This SouthCoast Family Is in Need of a Mini Miracle This Year

This holiday season WBSM, the United Way of Greater New Bedford and great community sponsors like Care Free Homes, Interiors by Paul Chaisson, Cottage Street Motors, and ProGroup Contracting have teamed up to pull off a Mini Miracle for one deserving, unsuspecting SouthCoast family.

Eleanor Art is a five-year-old girl battling cancer. She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2018, six months after her parents bought a fixer-upper in Dartmouth. Peter and Audrey Art planned to make many updates to the home, but all plans came to a halt when Ellie got sick. Caring for their daughter was their top priority.

Ellie has two sisters. Julia is eight and Penelope is two. The girls have grown closer because of this experience, and support one another through it all. It's hard for Julia and Penelope to see their sister ill. She attends many doctors' appointments and has to travel to Boston often. Ellie is currently in the hospital because she spiked a fever on Wednesday, December 4. They need to bring her to Boston every time this happens due to the extra precautions that need to be taken.

"We were all really looking forward to getting our Christmas tree and setting it up this afternoon. Except, Eleanor woke up with a 102 degree fever. So we packed up and headed to Boston instead for labs, cultures and IV antibiotics. We’re hoping for nice stable lab work to prevent admission. Fingers crossed, prayers, and good vibes are welcome." - Audrey Art

 

Ellie attends physical therapy each week in addition to chemotherapy. Medical bills have added up quickly. In spite of all of this, the Art family has managed to keep their spirits brighter than any Christmas tree. They have each other, and that's all that matters to them.

Help create a Mini Miracle for the Art family this holiday. Donations will help cover the cost of medical bills, home repairs, car repairs, new furniture for the girls, and experiences that the whole family can enjoy.

Ellie loves science and wants to be a "needle nurse" when she grows up. True to their name, the Art family loves their arts and crafts. They'd love to color with new coloring books and crayons, build with Legos, and play with STEM toys. The girls also like playing with Barbie dolls and Baby Alive dolls.

Mom and dad would love to reconnect and squeeze in more date nights. They will celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary on Thursday, December 19.

Text to Donate: Text WISHES to 313131. You will be sent a United Way e-link that allows you to make a donation via credit card to this family when you select MINI MIRACLE from the drop-down menu.

By Check: Make checks payable to the United Way of Greater New Bedford and in the memo line, write MINI MIRACLE. Checks can be dropped off at WBSM studios during normal business hours or mailed to United Way of Greater New Bedford, 128 Union Street, Suite 105, New Bedford, MA 02740.

Donate by Credit Card: You can make a secure donation to the United Way via credit card HERE. Select MINI MIRACLE from the "Please Select a Family" drop-down menu.

Donations of Gift Cards can be dropped off at WBSM Friday, December 6. Please leave a note saying the card is for MINI MIRACLE along with your name.

WBSM's Mini Miracle with the United Way of Greater New Bedford is an extension of the Annual Holiday Wish program. Families have been pre-selected. Support for this program is made possible by Care Free Homes, Interiors by Paul Chaisson, Cottage Street Motors, and ProGroup Contracting.