Emmet Schmidt Leukemia Fund
Emmet's Story
Emmet Jacob Schmidt was a normal little boy just like any other. Funny, bright and intensely curious he reveled in his youth and freedom. But on Saturday, March 24th, 2012, everything changed for Emmet and his entire family. Emmet was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia just two months before his 8th birthday. Since then, Emmet has been through several spinal taps and rounds of chemotherapy and taken hundreds of pills. At only 8 years old he has been through more than many will experience in their whole lives.
Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. White blood cells help your body fight infection and form in your bone marrow. In leukemia, however, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells. These cells crowd out the healthy blood cells, making it hard for blood to do its work. If untreated, acute lymphocytic leukemia is fatal.
What's Happening
Emmet's cancer is currently in remission and he is at home with his family. Although treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia is typically very successful, it is usually a long road. Treatment often lasts 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years, and the first six months are the most intense.
What It Means
Emmet's parents, Jacob and Stacey Schmidt, must stay strong and positive for Emmet while simultaneously incurring the cost of the battle with leukemia - all the while raising Emmet's two siblings, Austin, age 10 and Olivia age 12. Along with the everyday expenses of food, clothing and shelter for the entire family, this one-income family is encumbered with the added financial strains of travel costs from their home in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia to Inova Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia (about 2 hours each way), plus lodging during treatments away from home, meals during hospital visits, extra child care costs for Austin and Olivia, special foods and nutritional supplements, prescriptions, special medical equipment and clothing. These kinds of financial strains can lead to huge amounts of debt and even bankruptcy for the average American family. Financial stress adds additional anxiety for the parents, even resentment from the siblings and intense feelings of guilt for an already ailing young man.
How To Help
But you can help with a monetary donation. Anything and everything will help. Even three dollars can pay for the tolls to get to the hospital. If you would like to help the Schmidt family, please feel free to donate below. If you would prefer to send something directly to the family through the mail, please use the contact form below. I know that Weis and Sheetz gift cards can help with the gas and groceries. You can also purchase a CD by Appalachian Safari. 70% of the proceeds go directly to the family. You can buy the album from CD Baby by clicking here. You can find them here on Facebook. Also, feel free to take a moment to tell Emmet and the whole family that you care. They would love to hear it. Thank you all for caring.
- “Aunt” Jessica Schmidt Paquin
Emmet Jacob Schmidt was a normal little boy just like any other. Funny, bright and intensely curious he reveled in his youth and freedom. But on Saturday, March 24th, 2012, everything changed for Emmet and his entire family. Emmet was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia just two months before his 8th birthday. Since then, Emmet has been through several spinal taps and rounds of chemotherapy and taken hundreds of pills. At only 8 years old he has been through more than many will experience in their whole lives.
Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. White blood cells help your body fight infection and form in your bone marrow. In leukemia, however, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells. These cells crowd out the healthy blood cells, making it hard for blood to do its work. If untreated, acute lymphocytic leukemia is fatal.
What's Happening
Emmet's cancer is currently in remission and he is at home with his family. Although treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia is typically very successful, it is usually a long road. Treatment often lasts 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years, and the first six months are the most intense.
What It Means
Emmet's parents, Jacob and Stacey Schmidt, must stay strong and positive for Emmet while simultaneously incurring the cost of the battle with leukemia - all the while raising Emmet's two siblings, Austin, age 10 and Olivia age 12. Along with the everyday expenses of food, clothing and shelter for the entire family, this one-income family is encumbered with the added financial strains of travel costs from their home in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia to Inova Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia (about 2 hours each way), plus lodging during treatments away from home, meals during hospital visits, extra child care costs for Austin and Olivia, special foods and nutritional supplements, prescriptions, special medical equipment and clothing. These kinds of financial strains can lead to huge amounts of debt and even bankruptcy for the average American family. Financial stress adds additional anxiety for the parents, even resentment from the siblings and intense feelings of guilt for an already ailing young man.
How To Help
But you can help with a monetary donation. Anything and everything will help. Even three dollars can pay for the tolls to get to the hospital. If you would like to help the Schmidt family, please feel free to donate below. If you would prefer to send something directly to the family through the mail, please use the contact form below. I know that Weis and Sheetz gift cards can help with the gas and groceries. You can also purchase a CD by Appalachian Safari. 70% of the proceeds go directly to the family. You can buy the album from CD Baby by clicking here. You can find them here on Facebook. Also, feel free to take a moment to tell Emmet and the whole family that you care. They would love to hear it. Thank you all for caring.
- “Aunt” Jessica Schmidt Paquin