Toronto (CNN) — It was acknowledgment of her misfortune fears: The pile Audrey Guth found on her breast incited out to be cancer.
“When we get a news that we have cancer, as a mom your life turns upside down,” Guth said. “The initial thing we consider about (is) your children.”
Fortunately for Guth, her adult children could support themselves while she underwent treatment. But she fast schooled that not all mothers were as lucky.
“I saw so many moms sitting there with their children on their laps, pulling their clothing,” Guth said. “I thought, ‘This is not a place for children.’ “
With a credentials using a nanny agency, Guth knew she could help. In 2008, she started a Nanny Angel Network, a nonprofit that provides giveaway in-home childcare for mothers who have cancer.
“Mothers who are diagnosed with cancer are caregivers who unexpected find themselves in need of care,” pronounced Guth, 59. “Our module allows mothers a leisure to take a rest, given that’s what they need a many to get better.”
Since 2008, her classification has helped some-more than 300 moms in and around Toronto.
‘Nanny Angels’ to a rescue
Guth’s module is staffed by a group of volunteers who have veteran backgrounds in childcare. Many of them are cancer survivors.
Nearly half of a moms they assistance are singular parents. It’s one of a many reasons she believes a classification is so important.
“When you’re a singular mom, your income is decreased, and we mostly can’t means childcare,” Guth said.
It’s a plea Shauna Barnett knows all too well. A singular mom to a 4-year-old son, Barnett has battled theatre 2 breast cancer given September. She underwent a double mastectomy and assertive chemotherapy to provide her disease.
“If I’m carrying a bad day, infrequently we can’t lift my conduct off a pillow,” pronounced Barnett, 38. “As a mother, we feel so bad to have to contend to my son, ‘Please go play with your toys so mommy can rest.’ He’s usually 4, he doesn’t understand.”
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Once a week, Barnett and her son, Deshaun, get a revisit from someone who does understand: Deshaun’s “nanny angel,” Ruth Van Es.
“We bake cookies and cakes. When it’s warm, we travel to a park. (We) play house games, review books,” pronounced Van Es, a cancer survivor. “The categorical thing is to keep their minds off of a cancer and what is function to mum. we feel like Mary Poppins.”
Barnett recently underwent her final turn of chemo and says doctors have given her a certain prognosis. She is beholden to Guth’s module for creation her cancer tour easier.
“The Nanny Angel Network is a Godsend,” Barnett said. “When Ruth comes to my home, it’s such a outrageous service to have a possibility to rest.”
Cancer changes everything
Last year, Guth stretched her services to assistance families with end-of-life care.
“When there is a death, we hang around to be there for a kids,” Guth said. “This is so essential for a child who only mislaid their mom and is perplexing to cope with that.”
Ultimately, Guth hopes her efforts give families a assent of mind that their children will be cared for during a formidable time.
“Cancer changes all for we and for your whole family,” she said. “What we do won’t take divided their illness, though it will positively make their tour a lot easier.”
With her possess cancer now in remission, Guth considers herself lucky, and she skeleton to keep profitable her good happening brazen to some-more moms in need.
“When we get a call that says, ‘I finished my chemo’ or ‘my nanny angel came today, and my child had a best time,’ that’s when we say, ‘Yes, we’re unequivocally creation a difference.’ “
Want to get involved? Check out a Nanny Angel Network website at www.nannyangelnetwork.com and see how to help.