We Care in Anthem

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Amber 'Nickole' McCulley - January 2004

It's never easy to see anyone suffering from Cancer, but it's more difficult when children must handle the disease. Fourteen year-old Amber 'Nickole' McCulley, daughter of long-time New River residents Johnny and Laura McCulley and student at Gavilan Peak Elementary, has endured a particularly tough time, having been diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma in her throat. At one point, the mass was so large that Amber could not eat and had difficulty breathing. As a result she had to have a tracheostomy and a feeding tube installed so that she could breathe and get the necessary nutrition to help her combat the sickness. Her first stay in the hospital was for 3 weeks during the middle of November and into the first part of December.

Sometimes illness alternates good news with bad. For Amber's Dad, Johnny McCulley, the bad news is that he has been out of work for 5 months and is ill-prepared to handle the medical bills about to descend on the family. The good news is that, since he does not have a full-time job, he is able to be with his daughter for extended stays at the Desert Samaritan hospital, 50 miles away. "She really wants me to be there with her," he says.

Amber's step mom, Cindy, has been helping as well, but the bad news hit her in December when she lost her job - the one that pays for Amber's insurance. Her father and step mother are searching for a new form of insurance for Amber's bills, as well as a way to pay the rest of the family bills during this difficult time.

At press-time, Amber was in the hospital for another round of chemotherapy, with a total of 5 drugs which tear apart the good and bad in her body. "She's doing pretty well," her Dad says. "The worst part for her is that she's losing her hair." That's a tough thing for a teenager, but again there is the good news - the tumor in her throat is shrinking and she has been able to start eating some things and be home between treatments.

We Care in Anthem sponsored three events - We Care in Anthem Comedy Night at the Anthem Community Center on Friday February 27 featuring America's Hottest Hypnotist Bob Faith, Comedy night at Franco's Ristorante on January 17 th , and We Care in Anthem Bunco Charity and Silent Auction Event on Friday January 30 th . A portion of the proceeds go to Amber's medical expenses. We Care in Anthem has also set up a checking account for Amber's medical bills at Wells Fargo Bank. For more information please see the We Care in Anthem page in ImagesAZ sponsored by Cold Stone Creamery.

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