The Tony-Franklin Foundation

of Nacogdoches County, Texas             

The Tony-Franklin Foundation of Nacogdoches County is an organization created to give financial assistance to cancer patients who are either residents or receive treatment in Nacogdoches County.

Send all donations to:

Tony-Franklin Foundation

PO Box 630476

Nacogdoches, TX 75963

(936) 462-9833

(936) 569-0756

Dorothy and Franklin

In the hospital

Pleasant memories of Tony

Happy moments in a difficult situation

Tony as young sailor

Joyful while facing struggles

Birth of a Foundation

Dorothy Kelley,

founder and chairperson, tells her story in this section. Many good things in society are inspired by suffering and this is her story.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 at age 45, my husband no longer had patience for me. I had suffered 6 surgeries within a 10 month period and he divorced me. I found myself sick and alone with no one to care for me.

In 1993 I moved to Nacogdoches, Texas. Not long after my arrival I was diagnosed to have a brain tumor. Four different doctors gave me around 6 months to live. These men communicated little hope. I was to go to Houston for surgery, and return home to die.

In 1995 I was made aware of 9 other patients in the Nacogdoches area with similar prognosis. Ten of us were to die within 6 months. In two years I watched nine of those people die. Eleven children were left without a parent.

I lived. One of those children asked me, "why did my mommy die and for you God did a miracle?" I took his hand and said, "I do not have an answer for you, but I want you to know that God is God and he loves you and your mother." I then made a promise to dedicate my life to God's service.

Franklin Cadena

Not long after I met a seven year old boy of Mexican descent named Franklin Cadena. He was suffering from cancer in advanced stage. I began helping the Cadena family by transporting Gloria his mother and Jafet Jr. back and forth from home to the hospital. He was admitted to the university clinic  of M.D. Anderson in Houston for surgery and treatment. His surgery proved not to be successful. It was determined a t-cell transplant was needed. By this time I had bonded with Franklin.

Around Thanksgiving the year of 1999, pressure on the family was extreme. Franklin's father and 8 year old brother were living in Nacogdoches while Franklin and his mother stayed in Houston for treatment. In an effort to take some of the pressure I took the available money and moved them to Houston.

That December, with the help of several other people, I gave Franklin and Jafet Jr. a very big Christmas. I had just returned from the Cadena's home in Houston and received the news that Toy's-R-Us and a church in Lufkin Texas had promised gifts for Franklin and Jafet. On January 4, 2000, I arrived at the Cadena's with more gifts. Just a few days later, t-cell transplant was scheduled for the child.

While in the children's clinic, Franklin made a statement that impacted my life. He said that Dorothy is my God. I was quick to explain that I was not God.  But in his childlike way through an interpreter, he let me know that God had used me in a wonderful way. He was trying to tell me that God had touched him through my life. I have never been the same.

In August 2000 Franklin looked at his mother and said, "Mommy, don't cry. God loves me!" Within an hour, Franklin's body gave up the battle, and he went to be with Jesus.

Tony Spatola

In September 2000, I met Tony Spatola, his wife Cathy and their eleven year old son, Albert. Tony had lung cancer and was self-employed. At that time the doctors had given him about 5 months to live. Tony believed that his trust in God would change that. He was a man of faith.

I watched him get weaker and yet his faith grew stronger. He lost his business which was very difficult.  Oak Grove Baptist Church and individuals were quick to help. Nevertheless, struggles  were hard for Tony and his family.

One day talking over coffee Tony and I sketched out a plan. He wanted to create a foundation that would help cancer patients deal with the financial strain. The battle to stay alive is enough. Financial strain should not be added to that suffering. His plan at that time was to recover and work with me in a charitable foundation. He wanted to make sure others who were facing the difficult struggle would not be without the finances to pay electricity, food, gasoline or insurance. We made a pact to create a cancer aid foundation.

In March of 2001, Tony went to be with Jesus. But his vision has continued. We have labored long months in prayer and now have implemented the plan to create the Tony-Franklin Foundations. Our goal is to ease the mental pain and suffering of cancer patients by financially assisting them.

In Conclusion

The history of my relationship with these two very special people and the quiet urgings of our Savior are the inspiration for "The Tony-Franklin Foundation". Join with us in this vital outreach to the Nacogdoches area.

dorothykelley@tonyfranklinfoundation.org