Cancer Strikes Young North Texas Family

Cancer takes it's toll on a North Texas family's finances, but not their spirit

Within just a few short years of each other, Eric Cochran and his wife Melinda were both diagnosed with cancer. After his initial diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma five years ago, doctors have now given Eric only months to live -- but that news hasn't diminshed the family's spirits.

“I kind of tried to ignore it as much as I could, just try to live a normal life as much as you can," Eric said.

His wife Melinda battled breast cancer last year. She's now in remission, but the bills aren't going away. While they're taking a toll on the Cochran’s finances, the couple is working hard to make sure it doesn't do the same to their children.

"They were having difficulty coping and they were terrified that they were going to lose both parents," Melinda said.

The couple has tried to put their four children first, and their children try to return the favor.

"You try to be there for them, the way they're there for you," said their oldest daughter Makayla.

Makayla said her parents have done a good job of giving the kids a normal life, but added it’s still hard not knowing what will happen to her parents each day. So Melinda tries to remind the kids to just stay positive.

"There is always someone out there doing worse than us. If we were just dealing with the negative, than we'd be curled up in a ball and just giving up and we're not doing that," said Melinda.

The Cochran’s were getting help from Cancer Care Services, but the organization ran out of funding for their area in March. 

A fund has been set up where those wishing to donate to help the Cochran's can do so.  It is at Wachovia Bank and in the families names: Melinda and Eric Cochran Fund.

Contact Us