Mia was born 6 weeks early and was diagnosed prenatally with Down Syndrome and a heart defect called a Complete Balanced Atrioventricular Septal Defect(AVSD). She also had a rare umbilical cord issue that put her at a greater risk for extra blood flow to her heart. Thankfully, this never posed an issue. Six days after Mia was born she was transferred out to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and was diagnosed with Medical Necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC).She spent 7 weeks total in the NICU overcoming the NEC and continuing to grow. She’s been home for a little over 3 months and has been doing amazing. She got COVID recently and was able to recover at home. Mia is getting ready to have Open Heart Surgery at CHOA on 4/1/24. Mia’s dad Matt has limited PTO left as he used it all up when Mia was in the NICU and Kim had to limit her hours at work and stay home with Mia and their other girls. As you can imagine, the medical bills are piling in and I want to take some of the burden off of them while they focus on Mia’s healing without the added stress of finances. They have felt all the love and support from those around them and credit that to one of the reasons Mia continues to thrive. No donation is too big or too small and even if you’re unable to donate, prayers, well wishes, thoughts and sharing the link will help! As Open Heart approaches , we will be posting updates of Mia’s progress on this page.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-baby-mia...

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089788212259
Pushpa Vishnu

https://www.facebook.com/ourdadneedsakidneyvishnudureddy
 

Vishnu, my husband, is a 48-year-old father of my two young girls, Sarayu and Saahithi. He is in dire need of a kidney transplant. In the 23 years of our marriage, he has been everything that I could ask for and has given me more than I could ask for. He has been my torchbearer, the backbone of support through my health issues, and a guiding hand to pursue my career and dreams. He always takes pride and pleasure in providing and putting his family first. Not only is he a tutor and mentor to my girls, but he is also passionate about providing financial guidance to friends and young kids to help them become financially independent. He is a simple man with no materialistic desires, making it hard for us to find a “gift in a box” for special occasions. He is a movie lover, an avid cricket player in Atlanta, and loves to hike with friends and family. His only dream is to travel the world and retire to a simple farm life. He has always been a man of few words, always readily available to provide young adults with financial support to pursue higher education, provide funds for farmers to save their land, and is a constant donor to many charitable organizations such as UNICEF, Red Cross, or any disaster relief, to name a few.

A year ago, our lives changed in an instant when he had to go on emergency dialysis. Years ago, Vishnu was diagnosed with FSGS, a rare hereditary kidney disease. He was asymptomatic for many years with medication, but last year everything changed for us. His creatinine levels skyrocketed, putting him on emergency daily dialysis, and we also lost his father to cardiac arrest, caused by the same kidney disease last year after being on 3 years of dialysis.

With my husband's rare blood type 0, he has a long wait of 8 years for a kidney transplant. Instead of taking family vacations this past year, instead we filled our calendar with trips to register for kidney transplants in multiple states; plans of outings with friends and family have become limited and completely revolve around his dialysis. His ultimate pleasure of a sweet tooth has now become survival eating; weekend family eat-outs almost banned with a big list of food restrictions. Simple pleasures of life have taken a back seat.His once-annoying snoring has become my reassurance that he is breathing.

Despite all the challenges and compromises, we have been thankful for his life and hopeful for a kidney transplant one day. But his recent change in lab levels puts him at imminent risk for cardiac complications, and constant reminders from our healthcare providers to find a living donor ASAP is the reason for this plea.

I can't bear the thought of my girls growing up without their father, the biggest rock of support each and every step of their way.

Any living kidney donation in his name, regardless of compatibility, through the "kidney exchange program" or “kidney paired donation” ,living donor kidneys are swapped so each recipient receives a compatible transplant, puts my husband on a living donor waiting list, on which the wait is LESS THAN A YEAR.

The words, “The sooner the better,” from our healthcare providers are what compels me to implore for ANY BLOOD TYPE living donor to come forward to help save my husband's life.

Prayers for your health and happiness.

Pushpa 

Venmo: heathercallahan28

PayPal: [email protected]

Other items they may need and could use daily are: Kroger gift cards, Walmart gift cards, shell gift cards, Amazon gift cards.

My name is Heather, I’m 24 years old with terminal cancer. I have small lymphocytic lymphoma which was diagnosed a while ago, and I’ve been battling non stop since. I also have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a Functional GI disorder, a Functional Neurological Disorder, and seizures. Many of these were caused by the harsh treatments I’ve received. I’m married to my high school sweetheart and we’ve been together for nearly 8 years. He was active duty military for the first four of our relationship. I have an English Cream Golden Retriever named Biscuit who is 4, and continuously saves my life with alerts (but also cuddles 🥰).

I was treated at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta until I aged out, and now I’m treated at Emory and the Mayo Clinic in Florida. We come to Mayo about once a month for tests and treatments. I went to the University of North Georgia and received my bachelors in Kinesiology. I continued my education there and got certified as a clinical medical assistant and I now work part time, as my health allows, at Children’s as an MA in the orthopedic department. My husband works at a hospital as well.

During my time in undergrad I created Miracle UNG, a non profit student run organization to benefit Children’s. We’ve raised over $100k since the start of the foundation and I’m still very much involved in an advisor role now as others have carried the torch since I graduated.

 These are not scientific treatments to treat the life threatening diseases I face.

Did you know that you can generate donations while shoppin, at no extra cost?

Simply start your shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/81-0687650 to confirm "Be The Change - Brandy Angel Foundation Inc" as your charity of choice, and AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchase price to our organization.

We know a lot of you have heard us talk about Amazon Smile that donates a portion of your proceeds to Be the Change-Brandy Angel Foundation when you shop online. Well it just got easier!! Now you can turn Amazon Smile on on your phone app! Here are the instructions we just received directly from Amazon! Just what we needed, another reason to shop online! Haha At least you can feel good about it when you set up Amazon Smile!

You can now support your favorite charity in the Amazon Shopping app on your phone, at no cost to you.

Simply turn AmazonSmile ON in the app to start generating donations. It takes only a few seconds.

You are currently supporting:

Be the Change - Brandy Angel Foundation Inc

How to turn on AmazonSmile:

1)Join AmazonSmile

If you are not already an AmazonSmile member, sign up on your web browser. Simply select your favorite charity to start generating donations, at no cost to you.

2)Get the app

Download or update to the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app on your phone. You can find it in the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.

3)Turn on AmazonSmile

Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.

To help us raise money during a time that we can't really gather together for fundraisers we have set up a T-shirt campaign with Custom Ink. If you would like to buy one of our awesome t-shirts please click on the link 

https://www.customink.com/fundraising/be-the-change-magic-camper-project?utm_campaign=desktop-post-launch-v3&utm_content=be-the-change-magic-camper-project&utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link&fbclid=IwAR1QUAaZ3KaRE3iJ74FGS06W_bovcpYtaQM4chAT6vNZB1eAuCX0XZpI1oU
 

We are so amazed that we were able to raise close to $60,000 to make all this happen and we are so incredibly grateful to all of you for what you have contributed. You have truly changed the life of an entire family! We couldn't be more proud of our family, friends and community. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are just a small foundation from a small town but our hearts, dreams and determination are HUGE. We know we could never have made this happen with out you all. We would hug you all if we could. If anyone would like to contribute any further, in any way, please contact us and we will let you know how you can get involved. Please stay tuned for the updates as construction begins!

And please remember to wash your hands and wear your masks! Let's keep our community and cancer warriors safe!

#september2020 #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #foxfamilyhomebuild #childhoodcancer #childhoodcancersurvivor #childhoodcancerawareness

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cadence-fox-family-home-build-benefit-tickets-98079551579

Please come out and join us at Sebastian Cove Clubhouse on April 18th 2020 at 6:00pm for some amazing food, drinks, and music for an amazing cause! Scott Deering & The Usual Suspects will be playing, Chef Cam Floyd will be cooking up some delicious food and Tito's will be mixing the drinks! All profits from this benefit will go directly to Be the Change-Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc, a 5013c non profit foundation and put towards the construction of this deserving family a home! Come out and enjoy the evening and find out how you can get involved!
Find out more about the Fox Family Home Build at www.BetheChangeBAF.com

Please watch our video- https://youtu.be/655gNyV3oc4

The focus of the Be the Change-Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. is to support individuals and families during difficult times in their lives and help their stories reach and inspire as many people as possible. This allows members of our community to connect with and help others who they may otherwise have never heard of. We believe in the good in people, and want to help others be a part of the change themselves. Therefore, we’d like to share the story of Cadence Fox, a 13 year old brain cancer survivor who has beat all the odds.

Imagine having a child with cancer, then imagine your child beats that cancer and you realize you are about to undergo a whole new battle. Imagine being a parent who works hard every day that supplies your family with great insurance and then realizing that insurance does not protect you from the medical debt that quickly starts to drown your family. Imagine being unable to rent or buy a home or car because of this medical debt. Then imagine someone telling you, we are going to help you. We are going to build your family a home and give a voice to your nightmare.

Be The Change—Brandy Angel Foundation's focus is to support individuals and families throughout difficult times of their lives and help them reach and inspire as many people as they can with their stories. Since its formation, we have had several images and stories that have received worldwide recognition. We truly believe we have received such a positive response because people truly do want to help others and our efforts allow them to connect with those in need that they would have never otherwise heard about. So we are here to tell you about the Fox Family Build.

Be the Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc.first met Cadence and her family in 2015, right after she was diagnosed with two germinoma brain tumors at just 9 years old and given just 6 months to live. She has inspired and amazed us from that moment on. Her optimism, determination, and gratitude for life is completely awe-inspiring. While Cadence has had no evidence of disease for almost three years, she is plagued with life-long side effects from chemotherapy, radiation, and a daily fear of secondary cancers. She has to have scans and MRIs every three months, spinal taps annually, lifelong daily steroid treatments, and hormone treatments so that she can actually start to grow again and hopefully kick start puberty. Cadence lives with eight brain bleeds that are ticking time bombs, and has constant fatigue, migraines, muscle pain, and difficulty focusing. These are all side effects of not only the cancer Cadence has battled, but also of the treatments she received. This is the daily life of an 13 year-old warrior.

In addition to all of these daily nightmares, the Fox family is now literally drowning in debt and medical bills. Once Cadence was considered to be in remission they became ineligible for Katie Beckett Medicaid and lost coverage. Even with private insurance they now owe over $500,000 in medical bills and their debt continues to grow due to continued medical care for their daughter. The family of five moved into a small apartment to focus their time and money on their daughter’s care, but now this seemingly insurmountable obstacle has damaged their credit and made it impossible for the family to rent a home. We believe that no family should be imprisoned by medical debt. Although we may not be able to help every family in this situation (YET), we knew we had to start by helping the Fox Family. With your help we are going to build this deserving family a home.

There is much left to do. We have purchased the land for the Fox’s new home and are currently raising funds to begin construction. We have raised $20,000 of our $75,000 goal.

Be the Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc.is seeking sponsors to help put this family in a new home THIS year. We can’t do this without your help This foundation is run completely by volunteers with no overhead expenses, allowing 100% of donations to reach families in need.

Thank you for helping us be the positive change and inspire positive change in this world by helping those who have nowhere else to turn. Are you ready to step and be part of the change, too?

Shoot us an email at [email protected] or give us a call 919-274-1771.

Yes! We would like to support Be the Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc and sponsor the Fox Family Build.

Checks should be made payable to:

Be The Change-Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc

1070 Stone Shoals Ct

Watkinsville GA 30677

PayPal donations can be made to [email protected] and BankSouth is accepting donations as well.

Sunday April 28, 2019

4:00PM-5:00PM

114 S. Rock Island Dr, Eatonton GA 31024

We are finally ready to break ground on the Fox Family's future HOME! Please come out and meet the family and celebrate with us as we take the next step on this amazing project to help this deserving family get a forever home and find out how you can help us make this dream a reality. We will be at lot 108 next to 114. 
 

Please email us if you won't be able to attend but would like to find out more about how you can get involved and help us make this family's dream come true!

