WEBVTT The holidays can be a stressful time for many people, but a family in Newton has a story tonight that'll really put that stress in perspective. Even as they face unimaginable odds, KCCI's Shaina Humphries reports, they're thankful and optimistic. It was bad enough when single mother of 4, Sarah Hesson, learned that her breast cancer had spread to her blood, brain and spine. While her family was worrying whether or not she'd make it until Christmas... They got even more bad news. WHETHER SARAH HESSON FEELS OK.. CHANGES DAY BY DAY. <Eventually it's going to get to the point where I won't be able to do anything for myself. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE IN WITH HER MOM, PAULINE.. WHO HELPS HER CARE FOR HER TWO SMALL CHILDREN, WHILE HER TWO OLDEST ARE AT SCHOOL. <That's just how it is, moms do everything, we can take care of you when you're sick, we're there for your sports, we go get the grocery, we are a bus, you know.> IT SEEMED THINGS COULDN'T GET ANY WORSE, UNTIL THEY DID. <On the 5th of December, I had a double mastectomy, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, which none of us could believe. We're going, "seriously?" WASTING NO TIME ON WALLOWING IN DESPAIR, THE FAMILY CHOSE TO STAY POSITIVE.. FITTING AS MUCH CHRISTMAS AS THEY COULD INTO THEIR SMALL HOME... KNOWING THAT IF SARAH MAKES IT TO CHRISTMAS, IT WILL LIKELY BE HER LAST. <Normalcy, hope ends right there.> NOT SO FOR THE HESSONS. WITH THE HELP OF CRAIG PHINNEY, AND HIS ORGANIZATION-- COPS AGAINST CANCER--THE FAMILY HAS A CHANCE AT A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS ... <I asked for a needs list, and we also asked for a wish list.> THEY'RE WORKING TO CHECK THINGS OFF THOSE LISTS... SINCE BUYING GIFTS TAKES A BACK SEAT TO THE ENDLESS BURDENS OF CANCER. THIS YEAR FOR CHRISTMAS, THE HESSON'S SAY DESPITE THE CARDS THEY'VE BEEN DEALT, THEY ONLY FEEL BLESSED. <There are people out there who care, and they are able to make our Christmas good. <Because people have just stepped up to the plate and it's wonderful, it's wonderful. I tell you, it is a God thing.> IN NEWTON, SHAINA HUMPHRIES, KCCI Now Cops Against Cancer needs your help. In order to keep helping families like the Hessons, they need more donations. Right now they will run out by the end of January. You can donate - or request help for a cancer family - at Cops Against Cancer dot org.