Family Overwhelmed With Bills For Mariah Thompson, 5-Year-Old With Leukemia: You Can Help

After Mariah Thompson was diagnosed with leukemia at 3 years old, her family began making regular trips from their Montana home to Seattle Children's Hospital for cancer treatments.

In the two years since her diagnosis, the family's situation has become increasingly dire as mounting medical bills and unexpected difficulties continue to spring up, according to The Great Falls Tribune.

During a drive to their daughter's treatment this summer, the family's luck took a turn for the worse. Sparks began to fly as the family Suburban lost a wheel on the highway. Luckily, Mariah's father Pat was able to navigate the car safely to the side of the road -- but the broken-down vehicle only added to the family's debt.

The Great Falls Tribune reports,

Mariah's treatments have cost them far beyond what they can afford. Their first doctor bill after Mariah's diagnosis was $49,000, which is more than the family makes in a year. Bonnie's husband lives on a fixed income as a disabled veteran, and Bonnie works three days a week as a housekeeper on a ranch.

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Now, a local nonprofit is raising funds to help the family pay to repair their car, which they need to transport Mariah and her five siblings to Seattle.

Supporters can contribute to by sending donations to the Great Falls Uptown Optimist Club P.O. Box 462, Great Falls, MT 59403.