[email protected]

Willie desperately needs a new kidney. We are asking his family, friends, and community to please help. You can contact Leaanne Whitehead, Transplant Coordinator at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, at 404-605-4605. Time is crucial for Willie to receive a kidney match to prolong his life. Willie’s birthday is 2/01/54 and his blood type is 0+. Thank you so much for your support.

https://www.facebook.com/willieblackwellneedsakidney/?modal=admin_todo_tour

https://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2019/3/willie-blackwell-needs-a-kidney

Update 2
November 1, 2018 DeAnna woke up to having a very traumatic seizure which she was entirely aware of what’s was going on and lost all motor and speach functions her husband was able to get to her in time and get her to the hospital where she later found out her cancer has spread once again now to her brain, she has 4 Tumors one is large and swolllen and what caused the seizure she had! So now things have changed severely in her life, Shawn is now her full time caregiver and she can no longer drive or stay alone at all, since the 1st she has underwent 3 pin point radiation treatments and has one final one tomorrow and also has received her first chemotherapy treatment that will hopefully start to control the cancer which in her recent petscan a week ago showed a very large Mass in her liver and severall more lung masses and a spot on her spine that she’s had 10 radiation Treatments too! DeAnna is one of the strongest , sweetest people I have known and Is still very upbeat and postive and Is very hopeful in her treatment! We are stilI waiting on a biopsy for her liver to see what that says to know what further treatment she could receive. We are asking for all prayer warriors to come together and pray really hard for her and her family as she fights for her life. If you can donate payments will go directly to her pharmacy and rent, gas to and from treatments and groceries! We are trying to ease this financial burden as much as possible so this sweet family can focus on her fighting this cancer! You can also go directly to Her mother at Gigi’s Hair Salon at 132 West Jefferson st Madison GA 30650 she is accepting donation of as well of any kind! Please keep this beautiful family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this very difficult time!
Update 3
Unfortunately we got bad news yesterday! DeAnnna had a Ct scan done and Chemotherapy in office yesterday and we waited on the results because she has been in so much pain in her stomach! We found out the Liver tumor that was only 1.1 inches on the 2nd of November is now 4.8 inches so it’s growing fast and it’s also triple negative we hoped it might have mutated and been another cancer that would be easier to treat but it’s not so now we have to change our course of treatments because not only has the liver mass grown but everything has grown very large especiallly in the lungs! So she is starting a very strong chemo drug called Halavan! It’s going too make her very sick but she is very strong and so positive and needs everyOnes thoughts and prayers to help us get threw this!! Thank you everyone who has helped us already we cannot thank you enough for helping us in our time of need!! Thank you and God bless.

Please join us for the first annual Music for Change festival at Vintage Oaks Farm on November 17! The whole family is welcome to join us for a fun-filled day of music, great food, kid’s activities, auctions, raffles, tailgating, and more. We will start off the day with a meet and greet with the Disney Princesses, so be ready for some great photo ops! Kid’s activities include a dance party, bounce houses, face painting, Home Depot Building Station, and much more. Chops and Hops and Hot Thomas BBQ will be cooking up some delicious food, and for what they don’t have feel free to fill up your own coolers.

This year’s festival will feature live performances from Sarah Zuniga, Tilt the Rapper, Country River Band, Big Heed, LG, Ashie Noey will be joining us all the way from AUSTRALIA, and headlining is the Brandon Sears Band. DJ TIC will be with us all day keeping the music and the party going.

You really won’t want to miss out on some awesome auction items from the best local vendors, including birthday packages, photography sessions, gift cards, jewelry, gym memberships, and more!

The best part about our first annual Music for Change festival is that 100% of the proceeds are going toward our current project, The Fox Family Home Build. We are building a home for a local family whose entire lives have been affected by childhood cancer. Cadence Fox is a 12-year-old brain cancer survivor and has been in remission for three years. Cadence’s family has struggled with insurmountable debt associated with medical bills that keep adding up since her cancer has gone in to remission.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-for-change-tickets-52197104946?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing
 

Be the Change - Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. is getting ready for our big fundraiser Music for Change on November 17, 2017 at Vintage Oaks Farm. To kick it off we have decided to celebrate Halloween by raffling off FOUR Disney Park Hopper Fast Passes! Tickets are $10 for one and $25 for 3. You can contact Brandy Hayes Angel, Jessica Davis, Maureen Alden Kallatsa, Naseem Kazemi Tate or Brooke Pearson Sears to purchase a ticket or message . You can even pay via PayPal [email protected] and receive a photo of your tickets via phone or email. The drawing will be LIVE on Facebook and Instagram on HALLOWEEN October 31, 2018. You do not have to be present to purchase tickets or to WIN! All proceeds for this raffle will go towards our current project, The Fox Family Home Build. Get your tickets NOW and help a family in need AND make your kids the happiest kids in the world this Halloween! WIN WIN!!!

Visit our event page here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100976573630922&set=gm.277608219543425&type=3

#bethechangebaf #musicforchange #musicforchangebaf#foxfamilyhomebuild

*Facebook and Disney are in no way affiliated, sponsored or endorsing this raffle. Entrants cannot sue Facebook, Disney or Be the Change- Brandy Angel Foundation Inc. or hold them liable if anything goes wrong with the raffle or winnings.

Mark your calendars! 

Food, music, dancing, kids zone, auctions, raffles and tailgating! Help us BE THE CHANGE and build a home for a local family of a 12 year old brain cancer survivor while having a great time in the process! More information on tickets, bands, vendors and activities coming soon! Contact us to get involved or volunteer!

https://www.facebook.com/events/271297650174482/?notif_t=plan_user_associated&notif_id=1538135917247564

Come out Saturday August 11th!!! Be The Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc is excited to invite you to our first annual Lake Oconee Super Hero themed Boat Poker Run! We are teaming up with Fishtail Marina and Georgia Butts BBQ to raise money for some local superhero families that have been faced with the nightmare of childhood cancer. The Fox Family and the Scott Family have taught us what real superheros are and we want to show them that we can be THEIR superheroes! Bring your best super hero capes and costumes to show them how much they inspire us all! 

Boat Entry- $35 (includes T-shirt)
(Register on Facebook, fees due day of the event.) 

~ Boats will leave Fishtail Marina at 4:00pm
~ Arrive at Georgia Butts at 5:30pm
~Music by Brandon Sears Band at Georgia Butts BBQ from 5:30-?

Raffle Items and T-shirts will be for sale at Georgia Butts all evening. 

A portion of all the proceeds from Georgia Butts will be donated to our families.

http://www.morgancountycitizen.com/…/change-fundraising-fo…/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/bethechangebaf/photos/?tab=album&album_id=818769381664343

Thank you so much Wes Brawner Events for making this video for us so we can get Cadence Fox - Cadence's Journey’s story out there! We can change this family’s story together! Please share and give if you can! Let’s raise awareness for childhood cancer and the devastation medical debt is leaving all over this country!! We can be the change! #bethechangebaf Tara Gaw Fox Brandy Hayes Angel Brandy Angel Photography, LLC. 
 

https://youtu.be/655gNyV3oc4

You might also recognize Carly from two years ago. It is hard to believe she is the same little girl! We are so incredibly proud of her completion of treatment and we pray she continues to strive! Here is an update from her Mom. "In June 2015, Carly was a few months shy of two years old. Suddenly, she started walking with a limp. We were very concerned, so I made an appointment with her pediatrician. Once we got to the doctor, they immediately ordered a blood test and x-ray. The x-ray showed no problems, but something was wrong with the blood test. Her platelets were very low. They repeated the test to be sure, but once again, very low platelets. Our pediatrician told us that he suspected she may have Leukemia. We rushed to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, where a pediatric oncology team ran tests on Carly. In a few hours, they confirmed that Carly had Leukemia. Our world came crashing down. I never imagined I would ever hear that my baby has cancer. The next day, doctors were able to confirm the type of Leukemia as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, the most common type of childhood cancer. Carly started chemotherapy immediately. Treatment for leukemia includes oral chemotherapy, IV chemotherapy, and frequent spinal taps where chemotherapy drugs are entered into the cerebrospinal fluid. On October 24, 2017 Carly finished her treatment!!! It was a long two and a half years. We are so thankful that Carly is growing and thriving. She is such a sweet and loving girl, who we think, is one of the bravest little girls ever. Carly loves baby dolls, loves to play outside, ride in Daddy's truck, and boss us around! She is getting monthly check ups at the Aflac Cancer Center at Egleston. The treatment Carly received is really tough on the body. She is working to overcome leg muscle weakness caused by the chemotherapy. She will forever be monitored for late side effects from treatment such as heart and lung function and cognitive effects. We will always worry about her health and pray that cancer never returns. Our lives are forever changed. We promise to stand with those who are fighting cancer, and for those who lost their life to this horrible disease." 

You might remember Maybin from our first Fantasy Shoot 2 years ago. It's hard to believe that's the same little girl we saw Sunday. We are so proud of her and how far she has come! This is an update from her mom. "74,822,400 seconds,1,247,040 minutes, 20,784 hours, 866 days. Maybin did it. She completed her treatment for B-cell ALL. We started our journey October 13th, 2015 when we got a call to go straight to the emergency room. We will finish by taking her last pill on February 24th, 2018. Today is her last IV Chemo at the hospital and she'll get to ring the end of treatment bell! We are ecstatic. She is thrilled! We are fortunate, some kids don't get to have this day. Unlike some might think, this is not the finish line, it is merely a milestone. Granted, it is a HUGE milestone, but she will still have years of monitoring to make sure it doesn't come back and a ton of side effects that will last a lifetime from the chemo she received. We are going to celebrate this milestone with so much joy because it is a great accomplishment. She has been more than strong. We love her and are so proud of our little princess!"

This sweet baby girl had her chemo treatment on FRIDAY and came to meet her unicorn on Sunday! I'm pretty sure Mimi the Unicorn loved her just as much as Eleanor loved her. Thank you so much Vanessa Jones for bringing Mimi and Elizabeth Ann Florist for making a special flower crown JUST for Eleanor. We are so grateful to everyone who helps us bring some magic to these amazing kiddos. Baby Eleanor (Baby Lady) was diagnosed with “Acute Leukemia” on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017. Here is her story: Eleanor is only 19 months old and about two weeks ago we noticed her eyes changed and became puffy like she suffered from allergies. My mom pleaded we take her to the doctor and we manage to get an appointment where the Nurse Practitioner ruled it our as a cold, and allergies. After medications she looked better for a couple days, and three days later her eyes looked puffier, and like someone had put yellow eye shadow over her eyes. I knew something was wrong. I rushed her to the E.R. where did they and x-ray and it was ruled out as pneumonia. That was scary enough. We gave her the dosage of medication and she never improved through the day. Her breathing became a concern and once again my mom asked me to call the doctor. Because I mention to her I was not sure. When we called the E.R. they said to bring her back. When we got there I thought it was going to be an in and out type of visit. Until the RN mention her how she did not want to concern me, but her heart looked enlarged in the x-ray. They asked to redo the test and I had a doctor come speak to me, about he would like more test. My heart was broken, nothing felt great about the night. Not the wing, not the rain, not anything. Thankfully mom came and met me while my husband stayed home with our other 3 children who were sick from the flu, and there was no point in dragging everyone out for what was supposed to be in and out. After blood test the doctor said Baby Eleanor was very sick and severely anemic, her heart was enlarge and the cloud in her left lung looked to be something very serious. While he walked out to get us an ambulance Eleanor did not respond well to fluids and she had a reaction that almost looked as she had just had a stroke. Once again mom jumped into action after I pleaded with her that something was seriously wrong. Baby Eleanor never cries like that and the doctor knew something was wrong and tried to get us a pilot to fly us to the Scottish Rite-Children’s Hospital in Atlanta. Due to weather conditions that requested was denied, but thankfully a team of paramedics came just 15 minutes later which seemed like 4 hours, but it was just atmosphere in the room. They rushed us to Atlanta where more test were done, and a doctor walked in to share the horrible news. How Eleanor had “Acute Leukemia” and needed to be in PICU until further test. She has been diagnosed with “T-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia” (T-ALL) and we have a long way to recovery. I will remain the hospital with the baby for the next 4 weeks, and hope to see my other children in husband every weekend as we learned to deal with chemo, strategies that work better for Ellie’s health, and have the strength to be here for each other as we deal with this tragedy. Please pray for us, especially Eleanor.

