She's a single-mother helping her 13-year-old son battle cancer. She's also working to get back on her feet after losing her job, her father and her home in April. But, Katherine Schilling's story is actually one of faith.

Katherine says her faith has only gotten stronger since everything started going wrong. Her son, Zachary Hartsell is a brave teenager who says he's treating his treatment like an airplane ride: He doesn't like it but then it's over and things are better. Both could use your help.

You could say she's a mother staying strong for her son. It's possible he's a boy doing the same for his mom. But, they'll tell you they're in this together.

"I didn't feel sick. I felt fine," Zachary says. "Now, it's time to go back to the hospital."

"We take care of each other,” Katherine tells us. “The kids and I just banded together and we do what we gotta do and everybody helps everybody.”

Everybodys lives changed forever this spring. On April 14, Zachary was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer. The next day, Katherine lost her job when Saturn closed in Eau Claire. A couple weeks later, she found mold in her home. It was bad enough that Zachary’s doctor said he couldn't ever go back there.

"I don't know what I could or what I would do if I didn't pray or have that in my life," Katherine says.

The pair is now spending three to five days every two to three weeks in Marshfield where Zachary is undergoing chemo, leaving behind a little brother and sister. They're staying with their principal; Zach and Katherine with another friend.

"They're expecting me to just be falling apart all of the time and I can't. I have to take care of things," she says.

Katherine finds comfort posting updates on Zach’s CaringBridge website where she wrote her eldest son a poem, inspiring other moms.

A friend “said after reading my journal entries, she spent more time now loving her kids and listening to her kids," Katherine tells us.

Zachary looks forward to more time with his friends. He hangs their pictures on his hospital wall and is excited by some of their newly bald heads.

"I just thought by this time next year, I’ll still be doing this," he says of his treatment. “Maybe, maybe not,” his mom replies.

They’re a mother and son with a long road ahead of them, with a lot of support to lean on, and a faith that is impossible to put into words.

“It's not easy by any means,” Katherine says. “But, when it comes to taking care of your kids, you just do what you gotta do.”

Katherine has started a job as a cook at a daycare center. She’s hoping to have her family back together after Zach’s next round of chemo, but she doesn’t know when they’ll be able to afford a home or apartment of their own.

Both Katherine and Zach say the community, school, their church and their friends could not be more helpful and they’re incredibly thankful for all that they’ve done.

CLICK HERE FOR ZACHARY'S CARINGBRIDGE UPDATES.

If you want to help Katherine, Zach and their family, there are a couple benefits coming up:

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Eau Claire Lutheran School PTL Chicken Q Fundraiser:

Tuesday, May 12, 11:00-6:00 p.m.
(PRE-ORDER REQUIRED/TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOL)

This is a drive-thru. Pick up your meals and take it home or to the park. Never have to get out of your car. Minimum Donation: $8.50

Meal includes ½ charcoal chicken, baked beans, cheesy potatoes roll & butter
Chicken by BBQ Express of Eau Claire

If you would like lunches delivered to your place of work call Karen Vlcek to place an order 835-9314 or email her at kvlcek@e-c-l-s.org

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Action City “Fun” Raiser

Tuesday, May 26, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
2402 Lorch Ave., Eau Claire

Call Marcie Young to get a “FUN” raising card and 25% of all your purchases will be donated to Zach and his family.

(715) 835-9314 or myoung@e-c-l-s.org

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Eau Claire Lutheran School is also collecting donations because a lot of the family’s clothes and belongings had to be thrown away because of the mold in their home:

You can contact Karen Vlcek at 835-9314 or email her at kvlcek@e-c-l-s.org for more information on arranging a donation.

Zach wears men's size M or L shirts, size 16 husky pants, L sweats and
10 1/2 shoes. He likes video games, the TN Volunteers, TN Titans and
music by Skillet and Will Smith.

Mila is 5 and is currently a size 7, with a shoe size of 10. Mila loves
Barbie items, My Little Pony and Hannah Montana. She is big into
wearing dresses, little t-shirt-type-material skirts and loves pink and
purple things - sparkly and frilly. Please no Bratz items.

Carson is 6 years old and is size 7; shoe size 11. Carson loves trucks, Bakugons and dinosaurs. Please no gun type toys.

As to clothing, bigger is better, as they will grow into larger sizes. The kids do have PS2, Gameboy Advance SP and Zach has a PSP.