What if $2,000 meant you could complete school, earn your degree and fulfill one of your husband’s last wishes? It sounds like a plot from a movie. For Brandy Kelley, it’s her real life.

One Semester to Go. One Sick Husband.

For the last two years, Brandy Kelley’s husband has been the sole income provider for their family. They decided to allow Brandy to return to school and earn her degree in Child Therapy (she maintains a 4.0 GPA and is a member of two Honor’s societies! Go, Brandy!). With one semester left, they received the news no family could imagine. Brandy’s husband was diagnosed with Metastatic Neuroendocrine. Brandy says, “it’s a very aggressive, often treatment-resistant, fast-spreading cancer.” At every turn, more bad news pops up, the cancer is growing, the cancer is spreading, and treatment options are becoming fewer and fewer.

Brandy Applies for an #OurTribe Grant

As any mother would, Brandy was scouring the internet for any way she could get her family through the unimaginable and possibly alleviate some of the bills that an unexpected medical diagnosis produces. Through a local Facebook group, she was directed to Cocktails & Caregivers. Unsure if she fit the bill for a grant typically used for child care or school for children, she applied anyway. Her application caught our eye because we FELT her emotion instantly.  She said,  “The number of emotions that come with this post is countless. Embarrassed, ashamed, scared, sad, lost, hopeless, and yet, still determined.”

Refusing to Let Her Quit

We chatted with Brandy to see how we could help, and she repeatedly told us that her husband refused to let her quit school to take care of him. With a heartbreak emoji, she writes, “He wants me to get my career going so that I can care for our kids better when he is gone.” Although it’s not our typical grant, we proudly support Brandy’s endeavors! Cocktails & Caregivers is providing a $2,000 donation to allow Brandy to complete her final semester of school and give her husband and kids peace of mind.