From left: Patricia Escalera Sanchez, mother; Alexis, 19; Arely, 3; Nataly, 11; Viridiana, 16. The father was unable to be present at the time of the interview. Photography by Jamie Maldonado for Giving City Austin. June 16, 2012.
Last month we met Nataly Sanchez, a remarkable girl in Round Rock who undergoes five-day treatments every two weeks for ovarian cancer.
Nataly is one of four girls in the family. Her parents do the best they can for the girls, but with Nataly’s diagnosis and treatments, her mom Patricia has had to quit her two jobs. Her dad Alejandro works hard, but his salary just barely covers their mortgage. Food, clothes, gas, medical bills, HOA fines from not caring for their yard and all the other things a family might need have had to wait.
Alejandro and Patricia are exhausted, scared, isolated and hopeful all at the same time. “I just hope and pray that my little girl gets better,” says Patricia. They’ve never needed help more than they do now.
We wrote about Nataly and her family in the most recent issue because…. well, because I know you people. You are helpers. You read a story like this and realize there’s something you can do.
“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
GivingCity readers aren’t going to save Nataly. I have a feeling there’s enough love in her family to get her through this. But GivingCity readers can help the family with their financial and emotional burdens.
Most of all, I think you can do something to buoy their spirits, help them keep the faith and let them know that there are people in Central Texas who believe that no one should ever face a life-threatening illness alone.
The Sanchez family is a client of The Care Communities, which offers just this kind of support to people from all walks of life facing an illness. Care Communities is accepting donations online for the Sanchez family. Please click here to donate now and indicate THE SANCHEZ FAMILY in the comments section.
You can also support them with in-kind donations. See this list below. In-kind donations can be taken to The Care Communities or The Austin Community Foundation at 4315 Guadalupe St. Suite 303, Austin TX 78751.
HOW TO HELP THE SANCHEZ FAMILY: Help paying medical bills for Nataly; mortgage payments assistance; utility assistance; home owners association fees assistance; tuition assistance for Alexis; grocery store, restaurant and gas cards; new bedding and pillows for king-, double- and full-sized beds; chemical-free sunscreen and personal products for Nataly; shoes and clothing for girls, ages 3, 11, 16 and 19; personal products and makeup for girls; hair appointment for mother; gift cards, movie passes, books, videos and fun items to occupy girls in the summer.
PS: I gave them some clothes, some groceries and some cash. A volunteer took it to them last week and reported back that the mother cried and the girls were thrilled. Please find a way to help them, too. Thank you.
