Imagine suddenly losing everything at Christmas...
There were days when Cathy* wasn’t sure which pain was worse. Her own physical pain or the emotional pain
of having both her husband and two-year-old son sick with cancer... 
Heading into Christmas two years ago, life had been challenging enough for Cathy and her husband Marty, their three girls and youngest child, Jack.
Cathy was recovering from a spinal injury that initially left her unable to walk and do even simple things like picking up Jack. As she began improving, Marty injured his arm and had to take time off work on a minimal wage.
Then, after a routine blood test, Jack was diagnosed with cancer. He was airlifted with his mum to Sydney and started on chemotherapy for acute lympho-plastic leukaemia.
Jack was given only a 60% chance of surviving – a terrible burden for any parent to carry. And when it seemed to Cathy and Marty that things couldn’t possibly get any worse, somehow they did.
Back home, a massive flood devastated their house, destroying virtually all their belongings. Then Marty was diagnosed with skin cancer and ended up in another hospital far away from Cathy and Jack. This is when a kindly social worker decided it was time to call in the Salvos.
"I felt so horrible to start with when I went to see them," says Cathy – beginning to cry. "I’ve always worked... I used to deliver meals on wheels... I’ve worked for charity not taken it."
Returning home to try and deal with the damage from the flood, Cathy met Di, her local Salvos "angel". Hearing of their plight, Di arranged furniture, cutlery, and crockery – even a new bed for Jack.
Then when it looked like Marty’s cancer treatment might be delayed yet again because of a $1,500 gap payment, Di said, "Don’t cancel it – we’ll find the money."
"That was the biggest gift of all," says Cathy. "I mean how do you thank someone for caring so much?"
Just before last Christmas, and after 10 long months of treatment, Jack went into remission and finally came home from hospital. It was a bittersweet time for Cathy.
"I wanted to give him a big Christmas but I had nothing. I didn’t know what to do," recalls Cathy. "Then the doorbell rang and there was Di asking again how she could help. When the presents turned up for the kids...it was beautiful...so beautiful."
Cathy’s story is tragic. But what it does show is that you never know what’s around the corner in life – and when you might need the Salvos. As Cathy says, "There are a lot of people out there who need a hand UP more than a hand OUT."
With your generous support of The Salvation Army, especially at Christmas, we can make sure families like Cathy's are supported. So please, dig deep and help ensure the Salvos’ vital services continue to bring life and hope to the people who really need it. You can give online right now or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).
* This story is real but names have been changed to protect this family’s privacy. The photo featured is a stock image and does not depict anyone referenced in this story.