Our second family caregiver we can help is Jane. She cares for her 16-year-old daughter, Nicole, who was diagnosed in January 2010 with a congenital heart defect, pulmonary hypertension, and Eisenmenger syndrome. She was also diagnosed in February of this year with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Our goal is to raise $500 to help Jane; you can help with your donation of $5. (If you want to give more, we’ll take more.)

I’ve asked Jane to share her three top challenges; they are (in her words):

1. Money is tight because my husband was laid off from his job of 25 years two months after Nicole’s diagnosis. He is now working but only makes half what he did.
2. I have been a stay at home mom since Nicole was born and don’t feel at this time I should work because my daughter requires my care.
3. We will lose our COBRA in November and we can’t let it lapse especially for Nicole.

I also asked Jane how the money will help:

The money could help pay a bill or something and I would feel guilty if I don’t use it for that. However, I believe about a month or so ago that God but it on my heart to get a pharmacy technician degree. I would have to do this totally online and I don’t want to go through a regular university. I looked into three different places Penn Foster; US Career Institute and NPTA (National Pharmacy Technician Association). I felt that the NPTA would be the best as it has a more extensive curriculum, however, it is the most expensive but it also includes an externship. The Penn Foster course was running a special of $100 off and it was $498 (don’t know if the special is still good). I wasn’t sure if this was something that God really wanted me to do because I knew we can’t afford it and I could really find no grants or anything. I truly believe that even if I don’t pursue it as a career it will be beneficial in some way for Nicole. I just feel it will help her. If I was to get this then I would love to use it for this (if I can get over the guilt).

After Jane receives her $500, she’ll share how she used it and its impact on CareGifters.org and Your Caregiving Journey talk show.

You can donate below. CareGifters is operated through The Center for Family Caregivers, a charitable organization. We use PayPal to process your donation. (Please note: The Center for Family Caregivers does not currently have tax exempt status with the IRS so donations are not tax deductible.)

And, if you are a family caregiver in need and would like to be considered in the future to receive CareGifters funds, fill out the application here.