A Love Story - Hershey, Pennsylvania
Little Sean was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia just two weeks after his third birthday. After chemotherapy failed and Sean's condition worsened, he underwent a stem cell transplant that proved successful. His family found it necessary to move from their home in Reading, Pennsylvania, to Hershey, where they would be within 30 minutes of the medical facility that would be providing his ongoing treatment and care.
Love INC of Greater Hershey received a call from a social worker at the medical center asking if they could find volunteers to provide weekly rides to the facility for Sean and his mother. Quick responses to the request came from three different churches, supplying more than enough volunteers to provide the necessary transportation.
But Sean's family received much more than the rides back and forth each week. Love INC volunteers also organized and provided hot meals for the family, child care for Sean's siblings, and housecleaning. They surrounded Sean, his parents, and his siblings with love. Sean's mother is amazed at this outpouring of care and concern from strangers. It relieves so much of the burden she carries as she spends every day at the hospital with Sean during his follow-up treatment, and as she works hard to care for his extra needs and the needs of her family.
Recently, a swing set was given to Love INC of Greater Hershey to pass on to a child in need. When Love INC called Sean's mother to ask if he might like the swing set, she was surprised by the call. "You're not going to believe this," she said. "Sean's birthday is this Saturday. We are having a party, but do not have money for gifts. All Sean has been asking for is a swing set." Once again, Love INC volunteers gathered to bless Sean and his family by delivering and assembling the swing set on Friday night, just in time for the party.