Spring 2021 Newsletter

25-year-old from Texas Seeks Life-Saving Treatment in Indy

 

Cancer was the last thing on the mind of this 25-year-old from San Antonio, Texas. Healthy and active, Jason Serchay enjoyed running marathons and stayed busy while pursuing a graduate degree in cybersecurity. It was just over a year ago when he and a friend were on a trip to Colorado and Jason became uncharacteristically exhausted just one mile into a hike. Not long after that, Jason discovered swelling in his testicles and went to his physician. An ultrasound showed that Jason had stage 3 testicular cancer.  READ MORE Continue reading Spring 2021 Newsletter

A Refuge in the Storm

Cancer was the last thing on the mind of this 25-year-old from San Antonio, Texas.

Healthy and active, Jason Serchay enjoyed running marathons and stayed busy while pursuing a graduate degree in cybersecurity. It was just over a year ago when he and a friend were on a trip to Colorado and Jason became uncharacteristically exhausted just one mile into a hike. Not long after that, Jason discovered swelling in his testicles and went to his physician. An ultrasound showed that Jason had stage 3 testicular cancer. “I was in shock,” Jason described. The life he knew suddenly came to a halt. Jason had three surgeries within the following week, and then started three rounds of intensive chemotherapy at a hospital near his home in San Antonio.

The wonderful support of his family and friends helped him get through many difficult months and complete his treatments. Finally, Jason’s life began to return to normal. He went back to school and even began to grow hair again. But his remission was short-lived. Just two months later, scans showed cancer again and chemotherapy was restarted immediately. Jason’s oncologist decided to consult Indiana University’s Dr. Lawrence Einhorn, considered the world’s leading expert in testicular cancer. A short time later, while sitting at the hospital during a chemotherapy infusion, Jason received a phone call from Dr. Einhorn himself. “I didn’t know who it was and almost didn’t pick up the phone,” Jason said. “Dr. Einhorn talked with me about my case for 30 minutes. He encouraged me to come to Indianapolis.” But that decision wasn’t easy.

Being 1,100 miles from home for almost two months, as his treatment would require, presented numerous challenges. Jason and his family weighed the pro’s and con’s. Finally, one day, while waiting at a stoplight, Jason closed his eyes and asked God for the guidance he needed. When he looked up, right in front of him was a car with an Indiana University license plate. It was the sign he needed. “I had the mindset of a fighter,” Jason shared. “I was determined to do what I had to do.”

Getting ready for the trip was more overwhelming for Jason’s mom, Mary, a registered nurse, who struggled to make travel arrangements and take time off work. But once again God showed them that He was there when, just two days before their flight to Indianapolis, they found out that an apartment at Fair Haven would be ready for them when they arrived. “We came here alone, but Fair Haven made us feel like part of a family,” Jason shared. “The cozy apartment was so welcoming and comfortable and clean. It made me feel good. I felt God there.” The apartment would be a refuge for Mary and Jason during weeks of high-dose chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants.

While lying in his hospital bed one day as his treatments neared an end, Jason decided that he wanted to use his experience to benefit others. He realized that he could make a difference for other young men like himself. “Before the diagnosis, I felt invincible,” Jason said. “I think that’s how a lot of guys feel.” But Jason wants to increase awareness about testicular cancer so that it can be detected early. “There is a 99% cure rate for those diagnosed in Stage 1,” Jason explained.

“I want to plant seeds and spark people to take action. If I make a difference for just one person, it will be worth it.”

Jason and his mom recently returned home to San Antonio, but they’ll never forget their time in Indianapolis and their home-away-from-home at Fair Haven. “Fair Haven to me means family,” Jason shared. “I felt like you had our backs.” We’re so grateful for the bond we share with this special family, and we can’t wait to see what God has in store for Jason!

 

 

 

#GivingTuesday 2020

December 1st is #GivingTuesday – a global day of generosity meant to unleash the power of people and organizations to transform their communities. With over 4 million #GivingTuesday gifts made around the world in 2019, this is a day of extraordinary impact. Fair Haven is proud to be part of this celebration of giving and would love for you to join us!

Kick-off the most celebrated month of the year with a gift of any amount! GIVE NOW.

Your support on #GivingTuesday will bring hope when it’s needed most for families battling a serious illness. Patients travel from around the country and across the globe to receive critical medical care at world-renowned hospitals in the downtown Indianapolis medical center. Since 2007, your generosity has made it possible for 1,122 families to find a home at Fair Haven and be together during their fight for life. More than ever, your support is needed so families can continue to find a refuge in the storm at Fair Haven.

