Community Corner

Milford Mother Hopes to Ease Family's Burden

Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, a lifelong Milford resident is asking for the community's help.

Editor's Note: Resident Charissa Hendon e-mailed Milford Patch recently, asking if we could post information about a benefit she is holding next month for her sister—Robin (Holland) Lumenti, a 35-year-old married mother of two who has stage 4 colon cancer. When we told her we could post the benefit, and asked for more information, she included a poignant letter her sister has written. We are publishing the letter here. Residents may know Lumenti as the friendly blonde manager at the drive-thru; she has worked there for 18 years and lived in Milford all of her life.

My name is Robin Holland Lumenti. I am 35 years old.  I am a wife.  I am a mother and I am also dying from cancer.

Six months ago I was a young, vibrant, healthy woman. I played with my children, went for long walks and thought I had a lot of tomorrows. Then one day I went to the doctors and found out I had cancer, colon cancer to be exact. It is stage 4 cancer which has metastasized and spread to other organs including my stomach, diaphragm and liver.

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My doctors have told me the treatments they are giving me will not save my life. They can only prolong my life, so I can have a little more time with my husband and children.

In one day I went from a strong young woman with plenty of tomorrows to a scared mother hoping and praying for just one more.

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This benefit we are having on March 12, 2011 is so important to me. Not only will it help us with some of our medical bills, but it will pay for my funeral expenses. Like many of you out there, I didn't think life insurance was necessary until I was older. Now of course with my diagnoses no one will insure me.

I don't know how much time I have left. I don't know if I will see either of my sons go to prom, graduate high school or get married. I don't know if I will ever see my grandchildren. I don't even know if my youngest son Antonio will even remember me.

I'm not sure how many tomorrows I have left and I thank god everyday I open my eyes and get to see another today.

I know that my husband and children will be in a lot of pain when I leave this world and I don't want to leave them massive bills that will take away their quality of life. With your help, I hope to be able to lesson their burden and some of my own worries so I can go on with what is left of my life making memories of love and happiness for them to hold onto when I am gone.

I would like to thank my friends and family for their outstanding love and support during my time of need. You will never know how grateful I am for you. I will cherish all of you in my heart and memories forever.

Love,

Robin                   

Rockin it for Robin will be held from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at the .Ticket prices are $15 a person and $25 a couple. Contact Charissa at (508) 381-9297 or Laurie at lriley517@hotmail.com for more information. Donations may also be made to the Rockin it for Robin fund, c/o Milford Federal Savings and Loan Association, 246 Main St., Milford, MA 01757.


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