Meet Alex

If medals were given for trips to the hospital, Alex would have a chest full of shining brass. This thoughtful eight year old has had more than 10 surgeries on his eyes, ears, facial nerves and heart to tackle his congenital facial paralysis and cardiac problems. When his single mother, who adopted Alex and two other children, had to stop working full-time to care for Alex, the bills piled up fast. Family stepped in to help, but their funds only lasted so long. Alex’s mom was in despair, and when ASRL heard her story, they helped immediately. ASRL paid the overdue rent, propane bill, telephone bill and car payment so that Alex could get to the hospital and the family could keep their home. For her birthday, Alex wrote her a card, “I love that you stick to me like glue when I am sick.”

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The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation (a 501(c)(3) public charity) provides emergency assistance within 24 hours to single caregivers of children with catastrophic or life threatening illnesses who are in financial crises. Working in partnership with 12 pediatric hospitals nationally, we have helped over 7,000 family members in the past nine years. Without ASRL’s support, many children with life threatening illnesses would be facing pain, treatments, fear, and at times, even their death, without a parent by their side.