Eric Carl Sjoblom Annual Memorial Open Golf Tournament - August 18, 2023

OUR STORY

Eric, our 27-month-old beautiful baby boy, had not been feeling well for a couple of weeks. On January 27th, 2004, we took him to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, RI. We were shocked and terrified when he was diagnosed with Stage IV of the cancer Neuroblastoma.

The cancer had started in his adrenal gland but had spread to his liver, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and pelvic bones. Three days later, Eric started his first round of chemotherapy. He responded well at first but began having trouble breathing after a few days. He was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where his lungs continued to get worse.

The doctors determined that Eric had contracted the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) which is a virus that attacks the lungs. Because the chemotherapy had affected his immune system, he could not combat the virus, and Eric lost his short battle on Valentine’s Day, 2004.

The day Eric was admitted, a man came to our room and said that he was from The Tomorrow Fund. He told us that a social worker and parent consultant would be coming by the next day, and every day that we were in the hospital, with a stipend to help us pay for food. When we told him we didn’t need money, he said that every family with a child in the hospital fighting cancer gets it, no matter what. He told us about other services that The Tomorrow Fund offers as well. He was kind and compassionate, and it was a brief respite from the endless discussions we’d been having with the doctors that horrible day.

During the time Eric was in the hospital, The Tomorrow Fund, in addition to the stipend and parking vouchers, provided a social worker and parent consultant to answer questions about cancer, treatment, insurance, emotional issues, talking to Eric’s older sisters, and many other topics. After Eric passed, The Tomorrow Fund paid for our outstanding medical bills and funeral expenses and continued to help us with emotional support. We will be forever grateful to these wonderful people who helped us during Eric’s sickness and continue to support us today.

For the past 19 years, with the support and compassion of our friends and family, the ECS Memorial Fund has been able to raise over $250,000 in Eric’s name. We know that he would be so proud of us and all who donate in his honor. On behalf of the many brave children and their families who are in the fight for their lives, and in memory of our beloved Eric, we sincerely thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Sincerely, The Sjoblom and DiGiacomo Families