Some caregivers say they find strength they never knew they had. At just five weeks old, Amber’s daughter Aubree was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that forms in the retina. Cancer, a word no parent ever expects to hear, let alone when their baby is still learning to open her eyes to the world. 

Now a bright and bubbly one-and-a-half-year-old, Aubree has become the true sunshine of her family; sweet, smart, gentle, and braver than anyone her age should ever have to be. Every three to four weeks, Amber and her husband, Nathan, pack up the car in Orlando and make the 263-mile drive to Miami, where Aubree receives laser treatments to keep her eye tumors under control. It’s a journey they know all too well as Amber herself survived Retinoblastoma as a baby. 

“As she gets older, it gets harder,” Amber says. “She’s more aware now—she knows when something scary is coming. Watching her be afraid… it’s torture.”

The Invisible Weight Caregivers Carry

For many families, the medical battle is only one layer of the struggle. Amber stays home full-time caring for Aubree, while her husband is the sole income provider. Every monthly trip means two missed days of unpaid work, hotel stays, long drives, and the emotional hangover that follows every appointment: waiting, hoping, bracing for either good news or bad.

“It’s mentally draining thinking about the diagnosis,” Amber explains. “But it’s also emotionally draining waiting every month to find out if things are stable. And physically? Traveling that far with a one-year-old absolutely wears you out.”

The Helpers Along the Way

Support often comes in small but meaningful ways. The family learned about caregiver resources through their pediatric social worker, Karla Roman, who connected them to organizations that might help with travel or expenses, which led them to the Cocktails & Caregivers Foundation’s Keeping Caregivers Close Grant. 

 “We appreciate any kind of help so much,” Amber says. And she means it. For a family already stretched thin, even a little relief can feel like a deep breath after months of holding it in.

Amber’s journey with little Aubree is a testament to a mother’s courage, a family’s resilience, and the hope that carries us through even the hardest months. And through it all, Aubree keeps shining, her giggles, her sweetness, her spirit lighting the way forward.

Because sometimes the smallest warriors carry the biggest light.

Supporting Our Caregivers

A huge thank you to our generous sponsor, Round Room Gives, and to our amazing C&C community! You showed up in a big way, and because of you, we can continue supporting more families like the Turner family.

Learn more about how you can support the mission at cocktailsandcaregivers.org.