Act of Kindness Brings Joy to Minnesota Family Fighting Cancer

A few months ago, I sat at a table at Cafe Steam in Rochester, Minnesota across from an amazing individual.  BTW - I always say "yes" to coffee meetings.  It's actually how I got this job.  Now, I use coffee meetings to meet new people in our town and it is a highlight of my job.  If you and I meet up, just know that I don't normally cry when I sit at Cafe Steam or Caribou Coffee.  This coffee meet-up hit my soul though and I just couldn't help it.  The tears showed up.

Meet Amber: Minnesota Mom of a 3-year-old Diagnosed With Leukemia Who Fought For Her Life

Raising kids is hard enough.  Throw in twins and most of us say things like, "I don't know how you did that!". Not only did Amber, a mom in Rochester, Minnesota have twins but she had 4 kids total.  As her plate is already full, one of her twins received the heartbreaking diagnosis of leukemia when she was just 3.

How do you even handle that?  Truthfully, you can't do this alone, especially with other kids at home.  Thankfully, a group in town called Red Drop Resources was there to help Amber and her family.  Here's her story:

A single act of kindness can change someone’s life forever. This is what happened to Red Drop Resources founder Kristina Wright-Peterson. As a child of just nine years old she lost her father very abruptly to Leukemia – that first Christmas her teachers pooled their money to make her holiday one to remember.

 

Fast forward 15 years later and Travis Donze, a patient battling blood cancer helped purchase gifts for families at the hospital with him.

 

Four years after that, my own family received gifts that we would have otherwise not been able to afford while my three-year-old was fighting for her life battling leukemia, thanks to the original domino being tipped in this wonderful game of kindness. During our darkest time we were gifted not only material goods but a sense of peace and familiarity in all of the confusion and worry. For a day we were just a family again, cancer was not what we focused on.

 

Those sparks of joy in a time of trauma were all because of a single act of kindness.  Today, the mission continues through Red Drop Resources.  Families just like Ambers are able to receive support thanks to the Red Drop Resources program called Winter Celebrations, a fun event that helps provide gifts and experiences to families around the holidays.

The number of individuals needing support is rising.  In 2022, Red Drop Resources served over 30 individuals and they are anticipating that number will double in 2024.

Red Drop Resources is a non-profit organization with a mission to support the non-medical needs of patients battling blood cancers. Patients with blood cancer often have very long treatment regimens and are faced with living in Rochester for months. We strive to make their stay here more comfortable and less stressful. We provide financial assistance, lodging at a home on Center Street and other services as they are requested: We don't tell patients what we help with, we ask them what they need help with. Annually we serve over 40 patients and families, some are local residents while others are traveling to our community for treatment and evaluation. - Red Drop Resources

Everything You Need to Know About the Winter Celebrations Event for Red Drop Resources in Rochester, Minnesota

Families like Amber are in our town every single day.  You don't have to walk too far to see license plates from out of state or people with a sticker on their shirt saying the day of the week or "visitor".  Rochester is the place where people come when they are at their worst and need help from the experts at Mayo Clinic.  Thankfully, Red Drop Resources is here to help fill in some of those gaps of support that individuals need while they are here.  The Winter Celebration called Blizzard Bash helps make that support possible.

We are excited to gather on Saturday, December 2nd at the Rochester Hilton in the beautiful space provided by J. Powers. We are also VERY excited to have casino tables back, provided by All in Casino! There will be live music, live and silent auction items and so much more!

 

As more and more patients continue to ask for assistance when receiving treatment in Rochester for blood cancers, your support ensures that we will be here to meet their requests! - Red Drop Resources

Grab tickets now and show your support for families just like Ambers.  Learn more and find ticket info at the Red Drop Resources website here.

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