Hi Guys, I received this email from Matt Newman a couple of days ago. Thought
you might want to know about his wife's situation.
Thanks,
John
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <matthew.newman@...>
Date: Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 1:54 PM
Subject: Marjorie's Marathon
To: darienjohn@...
Dear John,
I have not always been the best at keeping in touch with my friends and
colleagues, but I decided I would be indiscriminate with this mailing as this is
something I never do, and it concerns my wife.
We continue to be overwhelmed with the love and support we have receive, in some
instances by people we have not had contact with since high school, so it is
with that sentiment that I put this out there. May this letter find all of you
health, and in good spirits this January of 2012.
Regards,
Matthew Newman
646 896-9191
To the Friends and Family of Marjorie Harris Newman:
Happy New Year! We wanted to send a thank you to all of our friends and family
who have supported and continue to support Marjorie and her family during this
challenging battle with colon cancer. We received such an unbelievable
groundswell of support following our initial email. We now have over 170
friends on Marjorie's Marathon Group on Facebook offering words of
encouragement, sharing pictures/videos that make you smile and laugh out loud,
and just reconnecting with Marjorie and letting her know they are there to
support her. I cannot tell you how much her visits to this group Facebook page
inspire and humble her as well as lift her spirits during the trials and
tribulations of chemotherapy and cancer. She jokes that she feels like George
Bailey at the end of It's A Wonderful Life.
Oftentimes, it is difficult to reach out for support – both moral support and
financial support. Marjorie was initially hesitant about us reaching out to our
friends and family for help until one of her friends told her "When people ask
what they can do to help, they really mean it." It has been inspirational for
our family to see how many lives our sister has touched, and we are equally
inspired by how you have reached out to support her in her time of need. It has
lifted her spirits and carried her through the rough chemotherapy treatments.
For those of you who do not know the situation with Marjorie's cancer, she was
diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer that had also spread to her lymph nodes
about 8 months ago. This shocking news came crashing down hard on Marjorie, her
husband Matthew, and her family. Marjorie's father passed away from bladder
cancer at the end of April, and soon afterwards, we received Marjorie's colon
cancer diagnosis. Marjorie had surgery at the end of June and began an
aggressive round of chemotherapy on August 2nd. She is going through
chemotherapy until the end of February and then re-tested for colon cancer.
It is a challenging time for the Harris/Newman family. With two small children
at home, and a new commission-only sales job for Matthew working with
Northwestern Mutual Life, this additional burden has been overwhelming.
However, as many of you know, Marjorie is one tough woman - she has successfully
confronted many unexpected obstacles in her life and is confident that she will
overcome this one as well.
So, as a family, we committed ourselves to easing their burden over the coming
months and possibly years.
As our first step to fortify Marjorie and her family for the battle ahead, we
have created this Facebook Group - Marjorie's Marathon Group. If you want to
join, please search for Marjorie's Marathon Group and ask to join. We will add
you. The purpose of this group is threefold:
· Encourage friends and family to show their support, share prayers and
thoughts, and stay up-to-date with Margie's journey;
· Rally and organize help for Margie in the form of child care, help with the
household, providing healthy food and other acts of kindness;
·Raise much-needed funds to help Marjorie cover the looming, dizzying mountain
of bills and co-pays that insurance will not cover.
Organizing Real Life Help for Margie
In the few weeks since this information has become public, so many of you have
asked how you can help out with some of her day-to-day challenges. Here are
some ideas:
All things household/domestic.
Marjorie and Matthew will have their hands full balancing 2 little kids with
chemo treatments that may have debilitating side effects. If you are a local
friend in the Chicago area, perhaps you have time to help Marjorie with play
dates for Justin or Harrison, babysitting, transportation, or providing healthy
groceries. Matthew is a gourmet cook and is cooking healthy, cancer fighting
foods. Groceries or gift cards from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's or Dominick's
Grocery store would be helpful. If you are interested in any of these very
important roles, please contact Melanie Harris 773-251-2631 or
melanie@.... She will be glad to tell you more and coordinate a
schedule of opportunities where you can help.
Grants and Financial Assistance
Already, Marjorie and Matthew have opened some daunting bills for the procedures
she has undergone. Insurance only covers some of Marjorie's treatment.
However, things like co-pays, child care, travel costs, deductibles and
incidentals will add up to a giant hole of debt before long. As the American
Cancer Society says, "No one can afford cancer." If you know of any
foundations and non-profits who offer funds to help out with the financial
strain of cancer, hear of possible leads, have experience with grant-writing, or
have a fund-raising contact or idea, please email Chris Harris at
charris3@..., and we will follow up on your lead.
Say a Prayer, Light a Candle
Please take a moment to say a prayer for Marjorie or send her your most healing
thoughts. Together, our thoughts, prayers and candles will become stars that
light the dark sky and assure Marjorie and Matthew that they are not alone.
Make a donation to Marjorie's Marathon
Our family has started a designated, tax-deductible fund to help Marjorie and
Matthew bridge the financial gap that is already forming. This fund is
administered by a wonderful non-profit called Heartworks started post 9-11 to
promote ongoing acts of kindness. This organization was founded in
Bernardsville, New Jersey where Marjorie lived as a child.
We ask you today to consider making a tax-deductible gift to this fund. Your
donation will help cover the costs of insurance co-pays and other treatment
expenses not covered by insurance. Heartworks will issue you a tax receipt and
thank you note for your donation.
So often we feel powerless when our loved ones face a serious illness. We feel
especially paralyzed when we hear of a young mother with small children whose
life is threatened by cancer. With this Fund, we have the power to make a
dramatic, tangible, healing difference for Marjorie and her family. Every gift
matters and every gift will go 100% to Marjorie.
To Make a Gift to Marjorie's Marathon, please write a check to Heartworks -
please be sure to write "For Marjorie's Marathon" in the memo section of your
check - and mail to:
Heartworks
Att: Marjorie's Marathon
19 Route 202
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
You can read more about Heartworks, a fantastic 501c3 charity, at
www.njheartworks.org.
We hope you'll join us in this marathon to help Marjorie, Matthew and their kids
Harrison and Justin, fight and beat this life-threatening diagnosis.
Marjorie wants us to convey that she feels incredibly blessed to have such
amazing friends, and is so happy to be back in touch with so many friends from
every period of her life. She has expressed that when she looks back on this
time, she will remember the support more than the struggle. It has been an
amazing journey and she looks forward to many, many years to come. Thanks again
to everyone for all of the love and support.
Happy New Year to all and thank you for your support,
Melanie and Chris Harris (her sisters)
melanie@... 773-251-2631
charris3@... 773-294-1979
Marjorie Harris Newman, Matthew, Harrison and Justin Newman
1250 Prairie Lawn Road
Glenview, IL 60026
Melanie Harris
A CareerEndeavors Company
Phone: 847.698.0814
Cell: 773.251.2631
Email: Melanie@...
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