illness, including medical care, travel to and from treatment, hospital stays, everyday household expenses, lost income and the unexpected costs that arise when life suddenly changes.
More than anything, we wanted to give our mom the opportunity to focus on healing her heart and our dad the time and strength he needs to fight cancer, without the added weight of financial stress.
Our family is incredibly grateful for everyone who supported Johnny and Becky in whatever way they could.
Some people donated. Some attended the benefit dinner. Some sponsored the event, donated items or services, volunteered their time, helped behind the scenes, shared their story, or simply reached out with a message of love and encouragement.
Every act of support meant something to our family.
A Community That Showed Up
The Johnny & Becky Benefit Dinner was a beautiful reminder of how many people care about our parents.
Family, friends, businesses, volunteers and members of our community came together to create an evening filled with generosity, love and support.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make the benefit possible and to everyone who showed up for Johnny and Becky.
The event may be over, but our parents' journey continues.
From the Bottom of Our Hearts
Our family will never be able to fully express what the kindness and generosity shown to Johnny and Becky has meant to us.
Thank you to everyone who has donated, volunteered, sponsored, attended, shared, encouraged, prayed, checked in, or simply kept our parents in your heart.
Our parents have spent their lives showing up for the people they love.
Now it’s our turn to show up for them.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting our mom and dad and surrounding them with love, prayers and support during one of the most difficult times our family has ever faced.
— Their very grateful children