On March 16, 2020, two-year-old Caisyn checked into Cincinnati Children’s so that doctors could save his life. Caisyn has stage 4 neuroblastoma. He started several rounds of high-powered chemotherapy to prepare his body for a bone marrow rescue. The chemotherapy would effectively kill his immune system, leaving him extremely vulnerable to even the mildest of germs. The coronavirus seemed to be a world away from the battles Caisyn was fighting, yet it is such a danger given what it could do to him if he catches it.

Caisyn’s own bone marrow was transferred back to his body on March 24, 2020. Over the following weeks, Caisyn struggled with side effects, good days and bad days, his young mind not really understanding all that he was going through. His parents, Brittany and Chris, were excited to see him slowly get stronger, but worried about how to keep him safe outside the hospital walls.

On April 15, after 74 days in the hospital, Caisyn was released and moved to a room in our House. His family had been staying in our House since December of 2019. Here, his room is filled with toys and his parents rest easy knowing that everything they need is right here: delicious meals, laundry, movies and games and support whenever they need it. They don’t have to leave our House to go to the store, risking exposing themselves to any germs. Brittany says,

“You have no idea how much of a burden you take away from the families here. Without you, our journey would be a lot more difficult and stressful. We are so very thankful for this House.”

As the world faces many unknowns in the months ahead, our mission will not change: to keep families together and near the care they need. And to do that, we need your help:

Right now, our House is the safest place for dozens of families who must be far from their own homes so they can get the care their children need. We strive to keep our House stocked with anything a family may need to live with us. By shopping our wish list, you can ensure our guest families have what they need. Items will be shipped directly to our House.

Our Taste of Hope meal program provides our guests with healthy, delicious meals. During this time, the volunteer groups that we normally rely on to help prepare the meals cannot come to our House, but we are still committed to providing food for our families. To help support this program, click here.

We are grateful for the love and support of our community and humbled by the strength of our guest families.