June is a magical month for the Toth family. All 4 boys, only 3 years apart, were born in June: Noah, age 22, Joshua age 21, and identical twins Jacob and Simon, age 20. Even Dad was born in June.

Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2014, eldest son Noah underwent 4 years of therapy in their home state of Illinois. Re-diagnosed in January 2022, his medical team recommended bone marrow transplant at Children’s Hospital Wisconsin. That meant aggressive long-term treatment in the hospital, followed by months of recovery time and outpatient therapy.

“Obviously, when you get a diagnosis like that, your main concern is the care of your family,” said mom Liz. “The first hospital was 40 minutes away from our house, so we were driving back and forth, grabbing fast food or hospital food and spending money on travel,” she continued. With Noah being treated at Children’s Hospital now, the family has been staying at Kathy’s House and many of their daily worries and concerns melted away.

Noah arrived at CHW in July where he spent 6 weeks in the hospital. Dad Steve spent the first month at Kathy’s House and Liz followed him and remains there. Post-hospitalization, Noah and Liz moved into a suite where Kathy’s House lodging is specially designed to protect patients whose immune systems are compromised.

“Kathy’s House has thought of everything so we don’t have to,” said Liz. “You fit the need. Even the volunteers who bring comforters and pillows to a meeting, you’ve thought of it all.” Liz appreciates the support, camaraderie and empathy from other families experiencing the same issues she and her family are experiencing. She can discuss the benefits and drawbacks of cancer medicines with people who understand what they’re going through. “The support community here is incredible. It’s an extension of a family,” she stated.

“We’re having a wonderful experience, absolutely,” Liz said. Everyone who works here is always willing to go the next step in whatever it is that you ask.”