With the help of those who donate, we directly support families who are unable to care for their sick children. Caleb was a healthy little boy before being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor that eventually took him from us in February of 2007. It happened so fast we didn’t know hit us, but thanks to the support of our family and friends we were able to get through such a difficult time. They
supported us every step of the way, during our time spent at the hospital and taking care of our responsibilities at home. Without them we wouldn’t have been able to concentrate on what was most important, Caleb!! Although we were consumed with our own situation, we felt heartbroken looking at the other children in their hospital beds alone, without family members by their side. We just couldn’t understand why they didn’t have family members by their bedside. Some children didn’t have one visitor the entire time we were there. We found out that those parents weren’t as lucky as we were to have the support system we had. Many families in this situation are struggling just to get by with their many responsibilities. They have to care for other children at home and/or work two jobs to pay the bills. Some are single parents raising a number of children. It’s not easy, especially when most families are dealing with tough economic times. We felt compelled to do something. Although we were watching our son slip away, we were there for him every minute. We were able to hold his hand and read to him. We could sit and lay with him and tell him we loved him as he took his final breath. We were very thankful for those moments. As a result, Nichole and I founded the Caleb Joseph Regenski Memorial Foundation. Our goal was to be that extra support that so many families don’t have during these difficult times. We wanted to help out in any way we could. We will pay the mortgage or rent, make a car payment, pay a utility bill, or even pay for groceries. Anything we could do to help a family be there for their child. Since the inception of the Caleb Joseph Regenski Memorial Foundation, countless families have been helped and thousands of dollars raised. We accomplished our goals and surpassed our expectations. We are very proud of what has been accomplished in such a little time. Unfortunately, as many other grieving parents know, this tragedy put a strain on our marriage. At first our loss brought us closer together but in time we grew further apart. In the summer of 2009 we decided to go our separate ways. I am very sad to say we couldn’t work together any longer on what we had started together. We were left making the difficult decision to dissolve the Caleb Joseph Regenski Memorial Foundation and we each started our own. In January of 2010, I founded the CJR Memorial Foundation. Even though Nichole and I are not working together any longer, our original goals and values still remain. No parent should have to prioritize a payment or bill before the care of their sick child. Apart we are both still determined to help families through tough times in memory of our lost son Caleb. Keeping Caleb’s Memory Alive:
Joseph Regenski
