Maloney Family

Here is a letter from a recent family we helped! Check out the website djdfighton.org under the families helped section for pictures of the family!

My name is Tiffany Maloney. I am 28 years old. I am the Mother of two beautiful little girls. Bryley is 7 years old. Chloe is 3 years old. I was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).
I have worked in healthcare since I was 18 years old. I started out as a certified nursing assistant in long term care. After the birth of my second child I knew that I was going to have to further my education in order to give my Girls the life that they deserved. I started a Practical Nursing Program in July 2007. It is an accelerated nursing program designed to give you your diploma in 1 year’s time. I was unable to work since all of my time was dedicated to my studies and my children. We managed to get by with the help of family and government assistance. After the first six months of school, I took my student loan rebate and moved my family into an apartment of our own. I paid for 6 months rent in advance so that we could live comfortably until school was finished. During this time, I also reconciled with my oldest daughter’s father. We were a family again, and everything seemed to be coming together.
In February 2009, I was able to buy my own home, with the help of the USDA Rural Development Program. I was able to give my Girls their own bedrooms and a fenced in yard for them to play in. I also got engaged and was planning a wedding in April 2010. It seemed as if everything was just the way I wanted it. All of the hard work was paying off. And I was getting ahead in life, for once.
All of that came to a crashing halt, just before Christmas. I had been sick off and on since Thanksgiving. The doctors kept treating me for sore throats and ear aches and sinus infections, but I never got well. I was tired all the time. I worked 2nd shift, and I was falling asleep driving home. I knew something was wrong but my doctors were only treating my symptoms. After spending 3 days in bed with a fever of 103, I decided to go to the emergency room. I thought I was dehydrated and would get some fluids and be released. Instead I was informed that I may have some type of Cancer and that I was being admitted to the ICU. I couldn’t even tell my family because I didn’t believe it myself. I just lay there and thought about the words that came out of the doctor’s mouth. Was he serious?
The next day, I was transported to Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute. My Nurse informed me that I had Leukemia. I was very confused and scared. I felt like I was not in control of my life anymore. Everything that I had learned in nursing school had left me. My mind was blank. I was angry because I didn’t feel like I was being given enough information. And, I couldn’t help but think about Christmas which was just a week away.
I decided to take part in a Clinical Research Study for ALL. I figured, if I have to have Cancer, something good may as well come of it. I may be able to help others in the future by taking part now. I started chemotherapy on December 23, 2009. I was released from the hospital on Christmas Eve, and I was able to be home for Christmas with my family, which was great.
After the first few treatments, I became very weak and suffered from debilitating headaches. I was not able to take care of my children or myself, for that matter. I stayed in bed for about 6 weeks; because that is the only way I could get any relief from the pain. During that time, I was contacted by Mindy Dull, of the Fight On Foundation. She told me all about Derek, and the Foundation’s work. I explained to Mindy that (at that time) we were doing okay financially, but that I knew the money would not last forever. She suggested that I send the Foundation a list of our monthly bills. Fight On provided my family with enough money to cover at least 2 months of bills. I held on to it until just recently, when we finally had to use it. It was very comforting to know that we had the money if we needed it. I did not have to worry about my finances. I was able to concentrate on my family and my health, which is exactly what Fight On strives for. I am so grateful for what they have done for my family.
I was inspired my Mindy’s strength. I told her that I wanted to be able to give back one day, and she said, “When you’re well, you’ll be able to”. I went into remission after the first course of treatment, and I started to feel so much better. I began concentrating on how I could make a difference. I have started a fundraising association called Tiger Lily Charities which hosts events to raise money for Leukemia patients. It gives me something to look forward to everyday. It’s in my nature to help others, and it makes me feel better when I can. It’s the best medicine for me!
Thank you Fight On. Thank you Mindy. You’re wonderful people!
With love,
Tiffany Maloney

Howell Family and Golf Tourney

The foundation was happy to help the Howell family recently. The DJD Fight On foundation was able to help Vicki and her two grandchildren. Check out the website for pictures of Vicki and her family! Here is a letter Vicki wrote to the DJD foundation and all the supporters of the foundation:

My name is Vicki and I would liek everyone to know how your foundation helped me. I am 49 years old and an 8 year breast cancer survivor. I'm currently going through a divorce, raising my two grandchildren ( 10 months and 21 months). In October 2009, I came down with pneumonia, and in January 2010 was diagnosed with lung cancer. I have missed a lot of work and used up all of my sick days, and then found out I needed surgery and they would do chemo. What was I gonna do. no money coming in, two grandchildren to raise, and I felt all alone. One evening I got a phone call and it was Mindy Dull of the foundationand she heard about me and wanted to do anything to help me. She talked with me all about the foundation and who it helps and ways that it helps. I explained to her that I was not a charity case and she talked to me in a way that made me realize that I just needed the guidance of the foundation to get me through all the terrible times. The foundation has offered to help me pay my bills, so I can actually go through my treatments without the worrying. Thanks to Mindy and her foundation, it's liek an angel has been sent to watch over us. So much of the pressure on me has been lifted off my shoulders. Someday when all is well with me, and I can get back on my feet, I will be able to give a donation to the foundation. There are many people out in this world that need the foundation as much as I did. Again, thank all of you angels in the foundation for your help, understanding, and support.

* Thanks to everyone who makes all of this possible. The DJD Fight On Foundation could not do this without all of you. We truly appreciate your continued support, so that we can keep Derrick's dream alive and continue to help these well- deserving families.

* Please check the website- djdfighton.org for information on signing up for the golf tournament. The forms are on the homepage for downloading and mailing back in! Anyone interested in helping out or donating an item for the silent auction please email us at fightondjd@gmail.com Thank you all so much again for making this possible!