Known to the PSP Community as “Storm” and “Shadow” – these two absolutely wonderful individuals have taken it amongst themselves to begin a non-profit organization with other parents to provide awareness, public education, and support for families of ALL children with catastrophic illnesses.

Be it Cancer (as their son Elric has) or Pompeii Disease (as a young girl they have met has) – ANY pediatric / childhood disease that can be listed as catastrophic and requires major life changes that puts a strain on the family – Helping Mr. Elric and Friends is going to be there to help in any manner that they can.  These families face hardships that many can never truly understand. Families of children with catastrophic illnesses often have trouble obtaining even the simplest of basic necessities – like groceries, toiletries, even regular every-day bills.  Fuel and reliable transportation are MUST HAVE needs for these families due to the amount of travel required for their regular medical appointments in addition to appointments with specialists.  Even the least life-changing illness can amount to an extraordinary amount of time on the road and fuel used to travel back and forth to doctors, specialists, and work quickly puts a severe strain on these families finances.

In addition, Helping Mr. Elric & Friends is currently seeking other families with children that have catastrophic illnesses to be part of a “panel” of sorts – to talk to newly diagnosed families, parents, patients, and siblings!

They are currently accepting monetary donations or gift card donations for places such as Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, book stores, nationwide fuel gift cards (for places like Exxon, BP, Shell, etc.), grocery store gift cards, Visa or Mastercard gift cards – you get the idea.  They prefer to receive donations in the form of gift cards (as most gift cards do not have an expiration date they are the preferred method) until the organization can be fully established, but they will also accept monetary donations.

Please make checks or money orders payable to ERIC CHILDRESS.  Donations can be sent to:

Helping Mr. Elric & Friends
1637 Cassell Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

A web site will be established in the future as well as a P.O. Box address rather than the current address being used.  Should you have any questions at all, please email helpingmrelricandfriends@gmail.com and they will be happy to answer any questions you have or put in touch with a family that can.

Please help raise awareness about catastrophic childhood illnesses. The children are our future. So let's work together to preserve that future.

Sincerely,

Eric J. Childress