Having cancer is “psychologically scarring, so trips initially to McDonald’s, carnivals, Cape Cod and events such as Easter egg hunts and holiday parties give the children something pleasant to look back on during this difficult period of their lives
WORCESTER—Before her passing in 1985, Terry Shepherd’s young daughter Sherry spent four years battling multiple recurrences of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He recalls her determination to walk 6,000 miles across the country to raise money for other kids fighting cancer – going so far as to make a map of her route and a list of things she would need.
Because of her deteriorating health, that trip was not possible so Sherry turned her attention to doing something closer to home, building on previous efforts.
“She was the first pediatric oncology patient at UMass Medical Center,” said Shepherd. “We would see a few other kids come in as she was on and off treatment, having transfusions for three or four hours at a time. We started out doing little things…personally bringing in a TV and VCR… Sherry always wanted to find ways to make things better for the other children and their families.”
The compassionate 13-year-old conceived and created Why Me, which stands for “Worcester Help for Youth, Memories Everlasting.”
This year, the nonprofit on Pleasant Street celebrates its 40th anniversary—offering financial and emotional support, housing and other services to children and their families from the Worcester area and beyond.
“Sherry would have no idea it could last this long,” said Shepherd, chairman of the organization’s Board of Directors. “When I talk to her, I say, `Look what you got up and running!’”
From its beginnings at Shepherd’s Main Street accounting office to both Why Me headquarters at Sherry’s House, the nonprofit’s mission has always been to ensure children with cancer feel like kids and their lives consist of more than doctor’s visits and treatment.
Having cancer is “psychologically scarring,” said Shepherd, so trips initially to McDonald’s, carnivals, Cape Cod and events such as Easter egg hunts and holiday parties give the children something pleasant to look back on during this difficult period of their lives.
Shepherd noted that everyone surrounding the sick child—parents, grandparents, siblings and other relatives—are also going through an ordeal and need love and support.
“It’s like falling into a black hole spinning, never knowing what tomorrow will bring,” Shepherd said, of the families’ experiences.
“Early on, I heard a sibling say, `I wish I had cancer…John gets all the presents and attention.’ It was very heartbreaking to hear…Henceforth…we have included them all, not just the child who is sick,” he added.
Rebecca Kuczarski, executive director for Why Me for the past two years, also has personal ties to the organization. Her two-year-old daughter Sophia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in November 2011 and died unexpectantly in June 2012.
Kuczarski and her husband attended the nonprofit’s bereavement groups, while her other children participated in a support group for siblings.
“Once a Why Me family, always a Why Me family,” Kuczarski said.
After volunteering at fundraisers, she began working as Why Me’s fundraising assistant and became manager of fundraising in 2017. Along with her administrator duties, Kuczarski runs the teen group.
The seven-person staff works with approximately 100 families per year.
She explained that Why Me has assisted people from other states and countries who come to Boston and Worcester seeking expertise in childhood cancer treatment.
Sherry’s House, the program’s eight-bedroom “home away from home,” provides shelter for families with an inpatient child who need a place to stay while commuting to the hospital for visits.
The house has a two-bedroom self-contained apartment reserved for kids who have had transplants and need to be in isolation. The comfort suite is also used for families of children in hospice.
Why Me headquarters serves as the base for family fun events such as Halloween costume parties, summer and vacation camps and holiday celebrations.
At Sherry’s House, there is a food pantry where home cooked meals are prepared and delivered to those who need meal assistance.
Visits are also made to clinics and hospitals with coffee and donuts in tow and `parent bags,’ large totes containing what people need for overnight stays.
Kuczarski said the nonprofit provides financial aid in the form of gift cards for gas, groceries and clothing and direct assistance based on needs.
All of Why Me’s services are free.
On the emotional side, a variety of support groups are offered for the newly bereaved, mothers, survivors, parents with kids currently in treatment, teens and most recently, “super siblings.”
There is a playgroup for youngsters who cannot attend preschool.
The director said that Why Me receives no state or federal funding and relies on the generosity of community members, local businesses, sports teams, grants and their Why Me families, many of whom have ties dating back as far as 40 years.
“We take away extra stresses families are going through while trying to save their children’s lives,” she said. “They definitely stay connected and that’s important.”
Kuczarski said the nonprofit is hoping to celebrate its milestone 40th anniversary with a celebration in August, an open house so people can learn more about it and special events like a Heart Dance on May 3 at the AC Marriott.
“It’s heartwarming to see how much our families give back,” added Shepherd. “We have original kids come and do dishes…people volunteering…We’ve been around so long because of the support this community has given us.”
Shepherd is convinced his daughter’s legacy will live on after he is gone.
“We have big fans…certainly a lot of people affected by what we do,” Shepherd said. “If you add up kids and all the family members, many hundreds have felt the love and comfort we provide. It is ongoing.”
Susan Gonsalves is currently editor-in-chief of a mental health trade journal and a freelance writer/editor specializing in education, medical/health and business. She previously worked at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and has contributed to publications at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and College of the Holy Cross. At the Worcester Telegram, she covered the town of Leicester and wrote for Business Matters. She can be reached at smgedit@comcast.net
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