BROKEN BOW—Life comes to a halt when a parent hears the words “your child has cancer.” Thousands of children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States each year and it takes an enormous amount of support for families to stay strong for their children during this time.
Chris and Heidi Carlsen’s daughter Aubree was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia on December 24, 2013. She finished treatment in February 2016 and today Aubree and her parents are working to support other families battling childhood cancer through the non-profit organization Aubree’s Angels.
A fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, November 9 at the Custer County Fairgrounds in Broken Bow (in the Shooting Sports Building–Building 18) with a silent auction at 5:30 p.m., free-will donation dinner at 7 p.m., and live entertainment by Borderline beginning at 9 p.m.
All proceeds raised will go to “provide families with meal assistance, fuel cost reimbursement, and other necessary articles that will help relieve some of the stress as they face these very difficult situations.”
Chris Carlsen said after reflecting on flying to Omaha with their daughter and the clothes they had on their backs, he and his wife Heidi realized that many families do not have time to pack the necessary items for an extended hospital stay. He says Aubree’s Angels is now trying to assist people who are supporting a child with cancer by giving gift certificates to the hospital cafeteria, fuel cards, food delivery, miscellaneous essentials such as tooth brushes, deodorants, etc.
“There is a need for something to help the families out and that is what we’re going to try to do,” Chris Carlsen said.
Aubree’s Angels also states “we know that the greatest necessity of all is God. Literature and other resources that will assist families in enduring the hardship of childhood cancer are included with every gift” to families.
Heidi added that while staying strong for children who are battling cancer, parents often do not have time to take care of themselves because nothing matters more than that child.
“Life just kind of stops. You don’t really pay attention to the outside world,” Heidi Carlsen said.
Multiple families in Custer County have been affected by the disease and the Carlsen family wants the community to stick together and support each other. Heidi said her family’s goal is to pay forward the kindness and blessings they received in the past and to try and bless as many other people as possible.
“Hopefully we can help take care of those people who are supporting those children because they have to be just as strong as those kiddos,” Heidi Carlsen said.
All are invited on Saturday evening and any silent auction or cash donations are appreciated to support Aubree’s Angels. Contact [email protected] with any questions, call Heidi at 308-940-2454, or call Courtney Kusek at 308-340-7294.
