Nathan and Elisa were diagnosed with cancer within one week of each other.

It’s one of a parent’s most feared scenarios: being diagnosed with cancer and living with the fear of dying while your kids are young. When one parent faces this battle, it’s tragic, when two parents face it, it’s unheard of. Yet that’s exactly what one New York couple are confronting. Nathan and Elisa Bond were diagnosed with advanced cancer within one week of each other, and now the battle is on to survive to raise their 18-month-old daughter, Sadie.

Nathan, 38 was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer this past February. He was given a prognosis of a 60 percent chance of surviving five years. Within the same week, his wife Elisa, 36 found a lump on her breast and was told she had metastatic breast cancer, which means the cancer had already spread throughout her body. Elisa’s cancer is considered incurable. Doctors told her she has just a 16 percent chance of surviving five years.

Nathan, an artist, and Elisa, a real estate agent, both had to leave their jobs to begin chemotherapy. Their daily routine consists of doctor’s appointments, chemo, and feeling completely exhausted and nauseous, while trying to raise their toddler. Friends have come to their aid by taking turns babysitting and bringing the couple to doctors appointments. They have also created a web page to help offset the immense financial debts the couple will ensue.

The NY Daily News reports that despite the situation, the couple is in good spirits and the website is helping both financially and mentally:

So far the site has raised about $25,000 to help cover living expenses, medical treatment not covered by insurance, transportation and extra child care.

But the couple – who met in 2004 and married in June 2005 – are getting more than money from the site. The encouraging emails from visitors – some perfect strangers who have heard about their plight through friends – helps keep them going.

“Everyone should have a chance to feel this much love once it their lives,” said Nathan. “Despite our cancer, we feel very lucky.”

The website is called Friends of Nathan and Elisa. It tells the story of how the couple met and also allows visitors to contribute.

Elisa adds, “I wanted to grow old with my husband and care for our daughter. Now I’m just hoping for a miracle.”

Image: Friends of Nathan and Elisa

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