Donate through eirther Go Fund Me https://www.gofundme.com/bravebabylady

OR through YOU Caring https://www.youcaring.com/thegustafsonssallyrichardeleanorbravebabylady-776828/update/622666?fb_action_ids=10213068805861192&fb_action_types=youcaringcom%3Ashare

Also you can make a care basket or order some items on this list for Baby Eleanor. Link: http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/3MHEK1AOPY4PX 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fox-family-home-build-fundraiser-chicken-dinner-poker-run-tickets-43486506311

March 24th 2018 

$10 Chicken Dinner Plates served from 11:00am-3pm 
Dine in or Carry Out 
$20 Registration for Bike Poker Run 1:00pm (Lunch included)
Winner gets the $300 purse 
Prize for Best Bike chosen by Cadence Fox 

Contact us for Tickets and Registration 

Located at Kroger at 

1962 N Columbia Street

Milledgeville, GA

I know a lot of you know the story of Cadence Fox. Be The Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. first met Cadence and her family in 2015, right after she was diagnosed with two germinoma brain tumors at just 9 years old. She has inspired and amazed us at the Brandy Angel Foundation from that moment on. Her optimism, determination and gratitude for life is completely awe inspiring. She has had no evidence of disease for almost two years. What people don’t realize is that even though Cadence is in remission she is plagued with life long side effects from chemotherapy, radiation and a daily fear of secondary cancers. She also has to have scans and MRIs every three months, spinal taps annually, lifelong daily steroid treatments, hormone treatments so that she can actually start to grow again and hopefully kick start puberty. She lives with 8 brain bleeds that are ticking time bombs. She has constant fatigue, migraines, muscle pain and difficulty focusing. These are all side effect of not only the cancer Cadence had but the treatments she received. This is the daily life of an 11 year old warrior. 

In addition to all of these daily nightmares this family has faced they are also literally drowning in medical bills and debt. Once Cadence was considered to be in remission they no longer were eligible for Katie Beckett Medicaid, and even with private insurance they now owe over $500,000 in just medical bills. Cadence’s Mother had to quit her job at Lake Country Pharmacy when she was diagnosed in order to care for her and get her to treatments. However, now that she is back to school full time both parents are able to work again. Her father Jason has worked long and hard to make sure they were taken care of. But with the size of these ever growing medical bills they can never get out of this debt or the small apartment the family of 5 were forced to move into since the initial diagnosis. They have been unable to even rent a home with the state their credit is in. Cadence has blamed herself for this and we just could not allow this precious girl to hold that on her shoulders on top of everything else and after a yearlong search for a solution we finally found an answer to our prayers. 

We are so excited to announce that with the addition of Andy Schulze to our foundation we are finally going to be able to build this amazing & deserving family a HOME!!! 
We are blessed to say we have already found our land and closed on 2/9/2018! We are so incredibly grateful to our generous donors and to each of you that have come out to our fundraisers. There will be many more to come so please be looking out for them. 

Ground Breaking will be scheduled soon and we hope you all show up to offer your support to this family! We as a community are going to have to come together to make this dream come true for this family! 

I know this community has a huge heart for not only this family but also a desire to stand up and bring awareness to this ever growing epidemic of Childhood Cancer. We can be leaders in bringing awareness and positive change to the serious issues these children and their families face. Awareness to the outdated treatments these children are given that cause horrific life long side effects, we can help give notice to the shameful lack of funding that is given to the research of childhood cancer and hopefully together we can one day help prevent these cancers all together. 
Be The Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. was founded on one simple philosophy, we are each given a gift, no matter what that gift is, no matter how big or how small you may think it is, you can use that gift to give back to those in need. By doing that you can be the change our community needs and the change our world needs. So I ask you to stop thinking about it and just do it. Reach out and make a difference the best way you can with the gift you were given. 
We will need a lot of assistance in the months to come so please contact me if you have any interest in volunteering your time or even your ideas to [email protected]. 

Donations can be dropped off at any Bank South location in the name of Be The Change-Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. 
or mailed to 
Be The Change-Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc 
100 Dickens Ln
Bishop, GA 30621

We are so grateful to every single person that made this possible and we can not wait to start the next part of this journey where we will all come together and build this family the home they deserve! Please follow our page to stay updated on Fox Family Home Build and go to www.bethechangebaf.com to see how you can get involved! 

Tara Gaw FoxCadence Fox - Cadence's Journey Brandy Hayes Angel Andy Schulze #foxfamilyhomebuild #bethechangebaf

Once again Be The Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc is working together with Catrett & Associates Casting Company to bring some joy and love to local families in need this Holiday Season. We are accepting all gifts for all age groups, not only for children but the parents as well. Think about every day items that parents could use to make their lives easier for themselves and their children.  Every year, as the holidays approach, families around the world gather together to celebrate with festive decorations and also an exchange of gifts. What’s very easy to forget during these times of feasting and celebrating is the fact that there are so many families in our very own communities that are struggling just to put food on the table for their kids. We want to help those families remember what the holidays truly mean. We want to show them the spirit of giving, compassion and love. Let's put something under the trees of these families that might not have anything there otherwise. We want to give gifts that give back to not only the receiver but the giver. This year we are so honored to be working with local organizations that will hand deliver these gifts to families in need. If you would like to donate gifts please contact us for more information. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAu3bn0OcDQ ~ This was last Year's Christmas Toy Drive that was hosted by Egelston Hospital and it was truly an amazing exeprinece. We hope this year will be just as successful at bringing joy and love to those who need it most. Thank you Wes Brawner for capturing these beautiful memories in such an amazing video. 

I know a lot of you know the story of Cadence Fox. Be The Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. first met Cadence and her family in 2015, right after she was diagnosed with two germinoma brain tumors at just 9 years old. She has inspired and amazed us at the Brandy Angel Foundation from that moment on. Her optimism, determination and gratitude for life is completely awe inspiring. She has had no evidence of disease for almost two years. What people don’t realize is that even though Cadence is in remission she is plagued with life long side effects from chemotherapy, radiation and a daily fear of secondary cancers. She also has to have scans and MRIs every three months, spinal taps annually, lifelong daily steroid treatments, hormone treatments so that she can actually start to grow again and hopefully kick start puberty. She lives with 8 brain bleeds that are ticking time bombs. She has constant fatigue, migraines, muscle pain and difficulty focusing. These are all side effect of not only the cancer Cadence had but the treatments she received. This is the daily life of an 11 year old warrior.

In addition to all of these daily nightmares this family has faced they are also literally drowning in medical bills and debt. Once Cadence was considered to be in remission they no longer were eligible for Katie Beckett Medicaid, and even with private insurance they now owe over $500,000 in just medical bills. Cadence’s Mother had to quit her job at Lake Country Pharmacy when she was diagnosed in order to care for her and get her to treatments. However, now that she is back to school full time both parents are able to work again. Her father Jason has worked long and hard to make sure they were taken care of. But with the size of these ever growing medical bills they can never get out of this debt or the small apartment the family of 5 were forced to move into since the initial diagnosis. They have been unable to even rent a home with the state their credit is in. Cadence has blamed herself for this and we just could not allow this precious girl to hold that on her shoulders on top of everything else and after a yearlong search for a solution we finally found an answer to our prayers.

We are so excited to announce that with the addition of Andy Schulze to our foundation we are finally going to be able to build this amazing & deserving family a HOME!!!

We are blessed to say we have already found our land and will be closing soon! We are so incredibly grateful to our generous donors and to each of you that have come out to our fundraisers. There will be many more to come so please be looking out for them.

Ground Breaking will be scheduled soon and we hope you all show up to offer your support to this family! We as a community are going to have to come together to make this dream come true for this family!

I know this community has a huge heart for not only this family but also a desire to stand up and bring awareness to this ever growing epidemic of Childhood Cancer. We can be leaders in bringing awareness and positive change to the serious issues these children and their families face. Awareness to the outdated treatments these children are given that cause horrific life long side effects, we can help give notice to the shameful lack of funding that is given to the research of childhood cancer and hopefully together we can one day help prevent these cancers all together.

Be The Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. was founded on one simple philosophy, we are each given a gift, no matter what that gift is, no matter how big or how small you may think it is, you can use that gift to give back to those in need. By doing that you can be the change our community needs and the change our world needs. So I ask you to stop thinking about it and just do it. Reach out and make a difference the best way you can with the gift you were given.

We will need a lot of assistance in the months to come so please contact me if you have any interest in volunteering your time or even your ideas to [email protected].

Donations can be dropped off at any Bank South location in the name of Be The Change-Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc.

or mailed to

Be The Change-Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc

100 Dickens Ln

Bishop, GA 30621

#bethechangebaf #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #gogold #foxfamilyhomebuild

When the princesses of Be the Change - Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. first met Jesmin she was just a few months old and on the AFLAC floor. Jesmin was diagnosed with Stage 3 Intermediate-Risk Neuroblastoma on December 15th, 2016 at just 2 months of age. There was a time not long ago that they didn't think Jesmin would ever leave the hospital. But she did, and yesterday she celebrated her 1st birthday. We were so honored and excited to be there to celebrate with her friends, family and even the doctors and staff that helped save her life. Her journey with cancer is not over and we all need to do our best to help fund research and spread awareness for childhood cancer so that we can do our best to help her and other warriors fight for their lives so they can have all the birthday parties they deserve. Thank you so much for everyone that came and helped make this birthday extra special for Jesmin. Jesmin's Journey Jesmin's 1st bday! Brandy Hayes Angel Jessica Davis Megan Alden Rainwater Maureen Alden Kallatsa Isabella Fox Julia Himmelsbach Smith Jessica Curtright Debra Kitchens Adams thank you for the amazing cupcakes. Lanier High School Band thank you so much for coming and playing Happy Birthday for this sweet girl! #bethechangebaf #gogold #childhoodcancerawareness

This sweet girl is Ava Nicole Voyles and she has anaplastic ependymoma. Her journey with cancer started on her 10month old birthday (9/11/14) she had not been sick once since her birth but her family noticed that she was tilting her head quite a bit and took her in to see her peds dr. and she thought it was a stiff neck,she gave them things to try but they didn't work. Her family finally got sent to CHOA and after all the test xrays, mri they came and told them it was a mass in her brain. They did surgery 2 days later and then told the family that she had stage 3 anaplastic ependymoma, it is a rare brain and spine cancer. They did get all of the tumor during surgery but there was a very small spot that they couldn't get to that they really didn't think it was cancer. Ava wasn't old enough for radiation when she was first diagnosed so they started her on chemo to by time for proton radiation. After 2 months of chemo they did Ava's next scans. They noticed the spot they weren't concerned with had grown. So on New Year's Eve Ava had her second brain surgery. At this point Ava in 3 years old and has had 7 brain surgeries and 1 spinal surgery but currently has no evidence of the cancer that she has fought so hard to overcome. I know she will fight just as hard to overcome any obstacle she faces in her future! She is such an inspiration and hero to everyone that meets her. #teamava #cancersucks #gogold #bethechangebaf

https://www.facebook.com/OwlfightwithyouAva/

We have very exciting news for the Fox Family Home Build! We have found the PERFECT land for the family and we were given a very generous price on it from People's Bank. We just need $2500 more in SIXTY DAYS to close. I know we can do this with your help! Please offer and donation you can, anything would help us take the next step to break ground! Donations can be made out to Be the Change - Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. and mailed to 1201 Whispering Lakes Trl, Madison GA 30650 or dropped off at Bank South in Lake Oconee. Please call us for more information. (919)274-1771. Let's break ground by Thanksgiving! No better reason to be thankful!

From Chops & Hops​- We are joining forces with The Southern Brewing Company & Scofflaw Brewing Co. to bring you a dinner like no other! We will be offering 6 food courses & 10 different brews for a spectacular evening! 

