Derek’s Story

Derek and his family moved to a new city in January 2022 shortly after his wife had suffered a stroke. The hope and excitement of this new life; however, quickly fell apart when Derek was diagnosed with cancer a few months later. Derek’s wife Laura described him as “an old-fashioned gentleman.” Having been ridiculed as a child for his stutter, Derek grew to be a man with a kind soul, honest and loyal, calm and patient. Laura said, “He was the water to my fire.” 

When the tragedy of terminal illness struck their young family, money was immediately a concern. Laura was a full-time mom to the boys, and Derek lost his job when he couldn’t work. Extended family provided some assistance with bills, and people donated to the family through a Go Fund Me, but the money went quickly. When Derek’s social worker introduced them to Project 4031, the family needed food. We were able to pay a utility bill and send the family a grocery gift card. Laura told us, “Project 4031 literally put food on the table. Food that I was able to pick and shop for.” This funding helped the family during “the hard, dark time” by keeping the family fed in Derek’s last weeks of life. Your contributions to Project 4031 are truly making a difference for people like Derek and his family