Suffield Family Feels the Love

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Photo submitted by Gina Flanagan

Suffield’s Flanagan family is pictured with their typical smiles. From the left, in back: Jack, mom Gina, Christian, Caelie. Front: Joshua and dad Scott. In June, Scott learned of his aggressive stage 4 lymphoma.

Anyone who lives or has lived in Suffield knows that Suffield is a town that draws people together to help and give support in any kind of crisis. When someone is facing hardship, it is never faced alone.

Scott Flanagan of Suffield learned at the beginning of June that he has aggressive, diffuse large cell B Non-Hodgkins stage 4 Lymphona (involving bone, lymph nodes and viscera). Scott had been working as a Physical Therapist but had to go on family leave, which ended his compensation.

The family is taking one day at a time, with their strong faith in God and family, hoping for the best. Scott is now receiving chemotherapy on one day, followed by Lumbar Puncture on the next day, presently on a 3-week cycle. Anyone who has been involved with cancer knows this is a long, painful process, with physical and emotional ups and downs. Scott, his wife Gina, daughter Caelie, a college junior in upstate NY, and three sons, Jack, Christian, and Joshua, students in the Suffield schools, have discovered that Suffield and surrounding towns are standing by them.

On July 31, a Rally was held at the Suffield VFW, hosted by the David Camera and Chris Nikolis families along with the Camera Foundation to put together a benefit for this family in Suffield that is in need of our help. This family event included varied and delicious foods, wonderful desserts, a great silent auction and a spirit of generosity, as everything was donated so that total proceeds would go to the Flanagans. The rally was a great family event where the kids had a great time, too. You could feel the love in the room.

On Sunday, October 6, 5-8 p.m., at St. Robert’s Parish Hall in Windsor Locks, the Suffield community will be joined by neighbors from other towns for a benefit, called “Wings of Hope”. There will be a delicious buffet style meal, followed by tea cup raffle and entertainment provided by The Around Town Two singers with Dan Kehoe. A great time looms ahead. Information is available by calling 860-623-2943.

The giving, caring, compassionate demeanor of Suffield people and neighbors in nearby towns has helped this family and eased the stress that accompanies a serious illness. An account has been set up at First Suffield Bank and its branch offices for the Flanagan Family Fund. Contributions can be made at the main bank or any of the branches.

Personal messages, cards, or monetary donations can be sent to Scott and Gina Flanagan c/o Sacred Heart Church, 446 Mountain Road, PO Box 626, Suffield, CT 06078. Checks can be made out to Scott and Gina Flanagan.  Donations can also be made online through a GO FUND ME page: https://www.gofundme.com/flanagan-family-fund

Sacred Heart Church will represent The Flanagan Family Fund at Suffield on the Green.

This whole experience has been overwhelming for the Flanagans, but love and support and prayers provide the best medicine. Seeing how everyone has stepped up, Scott says, “To say we are blown away is an understatement. We feel your love and support in all forms…our family, friends, coworkers, teachers, classmates, church, community & beyond. Thank you for showing up for us … We receive from each and every one of you the light of hope. There are NO words to express what that means. Today our world is brighter. Cancer is a battle that needs to be won by love.”  Thank you all!!! 

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