April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
DONNA CRANDALL MEMORIAL
Cystic fibrosis foundation helps patients, pays tribute
To honor that promise, a year later, the local Catholic family created the Donna M. Crandall Memorial Foundation to help those suffering from the disease, as well as their families.
"We were searching for a way to express our grief in a positive, constructive way," said Donna's husband, David. "What we did not realize at the time was that the foundation would also be a way to keep her present in the lives of our family's future generations."
Eleven years later, the foundation is still family-run and completely volunteer-based - and it has raised more than $1.2 million for those in need.
Those funds have provided significant financial assistance to local cystic fibrosis patients and their loved ones by paying for health-related costs, such as insurance premiums and medical equipment and co-pays; aiding patients who do not have enough for everyday expenses due to the rising cost of medical care; and paying for basics such as hospital parking for the family and gift cards to restaurants near the hospital.
Mrs. Cheney now runs the foundation with Mrs. Crandall's brothers and sisters. She explained that a social worker at the Cystic Fibrosis Center in Albany serves as their liaison, communicating patients' needs to the foundation. The foundation has funded everything from utility bills and rent to Christmas gifts and new coats.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited, chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems, causing the body to produce a mucus that clogs the lungs and pancreas, leading to lung infections and the inability to break down and absorb food.
Approximately 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. suffer from the disease, which requires frequent visits to a clinic - and sometimes multiple hospital visits each year.
To help patients and families through these visits, the foundation provides gift bags for cystic fibrosis patients in the hospital, who can often spend weeks at a time in treatment. The gift bags have everything from Kindles to portable DVD players and DVDs, games, magazines, toiletries and snacks - including Mike and Ike candies, Mrs. Crandall's favorite.
Nine years ago, Dawn McGuinness was in the hospital for cystic fibrosis treatment when she received a gift bag. Among the trinkets and necessities was a card that told the story of Donna Crandall and how the foundation came to be.
"It had everything you need or would like to have to make your experience that much easier in the hospital," said Mrs. McGuinness, also a Catholic. "The thought that a complete stranger cared enough to put a bag together meant so much."
Mrs. McGuinness contacted the foundation to thank the family and has been volunteering for them ever since.
One of the foundation's main fundraisers is its annual "Emerald Eve." The night includes a cocktail hour, silent and live auctions, an award ceremony and a video spotlighting local cystic fibrosis patients.
In 2000, the first such gathering was held in Mrs. Cheney's living room with a handful of friends and family. This year's benefit was held at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs; it drew more than 350 guests and raised its highest profit yet, $133,000.
For the Crandall family, the foundation has also succeeded in keeping the memory of Donna Crandall alive. Mrs. Cheney told The Evangelist that this year was the first time two of Donna's nephews could attend the event: Ten-year-olds Jack Cheney and Ben Crandall dressed up with the rest of their cousins and spent the evening celebrating an aunt they had never met.
"Even though they did not know her, they feel like they do," said Mrs. Cheney. They know Mrs. Crandall's life story; they know of her great love for her family and the faith that gave her peace and strength. She attended Mass every Sunday, despite her illness.
"Her great faith was an example for us," said Mrs. Cheney, "and now we have the great fortune to meet these amazing patients and the privilege to know what they're going through and helping them through it."[[In-content Ad]]
250 X 250 AD
250 X 250 AD
Events
250 X 250 AD
Comments:
You must login to comment.