Holiday Adopt-a-Family

As many of you will remember, last year we participated in the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund Adopt-a Family program.  We collected gifts and gift cards for a local family in need. Because of our HUGE fundraising success last year, we have been asked to adopt TWO families this year! These families have children with serious health problems, which have stressed the families emotionally and financially.  We have the chance to help make these children’s Christmas wishes come true!!

If you are interested in helping these deserving families, there are several ways you can give: buy gifts off the kids’ wish lists (see below), buy gift cards that we will pass along to the families, or provide monetary donations that we will use to purchase gifts for the families.

A few notes:

1. Donations and gifts are due Monday December 10.
2. All gifts must be unwrapped.
3. Preferred food gift cards: Acme, Pathmark, ShopRite, Giant
4. Preferred Department store gift cards: Old Navy, Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens
5. Lightly used toys are welcome

Family 1: Elijah

Elijah is an 8-month-old child with VLCAD deficiency. He experienced a hemodynamic collapse in late August due to a virus and has residual moderate left ventricular systolic dysfunction, which is symptomatically well controlled on enteral medications.  He remains in the Cardiac Care Unit and is currently being weaned from narcotic and sedative medications which were necessary during his time in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.  The family travels daily to visit with Elijah.  The father works full time, and the mom cares for their two older children. The parents have struggled to pay their mortgage and household bills due to the prolonged hospitalization and the associated costs, including gas, parking, and tolls when commuting to the hospital and back home.

Wish list for Elijah (patient, 8 months old)

• Clothing size: 12 months
• Gift suggestions: Walker, educational toys, stuffed animals

Wish list for Janya (sister, 8 years old)

• Clothing size: 12
• Favorite color: Purple
• Gift suggestions: One Direction (music group), microphone, pajamas

Wish list for Amya (sister, 10 years old))

• Clothing size: 14/16
• Favorite colors: Purple and pink
• Gift suggestions: One Direction (music group), any items from this group, pajamas, hair items, lotions, body spray

Family 2: Marshyne and Mason

Marshyne is a 9 year old boy with moderate hemophilia A, factor VIII deficiency.  This is a lifelong illness characterized by unpredictable bleeds that can make even minor injuries turns into severe bleeding episodes.  Marshyne has had emergency room visits at least once a year, and hematology clinic visits every four months.  He has also experienced joint bleeds which have been managed from home with a regimen of infusions and home care nursing.  In August, Marshyne became a big brother to Mason, who was diagnosed at birth with Hemophilia A, factor VII deficiency.  Having two boys with hemophilia has been very stressful emotionally and physically, and has been difficult to manage at times.  Marshyne and Mason’s mom is a single working parent. She previously obtained her Master of Social Work while working full time, but her maternity leave was unpaid which caused significant financial stress. Mom has been working tirelessly for her family, even while recuperating from a complicated c-section.  She is responsible for all costs associated with clinic visits and hospitalizations, including but not limited to: transportation, child care expenses for other children at home, food during prolonged hospitalizations, co-pays for specialist visits, etc.

Wish list for Family:

• Gift cards to food and department stores

Wish list for Mason (4 months)

• Clothing size: 9 months
• Interests: Elmo
• Gift suggestions: Mason is a newborn and will be around 5 months old at the holidays. He will be wearing around 9 month old clothes. Mom would greatly appreciate crib sheets, swaddling blankets, and a new walker or “play saucer” for him to sit in. He could also use a warm jacket for the winter.

Wish list for Marshyne (9 years)

• Clothing size: Children’s Large (10-12)
• Favorite colors: Blue and Red
• Interests: Wii U
• Gift Suggestions: Marshyne would really like to have the game “Gooey Louie.” He loves his Wii U and would love “digimon” games andor “3D Mario.” He could also use a pair of sneakers (size 4 1/2)