$75 per seat. Includes 6 courses, 10 beers, tax and tip. 

The event will be sponsored by our friends at EHDH law firm which not only allows us to donate $10 from every ticket sale to the Be the Change Brandy Angel Foundation, we will also be offering cool local raffle items throughout the evening. 

Seats will be limited so call the restaurant soon to guarantee your spot! 
706-310-1101

#bethechangebaf #chopsandhops #beer #thethomascottongin

Watch the videos here https://youtu.be/mEbsUJTVVLY  & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTaEv49FrB0

I know a lot of you know the story of Cadence Fox. Be The Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. first met Cadence and her family in 2015, right after she was diagnosed with two germinoma brain tumors at just 9 years old. She has inspired and amazed us at the Brandy Angel Foundation from that moment on. Her optimism, determination and gratitude for life is completely awe inspiring. She has had no evidence of disease for almost two years. What people don’t realize is that even though Cadence is in remission she is plagued with life long side effects from chemotherapy, radiation and a daily fear of secondary cancers. She also has to have scans and MRIs every three months, spinal taps annually, lifelong daily steroid treatments, hormone treatments so that she can actually start to grow again and hopefully kick start puberty. She lives with 8 brain bleeds that are ticking time bombs. She has constant fatigue, migraines, muscle pain and difficulty focusing. These are all side effect of not only the cancer Cadence had but the treatments she received. This is the daily life of an 11 year old warrior.

In addition to all of these daily nightmares this family has faced they are also literally drowning in medical bills and debt. Once Candace was considered to be in remission they no longer were eligible for Katie Beckett Medicaid, and even with private insurance they now owe over $500,000 in just medical bills. Cadence’s Mother had to quit her job at Lake Country Pharmacy when she was diagnosed in order to care for her and get her to treatments. However, now that she is back to school full time both parents are able to work again. Her father Jason has worked long and hard to make sure they were taken care of. But with the size of these ever growing medical bills they can never get out of this debt or the small apartment the family of 5 were forced to move into since the initial diagnosis. They have been unable to even rent a home with the state their credit is in. Cadence has blamed herself for this and we just could not allow this precious girl to hold that on her shoulders on top of everything else and after a yearlong search for a solution we finally found an answer to our prayers. We are so excited to announce that we are partnering up with Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties, Andy Schulze and YOU, the Lake Oconee Community to build this amazing & deserving family a HOME!!!

The first step is to find a piece of land in Eatonton, GA that we can attain for this family as a tax deductible donation or at a discounted price. If you have a piece of land you could donate or have any definite information on any potential land please contact Andy Schulze at (478) 251-3752.  We as a community are going to have to come together to make this dream come true for this family!

I know this community has a huge heart for not only this family but also a desire to stand up and bring awareness to this ever growing epidemic of Childhood Cancer. We can be leaders in bringing awareness and positive change to the serious issues these children and their families face. Awareness to the outdated treatments these children are given that cause horrific life long side effects, we can help give notice to the shameful lack of funding that is given to the research of childhood cancer and hopefully together we can one day help prevent these cancers all together.

Be The Change- Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. was founded on one simple philosophy, we are each given a gift, no matter what that gift is, no matter how big or how small you may think it is, you can use that gift to give back to those in need. By doing that you can be the change our community needs and the change our world needs. So I ask you to stop thinking about it and just do it. Reach out and make a difference the best way you can with the gift you were given.

We will need a lot of assistance in the months to come so please contact me if you have any interest in volunteering your time or even your ideas to [email protected]. Donations can be made to Bank South in the name of Be The Change-Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. 

 Please share share share!!! #bethechangebaf #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #gogold #foxfamilyhomebuild

https://www.facebook.com/bethechangebaf/

Our Daddy Needs a Kidney - Team Hendrix 
I first met the Hendrix family several years ago and heard their amazing and heart breaking story. We have been waiting as patiently as possible for Brandon Hendrix to finally get on the transplant list and today is the day!!!! He is now eligible to get his life saving kidney so he can get busy taking care of his amazing family and watching and helping his beautiful daughter continue to achieve things as an austitic child that they never thought she would. If you feel moved to help him PLEASE call to see if you are a match for Brandon and at the very least SHARE SHARE SHARE his story so it can reach the his life saving hero!
PLEASE CALL 404-605-4605 and ask for Leanne Whitehead to see how you can begin your testing. 

Brandon is a 32 year old married father from the Athens, Georgia, area. He recently had to start on dialysis and get onto the kidney transplant list. Brandon and Donna have been married for 9 years. He has a 18-year-old stepdaughter and he has a 7-year-old Autistic special needs daughter. He is the breadwinner in their family because his wife was injured during the birth of their youngest daughter and has had a lot of medical issues since then. We need our daddy to be around for a long long time! Please help us find him a kidney! Thank you! 
#bethechangebaf #donatelife #shareyourspare #organdonation#kidneystories #kidneydonationhttps

https://www.facebook.com/gotapairshare/

https://www.facebook.com/bethechangebaf/

https://www.facebook.com/bethechangebaf/photos/a.397197657154853.1073741828.397195620488390/636044449936838/?type=3&theater

Hi my name is Monica.I am 35 years old and I was diagnosed with ESRD on January 14, 1999 at age of 17 years old due to Hypertension that I didn't know i had. I currently attend dialysis on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. In 2001 I received a Kidney Transplant that lasted five years. After it failed I immediately began testing at Emory to be listed again and began to train for Peritoneal Dialysis and did it for three years after catching peritonitis I returned to the clinic where i currently receive treatment as of today i been waiting for a Kidney 10 years. I really would like to began living a more normal life so I can council and educate other patients that are on and new to dialysis. I currently talk with many of the new patients at my clinic and other patients that need my advice on things they are dealing with while on dialysis. In my spare time i usually check on patients that are sick in the hospital and follow up with patients I have talked to I also participate in a mentoring program. If you interested in getting tested follow instructions on the picture and don't worry if your blood type don't match ask Emory about cross match program. when you read this story please share this page.

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/features/bam-pow-meet-the-young-teen-from-touching-superhero-photoshoot/411515916

http://www.fox5atlanta.com/good-day/236836467-story

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2017/02/20/georgia-boy-battling-cancer-learns-to-fly-like-superman.html?intcmp=latestnews

http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/21767-a-true-superhero-12-year-old-boy-battling-leukemia-gets-special-superman-photo-shoot

http://www.themonitordaily.com/leukemia/213831/

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/features/bam-pow-meet-the-young-teen-from-touching-superhero-photoshoot/411515916​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​

I was recently reminded of a promise I made to Robert when he was in the hospital last year. He was going to miss our fantasy photo session because he had gotten admitted to the hospital yet again. He had requested being superman and I had gotten the costume just for him and he was really upset about the whole situation. I told him it would be fine, and that when he got out I would make him fly like superman for his photo session. I intended to make good of that promise but I had no idea how or when I would be able to. Thanks to some amazing friends and some new friends with huge hearts, we did just that.

Robert has had yet another eventful year since he was initially diagnosed with leukemia at 4 years of age. When I saw this update from his mom on Facebook I knew I had to do something to bring as much joy to his life as I could and when his mom gave me the green light to make it awesome I could not wait to see how it all played out. 

"Finding the right words for a post like this is tricky. Too little information and people jump to their own conclusions (panic) or press for more. Too much information and people still panic, and what you share is bouncing around everywhere. So, I’ll do my best to find the balance.

Robert had his 60 day post t-cell bone marrow biopsy and spinal tap. It all initially came back clear with no evidence of any Leukemia cells. However a few weeks later we learned that he no longer has any of the fighter tcells remaining in his body; the trial has failed. The Seattle group has provided the stats to our Atlanta team to assist us in developing a plan to move forward. Their studies indicate that any child who loses the cells so soon after transplant will relapse, fast and aggressive. All agree that Roberts relapse is imminent, but we can't know exactly how severe it will be. We will likely use chemo to keep the cancer at a manageable level as we enter the next treatment option, whatever that may be. 

So, what now? We are currently attempting to get in the Car-t immunotherapy trial at CHOP. Although it’s similar to Seattle’s, it’s different enough that it might work or at the very least work longer. If this fails, then a Bone Marrow Transplant would be discussed and that my friends would be our all in. A BMT is not a great option for Robert due to the severe liver damage from years of chemo, but if needed a less toxic version may be considered.

Our hope will never falter, though now it seems more guarded. Dr.s are now now kindly suggesting that we enjoy the time that we have with our Son. We no longer talk about statistics or numbers with others. We just keep working the problem the best that we can. We feel as if the cure that we we so desperately want for Robert is quickly slipping from our grasp, but we are trying to remain hopeful that we will still win. As of right now Robert feels great and we plan to take advantage of that and enjoy every second of every day. We will never give up!

Robert is happy, upbeat and enjoying everyday. Negativity or sadness is not a part of his life right now. He is currently enjoying a rare break from pain and discomfort. He looks and feels better than he has in a few years. Per his request, all he knows is that more treatment is ahead. If you happen to cross paths with him, keeps your tears to yourself...he'll likely only have laughs to exchange with you for a while anyway."

After Shannon reminded me of my promise we began thinking of ways to get this special boy off the ground. Then as fate would have it, I got a well timed text message from Jamie Catrett asking what I was up to. Jamie has a casting company called Catrett and Associates Casting that hosted a fundraiser for us last year. Since then we have become friends and she and her employees have worked together with Be The Change-BAF on several events. When I told her the story she immediately replied, "Give me 10 minutes." Before I knew it I had Hollywood Stuntmen laying out a plan that would make dreams come true for Robert. Within a week we were all together at Southeast Movie & Stunt House and getting to witness Robert fulfilling a lifelong wish of being a super hero. I have never seen him filled with so much joy and energy. His smiles will forever be in my heart, as well as all the people that came together to make this happen. I immediately got on youtube to learn some new editing techniques to bring the hero to life. 

Thank you all so much for using your gift to make a dream come true. You truly are the change this world needs. 

Follow Robert's journey at https://www.facebook.com/Rathat04/

See more photos at our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pg/bethechangebaf/photos/?tab=album&album_id=628875423987074 and a link to the full album http://www.brandyangelphotography.com/p618328535

A link to the videos by Wes Brawner (Pennywhistle Creative) https://youtu.be/ECRwMQXVRwk , https://youtu.be/ECRwMQXVRwk

Stay tuned to Fox5 Atlanta for coverage by Ron Gant! 

Ever since we went to Children's Hospital of Atlanta for Christmas I keep thinking about the older patients that we met that day. They seemed so lonely and bored. Since most patients are younger the programs at the hospital are veered mostly toward them. Admittedly our fantasy photo session that we are planning to do will be geared mostly toward the younger patients as well. I have been racking my brain to find a way to do something for the older patients. What I have come up with is a workshop to teach them photography and editing at the hospital. We could even allow parents to come if space allows. 

My goal would be to get 3 more Canon Rebel DSLR cameras with SD cards and 4 MacBook Pro Notebooks that have lightroom software. I would also like to get a Canon Photo Printer and USBs so they can keep their images they work on at the workshop. A nice fantasy backdrop with basic lighting set up and props would be needed as well. 
I could get everything we need for right at $5000 and we would be able to maintain the workshop bi-monthly at that point at both Egleston and Scottish Rite. If you would like to donate any goods that are needed you are more than welcome to do so, please contact [email protected] to arrange details.

Please help us achieve this goal for 2017. Thank you all so much!

A link to our Facebook Fundraiser. https://www.facebook.com/donate/10154940110783875/

You make this happen. Please keep sharing our features stories and help those I need of living kidney donors find their matches and help raise awareness for childhood cancer and it's grossly underfunded research. Just clicking share may seem small to you but look at the good it has done in ONE year! Donating to the right people who fund research is crucial, CURE Childhood Cancer, St. Jude, Be The Match.org. Sign up to be a bone marrow donor! It's so easy! You don't even have to leave your home! They send the test to you and you send it right back! SAVE A LIFE! www.bethematch.org, www.dkms.org, just a couple to start. Donate BLOOD, donate PLATELETS or PLASMA. Continue to PRAY for them all. YOU have the power to make a difference, even if it's just a well placed smile to a stranger. Don't ever forget that. You will be giving something just as valuable to yourself I promise. 

