Standing By a Friend in Need–When Giving is All You Can Do

“When the night has come

and the land is dark

And the moon is the only light we’ll see

No, I won’t be afraid, oh, I won’t be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me…”

Stand by Me was our senior class song for our close-knit group that went out into ‘the real world’ back in 1987, and the words couldn’t ring more true 20-plus years later, as we hear about the fight our friend, Max Henry, faces today.

Max has brain cancer, a very aggressive form of glioblastoma.  The five-year survival rate is 7%.

I remember Max as one of the popular guys, always up for a good prank and some crazy fun on a Friday night hanging out at Round Island, or cruising through South Beach.

Reconnecting with him on Facebook many years later, I was happily surprised to see that he had settled down with a gal from our hometown, Amy Atkinson, who was also a childhood friend, one year younger.

They have shared the last two decades building a family.  They now have five children, the oldest two of which look identical to how I remember both Max and Amy back in their high school days, the youngest two barely beyond the toddler years.

His Facebook page is often filled with the familiar phrase, “Hope all is good.”  Well, for them, it’s not so good right now.  Or not as good as it should be.

Max worked hard for his family, taking care of them physically and financially.  Now, Amy has had to return to work to help cover things, on top of being there for Max and the kids.

I’m sharing their story with hopes that you might be able to help this amazing family.  Friends have created a special account for people to send contributions.

Maybe you don’t know Max.  But it’s easy enough to put yourself in his shoes, right?  After all, this was something he didn’t even know he had until very recently.  It came on fast and surgery was a priority.  Now, he’s going through radiation and chemo treatments.  They have high out-of-pocket medical expenses and large deductibles to meet.

We don’t want them to have to think about something like money right now.  We want them concentrating on getting better and fighting this horrendous disease.  They’re far from our tight-knit little hometown, living now in Colorado.  We can’t do much to help these days, other than offer some financial support and prayers.

If you can, please donate to their site.  Here’s the link to the account: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/-hope-all-is-good-/73331

If you don’t have the extra money to spare, please send up a prayer for this wonderful family.

We want the Henry’s to know they are not alone, and that we are standing by them in this time of darkness.