Because of generous supporters like you, families like Edgar’s found help when they needed it most. 

Edgar never could have imagined what 2020 would bring for him and his family. Just a year ago, he was a carefree 21-year-old working in landscaping with his father and enjoying family gatherings, outings with friends, and video games. But all of that came to a halt last December when Edgar was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. His world was turned upside down with the devastating news. Edgar and his family spent the next eight months far from home and courageously fighting the battle of his life.

Stay tuned in throughout the month of December to hear how God’s unfailing love met Edgar and his entire family in their deepest moment of need. Follow along with Edgar’s story here.

Church Group Brings the Mission to Life

Fair Haven’s mission of sharing Christ’s love truly comes to life through a small group of volunteers from St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Since adopting an apartment in 2013, this special group has served each family staying there as they journey through the challenges of a serious illness. The group’s leader, Kathy Lindsey, was first introduced to Fair Haven when Executive Director Amanda Milner made a presentation at the church to the Stephen’s Ministry group. Immediately, Kathy knew she had to get involved.

Kathy organized a small group of fellow Stephen’s Ministers and empowered them to serve the guests of apartment #124 through prayer and acts of loving service. The group helps guests by providing rides to the grocery store, delivering home-cooked meals, and by offering a listening ear during tough times. As they share each family’s journey, these volunteers have grieved with guests in their pain and celebrated their joys and victories.  Often, they form bonds with families that last long after they return home.

As a guest at apartment #124, Jill Phillabaum experienced the group’s wonderful loving care while she recovered following a liver transplant. Volunteers frequently offered to run errands, deliver food, and provide rides to appointments, but the biggest blessing Jill received was their emotional support. Though Jill had outstanding support from family and friends, the journey of healing after an organ transplant can be long and arduous. Having a broad network of support can make a tremendous difference.

Jill treasures two special gifts of encouragement she received from the group, a prayer shawl and a hand-welded cross. They were a great source of comfort during that time.  Jill shared, “These provided a constant reminder to stay focused on God and not my circumstances. They were also a reminder of all those praying for me when I was tempted to feel alone.”

 

 

Jill’s life is one of many that have been touched by this special group of volunteers. They are a wonderful example of the incredible impact church groups can have simply by sharing Christ’s love.

Learn more about how your church can serve the families at Fair Haven. Both one-time service projects and ongoing service opportunities are available. 

 

Jill and her friends Louise and Lori are shown here visiting Eagle Creek Park. Group co-leader Steve Briggs encouraged Jill to visit the park as she began preparing her body to travel home.  Jill shared the visit “was a step towards feeling normal again.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Light in the Window – Fall 2020

Keeping Families Together

Soon after learning she was pregnant, Shayla quickly realized that her second pregnancy would be vastly different than her first. Plagued with extreme nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, Shayla could no longer go to work or even perform normal daily activities. Eventually, Shayla was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and hyperemesis gravidarum, and doctors became concerned about the health of her unborn baby. After being rushed by ambulance six times from her home in Bedford to Methodist Hospital, Shayla was told that she would need to stay in the hospital in Indianapolis until her baby arrived.

Because of COVID restrictions, being hospitalized meant that Shayla would not be able to see her three-year old son Eddie for more than three months. Shayla couldn’t imagine not seeing her son for so long, yet being in Indianapolis was critical for her and for her unborn baby. That is when a hospital social worker told her about Fair Haven.

“Fair Haven has been a huge blessing,” Shayla told us. Shayla explained that she has continued to experience some scary complications, but being so close to the hospital has allowed her to get the medical care she has needed in just minutes. Despite the difficult circumstances, Shayla is so thankful to be able to enjoy everyday life with her son Eddie. Their home-away-from-home at Fair Haven has given them both a sense of normalcy in the midst of a turbulent time. It has made such a difference for them to know that they are not alone. “Thank you so much for everything you have done for our family,” Shayla shared. “It has meant more than you know.”

 

 

Touching More Lives at Ada’s Place

With a long waiting list of families in need, Fair Haven is excited to announce plans for Ada’s Place, a new downtown facility that will provide lodging and support for hundreds of additional families each year. We are making excellent progress on a $2.9M campaign to renovate this downtown building into a beautiful hospitality facility. Contact us for a tour today! LOOK FOR EXCITING UPDATES IN 2021!

Church Groups Brings the Mission to Life

Fair Haven’s mission of sharing Christ’s love truly comes to life through a small group of volunteers from St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Since adopting an apartment… MORE.