Let's make 2017 even bigger and better. We have so many more opportunities that have opened up for Be The Change-BAF this year and we hope next year will bring about amazing change for those in need. You are a big part of that, just by being on our website and reading these stories and caring about these people. We are the change the world needs, and our ripples we create grown and exceed all our expectations. Be kind, be humble, be loving, be the change. 

It is with the utmost excitement that I get to announce that Be the Change - Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. is partnering up with AFLAC Cancer Center at CHOA @ Egleston! Our services will be offered to patients as well as participating in special events with the hospital! We are so honored and so amazed at the possibilities that are in front of us.

December 15th is our first special event! I am working with the one and only Santa Clause to offer free photos for the the in-house patients on the AFLAC floor. There are 26 kiddos in patient on the floor and we would LOVE to deliver a BIG BAG of toys to all of them. If you would like to donate anything please look at the list of things attached below and you can mail it directly it to me or call  me to arrange pick up and I will gladly do so.  

Be The Change-Brandy Angel Foundation 
1201 Whispering Lakes Trl
Madison GA 30650
(919)274-1771

Any leftover gifts will be given to the Hospital's gift giving program. This year each in-patient gets to go to the shop and pick out Christmas Gifts, the amount depends on how many we can get donated. 

Please help us make this a Holiday season these children will remember with GOOD memories! 

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST SO WE CAN REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE!

Holiday Wish List 2016
Thank you for your interest in donating toys for patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta! Your generous gifts will help brighten the holidays for patients from birth through age 21. 
 All toys and clothing must be brand new (purchased within the last 30 days).
 Please do not gift wrap donations.
 Toys must be sturdy and non-toxic. Avoid toys that can break, leaving sharp edges.
 Fire regulations prohibit electrical, spark-producing, or friction-producing toys.
 Toys promoting violence are not appropriate.
 Toys with numerous small parts that require close supervision are not appropriate.
 Rubber/latex balloons are prohibited.
 Glitter of any form (glitter glue, glitter stickers, glitter paper, etc.) is prohibited.
Infants and Toddlers (0-3 years)
Rattles, Teething rings, Stackable rings, Sound and light soothers, Shape stackers, Gym mats, Crib activity center with music (no cloth), Cause and effect toys, Activity walkers, Baby Einstein toys and movies, Toy phones and cameras, Sound books, Building blocks (rubber), Pop up toys, Little people, Unisex onesies/clothing, Light up toys, Baby blankets, Bubbles and Batteries.
Pre-School (4-6 years)
Barbie’s, Baby dolls, Sounds books, Little People, Action figures, Medical play kits, Tool sets, Preschool learning lap-top,
Play kitchen and food, Remote control cars, Play-doh and Play-doh utensils, Toy phones and cameras, Light-spinners, , Puzzles, Sticker books, Cars, Trucks, Paint brushes, Plastic animals (zoo, ocean), Mr. Potato Head, Magna Doodle, Small musical instruments, Coloring books, Board games (Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Operation, Pretty Pretty Princess, Matching Games), Markers, Duplo blocks (large Legos), Unisex clothing (t-shirts, pants and pajamas) and Batteries.
School Age (7-12 years)
Legos, Colored pencils, Markers, Puzzles (300 pieces or less), Jenga, Board games (Monopoly Junior, Sorry, Connect Four, Guess Who, Trouble, Apples to Apples, Checkers), Nerf toys, Jewelry kits, New release DVDs, Playing cards (UNO, regular cards), Action figures, Superhero toys, Hot wheels, Nintendo 2DS or 3DS, Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox ONE - games and remotes for all game consoles, Paint brushes, “I-Spy” books, Small musical instruments, Unisex clothing (t-shirts, pants and pajamas) and Batteries.
Adolescents and young adults (13-21 years)
Craft kits, Advanced coloring books, Advanced lego kits, Ear buds and headphones, $10 Gift cards (iTunes, Target, Wal-Mart), Loom bracelet kits with extra rubber bands, Large sized fleece blankets, Jenga, Playing cards (UNO, regular cards), Board games (Scattegories, Rummikub, Monopoly, LIFE), Picture frames for decorating, Sharpies, Decorative duct tape, Fine-tip paint brushes, Canvases, Hair accessories, Bath n’ Body works products, Footballs, Basketballs, Soccer balls, Pro and College sports gear, Journals, Nail polish, Phone chargers (iPhone, Samsung), New release DVDs, Nintendo 2DS or 3DS, Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox ONE - games and remotes for all game consoles, Unisex clothing (t-shirts, pants, pajamas) and Batteries.

I am willing to bet that you did not know that infants and small children in need of a donor kidney achieve the best results from receiving a kidney from an ADULT donor. I didn't know myself when I began on this journey and I am so happy that Hazel's story can help educate more people on the need of adult donors for children.

This beautiful little girl is Hazel Niemitalo, she is just 16 months old and SHE NEEDS A KIDNEY.

Hazel Kate Niemitalo was born on April 4, 2015. She began her life as any normal baby until she began having seizure activity just a few days after birth. She was brought to Wake Forest Baptist medical center in Winston Salem where she was diagnosed with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome of the Finnish Type. Hazel's kidneys don't properly filter proteins because of a mutation in one aspect of her kidneys.

A kidney Transplant it the ONLY option for a somewhat normal life. 

Hazel story was sent to me a year ago, shortly after her birth but we had to wait for her to meet certain criteria for her to receive a kidney. She lived in the hospital for a majority of her life. Well now she is officially on the transplant list. Seems like a huge deal, and it is because she needs to be listed just to be eligible for a transplant but she will most likely not use a kidney from the donor list since that is from a deceased person and a living donor is the most effective option for her. Since she needs to have both of her kidneys removed prior to her transplant and then be put on dialysis. They are hoping for a living donor so that they can schedule the nephrectomy (removal of kidneys) and not have her on dialysis while waiting for a kidney. She is on the list as inactive since they are planning to use a living donor. However if the time comes that they have to use the list they will have the option available and can make her active. Hazel's mother was not a match for her BUT she has been accepted for the paired donation program. ​

What is a Paired Kidney Exchange?

Since 2001, Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center has participated in paired kidney exchanges. A paired kidney exchange, also known as a “kidney swap” occurs when a living kidney donor is incompatible with the recipient, and so exchanges kidneys with another donor/recipient pair.

Two live donor transplants would occur. Suppose there were two donor/recipient pairs, Donor and Recipient 1 and Donor and Recipient 2:

• Donor 1 would give a kidney to Recipient 2.
• Donor 2 would then give a kidney to Recipient 1.

This kidney paired donation transplant enables two incompatible recipients to receive healthy, more compatible kidneys. All medically eligible donor/recipient pairs may participate in the paired kidney exchange program.

In order to be tested all you need to do is call the number on the sign (336)716-0548 and let them know you are interested in being tested for Hazel Niemitalo Date of Birth 4/4/2015. They will give you all the information you need. Thank you so much! 

Be The Change-Brandy Angel Foundation needs to ask you for your support.  Our organization assists individuals in our community and without donation from individuals like you, this would not be possible. Donations help sustain our organization and benefit the community which we serve. 

We are counting on your support. Remember that your gift is tax-deductible! Donations can be made to our paypal account (you must be signed into your paypal for this link to work).

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=KnChbA_fs49dn6Hs3IT2DHCEaFGWyoFI5wf6siUnWdo-34dACKTp00Vq45e&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8de2b8031b89187c030b37e57608011f58

or checks can be mailed to: 

Be The Change-Brandy Angel Foundation

1201 Whispering Lakes Trail

Madison, GA 30650 

Please follow our website, of course this blog and facebook page to read and share the stories of our amazing features, as well as see if you could possibly be the answer they are looking for.  You can also stay informed about any exciting fundraisers and events we have coming up. As well as purchase Be The Change- Brandy Angel Foundation T-Shirts. 

www.bethechangebaf.com

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http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog

Thank you in advance for your support!

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https://searchingforbabystancill.com

We are Shane and Ashley Stancill and we are currently searching for “OUR” baby! We want to share our story in hopes that someone somewhere will lead us to the baby that God has waiting for us.

After trying to get pregnant for 2-3 years on our own, my husband Shane and I decided we needed to go to a fertility Specialist in Atlanta for help. Our first visit seemed like a typical doctor visit until the doctor wanted to do a physical exam on me. 2 minutes into the exam, the doctor stopped and had a concerned look on his face. I knew from the look on his face meant he saw something that wasn’t supposed to be there. He stopped the exam and he asked us to meet him in his office immediately. He tried to explain that he saw something, but that he didn’t want to insinuate what it could be. The fertility specialist wanted to do a D & C, but because I wasn’t officially his patient yet, he was more comfortable with my regular ObGyn doing the procedure. We called the ObGyn immediately and started discussing when could have the procedure done. After working with the ObGyn and the hospital we decided that January 15th would be the day. We woke up super early and arrived at the outpatient center for Athens Regional. Dr. Goggin came in and said that he was ready and he just knew that they wouldn’t find anything abnormal. I wanted to believe him so bad, but deep down I knew that something wasn’t right. I prayed that God would keep me safe during the surgery and that he would guide the surgeon’s hands. Days went by and I hadn’t heard anything. I tried not to panic, but that was impossible.  Dr. Goggin said he would call as soon as he got the results. I’ve been using him as my ObGyn for about 5 years and when he says something he means it. I knew he would call whether he had good news or bad. Sure enough on January 20th @ around 6:00 pm as I was getting ready to go out to celebrate my 28th birthday, my phone rang. It was Dr. Goggin’s office. My heart sank. This was our conversation.
Goggin: “Hey Ashley. I don’t know how to tell you this. I was packing up for the evening and I saw your results on my desk. Something told me to open them. I did and unfortunately sweetie I don’t have the news I want to have. We found cancer in your uterus and we think it’s stage 3.”

Me: “Are you serious? Will I have to have chemo? Radiation? Will I be okay? Who do I see for this?”

At this point, I started crying and shaking. I was speechless. What do you say during that moment?!? I was angry. I was scared. I was heartbroken. I was devastated. A range of emotions went through my mind.

The first person I called was my daddy. He would make it better. He would know what to do. He always knows what to do. I was crying and screaming by this point. My daddy told me to calm down and that we would fight this. We would beat this cancer. He assured me that we would do whatever we had to do to help me get well again. I got off the phone with him and called my Momma. She told me the same things as he did, but she was scared and I could tell. The third person I called was my best friend Melissa. She was at a basketball game watching Ashlyn, her daughter cheer. She immediately starting reassuring me that everything would be alright. She would find out who the best oncologists were in Georgia. We would fight this together. The next call was to my principal. I knew that I wasn’t in any shape to go to school the next day. How would I tell my students? How would I explain this to them? I didn’t want them to be scared for me. I had to be strong for them. I couldn’t stand in front of their little faces and not bawl thinking about what I had just been told. She told me that I should take the next day off and that if I need the rest of the week off I could take it too. She told me not to worry about lesson plans or school at all, but if you know me, you know that I have a slight case of OCD and I am a control freak, especially when it comes to my students and my classroom. When I have a sub, I like to have everything laid out and organized. As soon as I talked to her I went to the school.  After going to my classroom and getting sub plans together, I meet Melissa and her 3 girls for dinner. I wanted to see them, talk to them and hug them. I needed them. We had dinner and through the tears we talked. The girls were nervous and I could tell. I’ve been a part of their life for as long as I can remember. They are like my own and I would do anything for them. Having to tell them that you have cancer and that you don’t know what you’re going to do is HARD. At this point, stage 3 to me was advanced enough that I might die. I couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing them grow up. I didn’t sleep much that night. I just thought about everything. I googled A LOT that night. Bad idea for anything medical! The next day, Melissa and I with the help of her sister-in-law, started researching the best Oncologists in the state of Georgia. God sent us in the direction of Dr. Boveri. I made an appointment for the following week. Melissa took off work and rode with me. From the time we stepped in the door of his office, there was a calmness that came over me. I felt at ease. I’m not sure if it was Melissa being there with me and making me laugh by using every Snapchat filter on her phone or if God had his hand on me the whole time. Maybe it was both. Before going into his office, I had my mind made up. I am a control freak like that. I wanted the cancer out of my body. Whatever it took to get it out was fine by me.

