O Fallon Nonprofits and Charities

Years ago I lost my dad and brother to brain tumors. It was a pretty devastating time and we began to wonder if cancer was hereditary. When my daughter was 3, she developed a rare adrenal tumor and a sarcoma, I searched for someone who understood. Through Facebook, I connected with others who understood what it was like, who gave their time to help me get through some tough times. We learned that we had a hereditary cancer syndrome called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome(LFS). It is rare and affects people all over the world. Most families never meet another family with LFS. Living LFS works to change that. There is a support group online where we can connect and relate to each other and help each other through many rare cancers, multiple cancers and the stress of waiting for cancer. So many times I wonder how I can help and then someone in the group inspires me to give and find other ways we can help. I've learned that by giving, it inspires others to give- just as when others give I am inspired to give. Recently Living LFS started a T-shirt Fundraiser to raise awareness for LFS and funds for support group meetings. A friend of someone with LFS contacted me and offered to buy a shirt for someone in the group who might not otherwise be able to afford one- not only supporting someone with LFS but donating to Living LFS in the process. Double Giving. This inspired me to do the same. And others are doing it as well. In a community where funds are strapped due to the expense of living with cancer, this simple gesture means so much. It raises awareness of a rare syndrome and offers us a sense of community- a community of giving. I support giving and Living LFS.