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B+ (Be Positive) is not just 10-year-old Cameron Marshall’s blood type. It is his, and his family’s, motto. When Cam was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2008 and learned about his blood type, he latched on to it as a mantra for hope in fighting his cancer. But it didn’t take long for the Marshall family to realize they were not alone in this fight. Rather than focus inward on their own struggle, they chose to focus on other families going through similar health challenges. They founded and started funding B+ for CHaD Kids, to help other families receiving care at the Children’s Hospital at Darmouth (CHaD). They rallied first the Lyme, New Hampshire, community, and then more and more people behind their cause, which has now raised over $175,000 to help families deal with the challenges of a child’s long-term hospitalization.
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The Marshalls personal challenges go far beyond Cam’s fight. Seven years ago, parents Jay and Elena thought they had bought the perfect home: a home they could live in forever that would easily expand as their family grew. But before they had a chance to build their first addition, an onslaught of problems—from carbon monoxide leaks to mold and rotting wood—brought their dreams for their home to a halt. Before they could begin tackling the growing list of problems with their home, they found they needed to focus their attention and resources on Cameron. Combined with their home’s structural issues, a contaminated well meant the Marshalls had to deal with the fear of having to leave their home due to the dangers it presented to Cameron’s recovery.
“This is a family who, despite their own personal struggles, has been an inspiration for an entire community, and has continued to set an amazing example for others every day,” said Trumbull-Nelson Vice President Ron Bauer. “We couldn’t be more honored than to have the opportunity to lead this project for them.” |
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