This was the conversation with Boveri: (Keep in mind: This is the first time I’m meeting him!)

Boveri: We can do a total hysterectomy and we may need to do radiation and chemo. We could also wait to do the hysterectomy. You could harvest your eggs first then do it after that. You go home and think about it first. Then let me know what you want to do.

Me: I already decided. Take it out. I want it ALL out of my body.

Boveri: If we do a hysterectomy, you won’t be able to have kids. You know that right?

Me: Yes, I know this. As far as my eggs, I don’t produce enough to harvest anyways. It would take too long to do that.

Boveri: Well, I’ve never had a patient who comes in and knows what they want like you.

Bless him, y’all! I am his youngest patient EVER and his craziest I am sure! After waiting a week, it was surgery day. I had a total hysterectomy done. The waiting room was filled with my family and friends. I received so many texts, calls and prayers! It was humbling to be honest. All these people were praying for me. They wanted me to be well. Some didn’t even know me and wanted to send their prayers to me. I had the best nurses at the hospital! We made friends with them all. The day after surgery, I convinced the nurses and Dr. Boveri that it was time for me to come home. Before I came home, Shane had super cleaned the house and had everything ready for me. In the coming days, we had lots of visitors to keep me company. Every day in the mail I received cards, gifts and letters. Some from people I didn’t even know. They were still praying for me. I was still in shock that so many people cared. Our friends and family brought us meals, so that we wouldn’t have to cook. Shane got a little spoiled during this time. I never cook as well as everyone who brought us meals! After 2 ½ weeks and lots of hesitation from my coworkers and principal I was back at work. People thought I was crazy. Call me crazy, but I LOVE MY JOB! I LOVE my students! God called me to be a teacher and I will always be thankful that he did! When I was out, my students and their parents sent me well wishes and prayers. They missed me and I missed them so bad! One student even painted me a sign that said, “My Teacher Is My Hero!” It has hung in my house ever since. I read it EVERYDAY and think about how blessed I am. I survived. I beat cancer. I didn’t let it define me. It hurt me, most definitely, and it took away the title that I so long to be called, “Mom”, but someday when I look back, I will be able to say that it made me stronger. Cancer took my ability to have biological children away, BUT it will NEVER take the love and longing I have in my heart to be called, “Mom”.

…..Well that was supposed to be a short intro, but I got a little long winded. This is our story. I hope that you will join us on our adventure to find OUR baby!

There are few places I would have rather been this afternoon than laughing at CHOA with this beautiful girl and her amazing mamma. It never cesases to amaze me the strength, normalcy and love these familes show during their unimaginable battle with cancer. This sweet girl was supposed to be taking family photos today in Stone Mountain with us. All of us swimming, laughing and enjoying her July 4th. But cancer doesnt care, it doesn't play favorites, or celebrate holidays. It can attack at any time to anyone. PLEASE rally for these children and find better treatments for childhood cancer. Find a CURE. ‪#‎4isnotenough‬ ‪#‎CUREchildhoodcancer‬‪#‎bethechangebaf‬ Pray for Peyton Shannon Parker Greene O.j. Greene Brandy Angel Photography, LLC. ‪#‎brandyangelphotography‬ 
Thank you so much to Well Dressed Wolf for donating this BEAUTIFUL dress and cape for our heros to wear! And to Her Joyful Studio for the precious bows! We are eternally grateful!
‪#‎welldressedwolf‬ ‪#‎fujifilm‬ ‪#‎polaroids‬ 
"While Peyton is in the hospital fighting fevers, will you fight for other children that will walk this journey in the future? We team up with Rally because we believe in their mission where they are committed to find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and, ultimately, cures.
So this weekend while you are out watching fireworks, parades, having barbecues and picnics will you just take a moment and fight for those kids that are our future? They deserve more than 4%. They deserve to have a childhood outside these hospital walls, watching fireworks, parades, having barbecues and picnics too!
Let's Rally for Peyton by donating $10 for each day she fought the cancer beast. Our goal is to reach $8,440 in donations by the date of her last chemo treatment on July 16!
‪#‎RallyforPeyton‬ ‪#‎RallyOn‬ ‪#‎prayforpeyton‬ ‪#‎anchoredinhope‬"

https://www.facebook.com/bethechangebaf/photos/?tab=album&album_id=527790014095616&qsefr=1

Be the Change - Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc.

http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/…/690547-step-sisters-movie

https://www.facebook.com/events/495069814015948/

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2016/3/carlys-cancer-battle-childhood-cancer-is-not-rare?customize=3 http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/11/robert-the-great The world lost this beautiful boy 1 year ago today.He passed away from the effects of the adult treatments that are given to our sick children because of the lack of funding to find better treatments

Please help us continue our efforts of being the change by buying your very own T-Shirt today! T-Shirts are $20 for local pick up and $25 if shipping is needed. T-Shirts come in S, M, L, XL. Youth sizes S & XS. Please contact us at [email protected] to order your t-shirts today! 

Buy a shirt to help our cause today! Help us help others! 

https://www.booster.com/be-the-change-brandy-angel-foundation
 

All funds raised will be paid directly to Be The Change-Brandy Angel Foundation, Inc. for Helping us continue to help others! .

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2016/2/our-papa-bubber-william-wilkes-needs-a-kidney

This feature hits VERY close to home for me. This is my cousin Bubber Wilkes. I think everyone in Oconee County knows just who he is and I know each and everyone of you will SHARE his story and help him find the life saving kidney donor he needs! He has done so much for his community and it's time for his community to give back to him! PLEASE help Bubber if you can!

Our PaPa, Bubber Wilkes, Needs a Kidney​

Hello, my name is William Eddie (Bubber) Wilkes and I am a 67 year old husband, father of two, and grandfather to five precious grandchildren.  In September of 2015, I was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy.  My kidney function (estimated GFR) declined to 9% by year end.  Having been born with only one kidney, it’s important for it to function well. Despite medications and a restrictive diet, I have been unable to maintain a functioning kidney and I was forced to start dialysis on January 18, 2016.  

Currently, I serve as an Oconee County Commissioner in Watkinsville, Georgia.  Previously, I served Oconee County for 20 years and was re-elected to serve my current four year term.  Due to dialysis, it is difficult at times to attend all functions involved with being a Commissioner but I have not allowed my kidney failure to prevent me from continuing to serve the people of Oconee County.  In addition, I also work part-time with Lord and Stephens Funeral Home and enjoy spending time with family, especially my grandchildren.  

Four times a day, seven days a week, I do peritoneal home dialysis.  It is my hope to be approved for a peritoneal cycler. This would allow me to handle my dialysis each night while sleeping.  Dialysis is a temporary solution to end stage renal failure. However, a kidney transplant would allow me to enjoy a healthy life again, restore my quality of life and allow me to resume normal day to day activities. Transplant recipients generally live twice as long as those who stay on dialysis and are not restricted by the challenge of routine dialysis therapy.

After completing my evaluation at Emory University Atlanta, I am awaiting approval to be placed on the transplant list.  My blood type is A negative. This enables me to receive a kidney from blood types A and O.  Kidneys from deceased donors function well, but a kidney from a living donor provides the greatest chance for long-term success.   Patients on dialysis have a 40 – 50% risk of dying within 5 years.  A living donor decreases that risk to 10 percent. 

The Emory transplant team will evaluate each potential donor very carefully to verify their ability to donate. New surgical techniques allow doctors to remove a kidney using smaller incisions than ever before.  Recovery time for the donor is short.  A typical stay in the hospital can be 2-3 days and back to work in a couple of weeks in most cases. 

If you are interested in becoming a living donor for me, contact the Emory Transplant Center.  The number is listed below.  When calling, please inform the transplant coordinator that you are interested in becoming a living donor for William Eddie Wilkes (full name must be given).  They will also need my date of birth:  9/16/48. The center also participates in the Kidney Paired Donation Program.

Your prayers and support is greatly appreciated.  I am placing my trust in the Lord and pray that someone will be willing to give me the gift of life.  Thank you again for making a difference. 

Emory Transplant Center
Atlanta, GA
1-855- 366-7989 FREE

This is Matthew. He is a survivor of CHD! We need MORE STORIES like Matthew's! Let's create the awareness for MORE funding and BETTER treatements! They can ALL be survirors!

My name is Matthew Gunther and I am a 27 year old Congenital Heart Defect Survivor. I was born on September 20th, 1988 with a condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition in an abnormality of the heart. In fact it is a combination of four different defects; a VSD, which is hole in between the two lower chambers of the heart, Pulmonary Stenosis, which is the narrowing of the the pulmonary artery, Right Ventricular Hypertrophy, which is essentially the enlargement of the right side of the heart from poor circulation, and lastly overriding of the aorta, which is where  the aorta is not positioned correctly over the left ventricle. I have had a total of four operations on my heart to correct the defects. I had what there call a BT-Shunt at 6 weeks old, it was to improve the blood flow due to the stenosis. Once I was able to recover and grow and become a little stronger at the age of 14 months, I had a complete repair to fix the VSD and a few other issues to help my heart improve my quality of life. Then at 8 years old it was time I had a pulmonary valve replacement, since it was fixed during the complete repair or place one if it was removed. At the time a homograft valve was placed. Then at age 20, I had to have it replaced with a new one and they decided to place a porcine valve. They expect me to live 20 years with this one before it will need to be replaced. I also had to have three back operations to correct scoliosis, which is the curvature of the spine. I have been able to live a very healthy and outgoing life besides a few ups and downs, but I keep a very positive attitude and do my best to jump each hurdle that is thrown at me. I am very involved in the CHD community, by spreading as much awareness I can to as many families and people that are affected by a CHD. I am apart of the Kids at Heart program in Atlanta, Ga as a inspiration to the families, so they know there is hope for their young one to grow up and live a long and healthy life. I am also apart of the ACHGA, which is a group of adults that are living with a CHD and provide support and advocate for CHD as much as they can. I am also in school to become a Patient Care Tech and who else knows where that will lead me. I am also CPR certified which essential for everyone to know, it is extremely helpful since I am around heart families and be able help in a time of need. I have also decided to become a CPR instructor so I am able to teach and give as many people the knowledge to help when a loved one has a medical emergency. Lastly one of the things that I cherish with all my heart is Camp Braveheart. Which is a camp provided by Children's Health Care of Atlanta for kids and teens with a heart defect or heart transplant. If it was not for a wonderful family the Flynn’s we would not have this camp, and I would not have been able to be a camper from age 7 to 18 and now be able to give back and be a consoler. 

#‎bethechangebaf‬  ‪#‎CHDAWARENESS‬ ‪#‎CHOA‬

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCcZFWrBpyk&feature=youtu.be​

Tragically Mary Beth gained her wings today, though her pain is over, I know for her family it has just begun. My heart is so broken for her sweet family. She was a warrior to the end. Please help them if you can. Please pray for their comfort. ‪#‎bethechangebaf‬

 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

https://www.gofundme.com/6wnu68zs​

Photo Credit Jack Meyer Photography 

This is Jaley Allgood. She has Weaver's Syndrome.She did not learn to speak until she was 7 years old because of it. However, since she learned to talk, she has wanted to have her very own concert. So, for her 13th birthday, a group of people from MCHS, gave her a concert. There were different people who sang, the step team performed, one of the Pointe of Grace competition teams performed, the Cheerleaders did some cheers, Jaley got to sing on stage. She danced with all of her friends and family. It was like her local Make-A-Wish. I am so proud of this amazing community I live in that made this happen! Thank you Jack Meyer for the beautiful images!!!

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2016/1/howard-ripley-needs-a-kidney

Dear friends and family-

As many of you know I am searching for a kidney. I was first diagnosed with Kidney Disease in 1987 while in my late twenties. Through medications and proper care my native kidneys functioned up until 2003 when I first began dialysis treatment. I was on the cadaver kidney waiting list for several years when I finally received a cadaver kidney transplant in January 2005.
Although that kidney began to fail early on I was blessed to have it function beyond what was anticipated. It lasted almost
10 years, made me feel normal and healthy and kept me from dialysis for a few years.

I've now been on the waiting list for a second time for another cadaver kidney since 2010 and began daily dialysis treatment in 2014.

Upon the urging of my doctors, friends and family I'm now expanding my kidney search for a Living Donor.

A Living Donor Kidney is optimal for several reasons.
It typically lasts much longer than a cadaver kidney and the surgery can be scheduled conveniently.

Most people don't know that the average person
can function normally with only 10% of one kidney and almost everyone has two kidneys. So, most folks have more than enough kidney function to begin with.

Recovery time for the donor is short. New technological surgical procedures allow for a much smaller incision through Laparoscopy enabling faster healing and low risk to the donor. A typical stay in the hospital can be 2-3 days and back to work in a couple of weeks in most cases.

Should you have an interest in becoming a Living Kidney Donor please bear in mind you don't even have to match my blood type. There is also a Matched Pairing Program to enable this.

My hopes and prayers are that a Living Donor will come forward to provide this precious gift of life and restore me back to good health.

To learn more about how you can become a Living Kidney Donor, please make a confidential telephone call to the Living
Donor Transplant Team at Emory University Hospital:855-366-7989. Tell them you are interested in donating a kidney to Howard Ripley.

I want you to know how much I appreciate your continued prayers and support. Please feel free to share my story and FB page with others.

Many Thanks and Blessings,

Howard
 

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2016/1/braydens-pacemaker-power

Brayden's Pacemaker Power PageGetting to meet Brayden and his parents today was the perfect addition to my photography conference. Even though we were freezing, Brayden ran around like a healthy, happy typical 7 year old boy. He wasn't always healthy and his mother's passion to create awareness about his condition is so inspiring. Just because your family may not be affected by something it doesnt mean it won't always be, or someone you love won't be affected. Anyone can reach out and help find a cure, no act is too small. While we were shooting Brayden's mom gave her gloves to a homeless woman who was shivering on a nearby bench. When your heart tells you to do something, LISTEN. Here is Brayden's story about his amazing heart. 

Brayden Simpson is a superhero of sorts in his Atlanta-area hometown of Villa Rica, Ga. 

The 7-year-old who calls himself “Iron Man” uses a pacemaker, a necessity due to the congenital heart defect (CHD) that he developed shortly after birth, MyFoxAtlanta.comreported.

“He's not ashamed of his condition,” his mother, Rebekah Simpson, told the news station. “He will walk up to any child in a play area and say, ‘Hi, I'm Brayden, and I have a pacemaker.’”

Pediatricians diagnosed Brayden with a CHD after they heard a murmur and detected a moderate hole in his heart. They also found a pulmonary, aortic stenosis, which indicates a narrowing in the pulmonary artery that makes it difficult for blood to reach the lungs and pick up oxygen. That complication makes it tough for the heart and body to function properly, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

A CHD indicates an abnormally structured heart with a possible combination of large vessels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CHDs affect nearly 1 percent, or about 40,000, births per year in the United States. About 25 percent of CHD cases are critical and require surgery within the first year of a baby’s life.

Brayden’s doctors suspected the hole in his heart would close, but by the time the he turned 2, he was still struggling to breathe.

“He would get up in the morning out of his toddler bed, and he would get very winded,” Rebekah Simpson told MyFoxAtlanta.com. “Not even one second out of his bed, [and] he was literally gasping for air.”

Upon a second evaluation that year, doctors found that a muscle in Brayden’s heart had become enlarged and thickened to the point that it was suffocating him. Doctors told Rebekah that the condition was blocking blood flow to Brayden’s pulmonary valve.

Brayden went in for open heart surgery on Sept. 24, 2010 at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.

James Simpson, Brayden’s father, told MyFoxAtlanta.com that faith helped his family endure the operation.

“We'd prayed for a son, and God gave us a son. Is he taking him back?’” James recalled thinking around the time of Brayden’s surgery.

The procedure was successful, but Brayden’s heartbeat didn’t return as doctors had hoped it would. That’s when the pacemaker became part of his being.

“He calls it [the pacemaker] his shark bite,” James said. He noted that on one occasion, a woman thought his son was speaking seriously. “She was like, ‘Your son got bit by a shark!’ And I was like, ‘No. That’s what he calls it.’”

Although Brayden will need the device to control his heart rhythm for the rest of his life, his parents said Brayden doesn’t mind it. The only limitations he has is not being able to play high-contact sports such as football. But Rebekah and James told MyFoxAtlanta.com that he’s still as energetic as any boy his age.

“It’s funny: We actually went to a specialist and said, ‘Can you turn it down a little bit?’” James said. “And they said, ‘No, that's not how it works.’ And we were like, ‘We know that, but can you turn it down, please?’”

Click for more from My Fox Atlanta.

http://www.fox5atlanta.com/story/28086147/villa-rica-six-year-old-with-pacemaker-thriving

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/02/12/georgia-boy-who-had-open-heart-surgery-thriving-with-pacemaker.html

http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/71014874-story

http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/whats-hot/71283493-story

http://snewsi.com/id/16125742816/Dog-Saves-Oconee-County-Family-of-4-from-House-Fire

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/…/…/1/shelleyssearchforakidney
Shelley's Search for a Kidney
We need your help...We would like to introduce you to Shelley, a valued part of the Chick-fil-A Epps Bridge family and she needs a kidney transplant. Please join us in praying for her and please consider being a donor for Shelley. Send us a message and we can tell you how to start the process. Also, please like and then share this post with as many people as possible. Thank you!
What you need to know to see if you are a match.
Shelley Kurasaka
DOB 2/6/1976
Blood Type A+
Emory (855)366-7989

Mary Beth will be heading to Boston in the MORNING! Her daddy drove to Boston himself to make sure it happened! Let's pray that this is the life saving surgery that Mary Beth needs and they have safe travels tomorrow. PLEASE visit her page and see if you can help her sweet family!

Mary Beth's Heart Journey ‪#‎bethechangebaf‬

He has over a month left in this hospital room, but he DID have his bone marrow transplant today. He was feeling yucky but he still had huge smiles for me. This boy is such an inspiration! 
Let me tell you a story about this sweet boy. This is Duane and he has cancer. He is going to be spending his Christmas in the hospital receiving treatment until the middle of January. Why don't we all give him some extra love, support and brighten his Christmas spirit and send him some cards and gifts to help him get through this hard time and PRAYERS that this is his last Christmas with cancer? It must be so hard for this little guy to spend his Christmas feeling yucky and stuck in his hospital room. He loves Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Super heroes and video games just like every other 5 year old boy. PLEASE SHARE SHARE SHARE!

Best.Day.Ever. and THAT smile is WHY! When I asked the cultural center if they could donate tickets to Cadence I had no idea she had tickets to see him in Atlanta before her 8 weeks of radiation treatment in Texas however she missed the show because they moved her treatment up. This was her FIRST concert and Zapien's Salon donated make over services for Cadence, her mom and her sister! She smiled so much all day and felt so pretty and special. When Rebecca let me know last week that Sam had agreed for a meet and greet my heart just burst. Her mom put her on speaker phone when I called so I could tell her. She was beyond excited. This day meant the world to Cadence, her family and myself. To be able to bring so many loving, compassionate people together to make a little girl's dreams come true is one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Her family is in such a difficult time right now because of all the medical bills and just had to move into an apartment, so this was the perfect timing of something special to happen. Sam was absolutely amazing with Cadence and gave her memories she will never forget. He told her she was beautiful and she won best dressed for the night. Her smile was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. He signed her hat and made her feel so special and he probably has no idea how much good he did through that small act. I am so grateful to be able to witness it. My own daughters absolutely love Sam Hunt and I worried that they would be upset that they were unable to go or meet him and this morning when I showed them the photos of Cadence and Sam they both said, "Mom she looks so happy. I am so happy for Cadence." I knew right then that I was doing something right raising my girls. Imagine what they will do with their big hearts in the future! All I can say is thank you thank you thank you to Sam Hunt, Madison Cultural Center and Zapien's Salon for making Cadence's perfect 1st concert a day she will never forget. #bethechangebaf #brandyangelphotography #samhunt #bethechangebaf #zapienssalon #bethegoodintheworld #madisonculturalcenter Sam Hunt Zapien's Salon Atlanta/Buckhead Madison-Morgan Cultural Center Be the Change - Brandy Angel Foundation Cadence Fox - Cadence's Journey

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/11/robert-the-great

 — at Brandy Angel Photography.

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/10/jacqueline-johnson-needs-a-kidney

I got to meet this amazing family today and see how much love they had for each other and I pray they will get to spend many more years together! 
https://www.facebook.com/kidenyforjacqueline/info/?tab=page_info
Name: Jacqueline Johnson- Retired
Children:3
Grandchildren:5
After working 25 years in the juvenile court system I decided to retire in September of 2013. Retirement would allow me to travel, including seeing family in California and Georgia. Just as I gave notice of my retirement, I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). After having a kidney biopsy done, the kidney doctor diagnosed me with Rhupus. This diagnosis was shocking and I went for a second opinion in Georgia with my daughter who lives there. They ran a battery of tests and scheduled a follow up appointment to discuss the results. I never made it to that appointment, instead I was admitted to the hospital because my health had suddenly declined. I was taken to the ER for weakness, nausea and vomiting, and after a chest x-ray they started treating me for what they thought was pneumonia. By the early morning I was in respiratory distress and rushed to the ICU where I had a breathing tube put in as I was unable to breath on my own. During the insertion of the tube, they found massive bleeding in my lungs and my CKD had now progressed to end stage, now in multi organ failure doctors were unsure if I would survive. I was placed in a medical coma, given multiple liters of blood, medicine to support my low blood pressure, and several rounds of emergent dialysis. Two days later my family was given the diagnosis of a rare autoimmune disease called Wegners Vasculitis. Every day was a battle but I continued to get better each day. After being in the hospital for a month and receiving 3 doses of chemo to treat the vasculitis, I was ready to be transferred to a rehab facility where I eventually learned to walk again. After 3 months in rehab, I was back on my feet and can now even drive myself to dialysis 3 times a week. Yes, I went from no dialysis to having it 3 days a week. My family has been very supportive and loving through this entire life changing event. I had to give up the dream of staying in my own home, I had to relocate to another state but this experience has taught me no matter what plans you make, it is all in GODS hands. GOD has kept me here for a reason, I am BLESSED!
I am now in need of a kidney transplant because of my condition, I am O+ Blood Type. If interested in being a donor please contact Piedmont Hospital:
Edom Chernet, RN, BSN
Transplant Coordinator
Piedmont Hospital
Phone 404-605-4930
Fax # 770-916-4852
Available 24 hour a day.

 — at Brandy Angel Photography.

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/9/help-our-mom-get-a-kidney?customize=3

Carol Williams of Monroe, Georgia recently learned that she has Advanced-Stage Kidney Disease. She is is a single mom of 2 and she is in great need of a kidney transplant. Due to her health condition she is unable to work at this time.

Carol is a friend, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, mother, hard-working faithful Jesus loving lady who needs the precious gift of life in the form of a kidney donor. Carol was born and raised in Georgia, graduated from Loganville High School and through her job in the medical field she has kindly dedicated her life to helping others. Carol is a Christian and at this time she needs your prayers, compassion and love.

Carol is a wonderful single mom to her 14 year old son, Keontaye, a freshman and varsity football player at Walnut Grove High School and her mini-mi daughter, Keoni, who is just 8 years old.

Tests, prescriptions and MD visits are extremely costly, so Team Carol is working to help this deserving woman raise funds.

We are asking for family and community support to raise at least $5,000 via Go Fund Me to begin to help Carol with costly medicines, MD visit co-pays, transportation and other out-of-pocket medical expenses including necessary tests.

Click here to donate to this worthy cause via Go Fund Me. Or if you think that you would be willing to make a life-saving kidney donation to Carol please make an anonymous call to Emory Hospital in Atlanta at (404) 727-3250. Nurses will ask you a series of questions to determine if you qualify. Please let us know if you have any questions. Any donor will have medical expenses paid by Carol’s insurance.

Every Facebook share, positive comment, donation and prayer is truly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Team Carol

Email: TeamCarolneedsakidney@gmail.com

Moving Rob's photo to the "They found their match" folder is just about the best feeling in the world! So happy he got his miracle! Rob got his new, one in a million kidney and second chance at life from an organ donor. PLEASE sign up to be an organ donor. What better gift to give when your time on earth is over. Being able to save a life, even after yours is over, is such an amazing gift.

 — at Brandy Angel Photography.

https://www.facebook.com/teamhealduane
This little man was so full of smiles and LIFE. He just wanted to run around and have FUN. I just loved his spirit and his JOKES. his laughter was contagius for sure. I pray that after his transplant he can get back to being the super hero he was born to be. Running full force and saving the world!
Here is his story. 
Stephen “Duane” is an adventurous 5 year old, how loves dragons, superheroes and playing video games like your average 5 year old. He was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in May 2013 he had what was said to be a simple surgery, became a lifesaving surgery and removal of his right kidney. In May 2015 he had unexplained leg pain, doctors later informed us that he relapsed it spread to his spine and bones and is a Stage 4. He has already gone through 5 rounds of chemo, minor complications along the way he still stays smiling and laughing. He is set for MIBG therapy in a couple weeks and Stem cell therapy that will have him in the hospital for 1 month at a time. With a long road ahead he takes advantage of every break he gets from hospitals. He wishes that as soon as all of his treatment is thru he can build a sand castle for the first time and see Mickey Mouse at Disney world. 
#gogold #childhoodcancerawareness#CUREchildhoodcancer #bethechangebaf#NFLgoGOLD #4isnotenough

I had the priveldge of meeting Terrance and his family today before I made the Stone Mountain climb and I wish I had more time to talk to him! He was such an incredibly sweet guy and I am so excited to be able to help him get his need out there! PLEASE SHARE HIS STORY!

http://www.gofundme.com/1kidneydonations

https://www.facebook.com/donateterranceakidney/timeline

This is his story in his words. 

As most of you know , I have a kidney disease that is causing my kidneys to fail. I was diagnosed with kidney failure June 3 and I am currently on dialysis. My doctor has recently sent me to Emory Transplant Center to be worked up for a kidney transplant. The first step on this journey was to get educated on the good of getting a kidney transplant. I have learned that my best option would be to get a kidney from a living donor. My doctors at Emory have told me to share my situation with family and friends to see if anyone would be willing to give me a kidney. I've also learned that today over 1,700 men, women, and children in Georgia need a kidney transplant. Usually they have to wait on the national list for at least 2-4 years to get a kidney transplant. However if a living person is willing to give me a kidney, the wait would be much shorter and the kidney would most likely last longer than one from a deceased donor. Also after the transplant, I will have to take lots of medicine for the remainder of my life to keep the kidney working and the medicine is very expensive. With this being said, if you are willing to give me a kidney, call 855-366-7989. Any donations are welcome too. WHEN YOU CALL YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING > MY NAME IS TERRANCE HOLLIS AND MY BIRTHDATE IS JUNE 27,1995.

I had the priveldge of meeting Brian today before I made the Stone Mountain climb and I wish I had more time to talk to him! He was such a wonderful person and I am so excited to be able to help him get his need out there! PLEASE SHARE HIS STORY! 
http://facebook.com/ablessingforbrian
Woodstock resident Brian Mott, 56, is in desperate need of a kidney transplant from a living donor. Brian’s personal journey began in 1995 when he was diagnosed with medullary cystic kidney disease, commonly called UKD, a rare, inherited disorder caused by a genetic chromosome mutation. Children of affected parents have a 50 percent chance of developing UKD. This inherited disease has taken the life of Brian’s grandmother at age 31, and his father at
age 36. Today, three of his six siblings have been diagnosed with UKD, along with his daughter. “UKD is one of the more vicious forms of kidney disease, but it is the one type of kidney disease that can be treated successfully for a long period of time with a donor kidney, as it is
not caused by outside sources such as diabetes or high blood pressure,” said Brian. Eighteen years ago, Brian received his first kidney transplant when his beautiful sister- in-law Martiza was in a fatal car crash involving a drunk driver. “They called it a tragic miracle, but I call it something good that came out of something
that should never have happened,” said
Dave, Brian’s brother and Martiza’s husband. Maritza’s donated kidneys saved Brian and his brother Wayne, as well as countless others who received her donated organs. “For the past 18 years, Brian has successfully lived with Maritza’s kidney – well beyond the average. However, his transplant kidney began failing in August of 2013, and for the past three years, he has been on a big-time roller coaster, healthwise. In November 2013, he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, which really set him back, and [he] had to have his aortic valve replaced.”
Brian has been cleared for another transplant and is in desperate need of a living donor, as his health continues to decline. Most people start with family members when looking for a donor, but that is a limited option due to the Mott family’s health history. Most people don’t realize that donating a kidney is a relatively simple procedure; it’s a laparoscopic surgery, which is a minimally-invasive technique that causes less discomfort than procedures performed in the past. There are also shorter hospital stays and recovery time.
Brian and his family have had their fair share of adversity,
and have learned first-hand the importance of good health and vitality. Brian shares his story not only to create awareness about the growing need of living organ donors today, but also with a glimpse of hope that someone may be moved to give the gift of life. To learn more about how to become a living kidney donor, visit www.kidneyregistry.org. To contact Brian Mott directly, email [email protected] or call him directly @678-770-1885.

 — at Brandy Angel Photography.

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/8/please-help-tequiesha-cooper

I got to meet T'Mya and her daughters this afternoon and I so wish I could just give her MY kidney! I can't imagine being a single mom of THREE girls, including TWINS! They are such a sweet, loving family! PLEASE PLEASE help her find her match! 
Here is T'Mya's plea..
My Name is T'Mya Tomlinson I am the mother of 3 beautiful teenage girls. I live in Douglasville, Georgia and I am in need of a KIDNEY. In 2010 I was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Failure and I began Dialysis the same year. I enjoy life and want to be here for many more years with my family. I am in need of a Kidney to improve my quality of life and allow me to live again instead of just existing in this world. I have been on the Transplant list for the last 5 years and I am looking forward to the day that I have my last PD Treatment (Dialysis).PLEASE HELP ME FIND A DONOR. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP PLEASE CONTACT BARBARA O'NEAL, PIEDMONT HOSPITAL TRANSPLANT SERVICES  (404) 605-4128. ‪#‎pleaseshare‬ ‪#‎kidneytransplant‬ ‪#‎payitforward‬ ‪#‎piedmont hospital‬
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010063389086&fref=ts

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/8/we-need-you-to-save-a-vetran?customize=3

Meeting this amazing women made my day. My week has been a difficult one for sure but to see the smile on Ricki's face and the hope in her eyes put everything into persepctive. This woman has fought for our freedom and her family and it's time we fight for her! Someone out there is her match and I beg of you to make that call and see if it is YOU. Here is Ricki's story in her words. 
I am a Proud USN veteran, one of the first Navy Waves to attend bootcamp in the 70's in Orlando, Florida. I am a mother and grandmother to 4, and need an O kidney so that I can stop dialysis and resume a "normal" life. My kidney disease was caused by lupus..., by the time it was discovered the majority of my kidney function was destroyed.

My journey with kidney disease started in February of 2010 when I went for my yearly wellness exam. A few days later, I received a call telling me there was a problem with my kidneys, and I needed to see a kidney specialist. I was shocked, to say the least, as I had no symptoms that I knew of. A few weeks and two nephrologist appointments later I had a kidney biopsy, showing that I had Lupus and my kidneys were functioning at 13%. I cried for months, I couldn't even admit to myself let alone anyone else that I had kidney disease!

My Doug has been so wonderful and supportive, I couldn't ask for a more wonderful soul mate to share my life with. There are days when I barely have the energy to get out of bed, and he has always been there to help with whatever needs to be done. Every doctors appointment, every testing at the hospital he goes, and has been involved in my disease since we found out about it.

By June of 2011 my kidney disease had deteriorated to stage 5, and I had surgery to place my PD catheter for dialysis. I have been on dialysis since September 2011.

I worked as long as I could, but finally had to stop in early June 2012 as my body just couldn't take the stress of working in a kitchen every day and being on my feet for 8-10 hours.There are days when it takes everything I'm worth to get out of bed in the morning. I've always been a hard worker, and I loved my career but this disease has taken so much from me.

I am proactive in CKD care and am trying to get the word out about kidney disease.

So please if you are interested in being a donor (even not for me but for another person) please contact my coordinator and get the ball rolling. Remember you are giving a person a second chance of life, and if that person is me, I want to say " Thank you for being so selfless" you just gave me a chance to spend the next 20 years with the love of my life and watching my precious grandbabies grow. 
Transplant Coordinator-Prudence Ogden at University of Alabama Birmingham Transplant Center at 205-975-9200 or 888-822-7892. Please note you need to follow up with the transplant coordinator as the donor. They will not give me any information. So PLEASE.... after a couple of weeks, call for a status and keep calling every couple of weeks until to hear if you are a match or not. They will not tell me anything about the donor. Again, thank you so much and blessings from my heart!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-am-a-Veteran-and-I-need-a-Kidney/159448310878433?sk=info&tab=page_info — at Brandy Angel Photography.
https://www.facebook.com/bethechangebaf/photos/a.397196447154974.1073741825.397195620488390/420274561513829/?type=1&theater

Ella's Group-
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1560461407553473/
Please help Ella's journey~
http://www.gofundme.com/ellabothwell

Photos by~ C. Hope Photography 

A few weeks ago I was going through my news feed and saw an update to the group Prayers for Sweet Ella that made my heart ache. Well that little voice inside my head that tells me to do the things I do said to reach out to her mommy. Yes that really is how these things happen, I learned to start listening to that voice and actually DOING what it told me to do. WELL unfortunetly after reaching out and talking to Ella's amazing mom we realized they were NOT local to me. Her mother immediately said, no no it's ok, thank you for thinking of us. Well I was not taking this as the final say. I posted on my GA photography group the situation and Candice Hope Emerson IMMEDIATLY asked to do the photos for me. Quickly after the photographers were lining up. I was so proud to see that I am not the only one that feels this kind of compassion and acts upon it. So long story short, THIS is Sweet sweet Ella and her amazing family. Candice said Ella has been on steroids for so long she can't smile anymore but when she saw a Husky go by she mustered up all the smile she had. Candice then showed her vidoes of HER husky and Ella and her brother were in heavan. Maybe there is Husky in Ella's future! :) 
This is Ella's story~
It was the end of March 2015 and we were experiencing high counts of pollen.  Ella had recently begun to complain of headaches.  However, due to the increased pollen count, we attributed her headaches to allergies.  We contacted her pediatrician and brought Ella in to be seen.  Ella had developed circles under her eyes and to look at her face you would assume that she was experiencing symptoms due to her allergies being exacerbated by the environment.  They put her on an allergy medication and sent us home.   About a week later, I received a phone call from the nurse at Ella's school.  Ella had become disoriented and fallen at school.  I called her pediatrician again and we all thought that maybe she was having a reaction to the allergy medication, so they switched her to a different one.  The following Monday, Ella lost her balance and fell again at school.  I went to the school to pick her up and called her pediatrician.  This time he told me to immediately take her to get a cat scan.  My husband met us at the facility where the scan was taking place.  We were told to go directly to the pediatrician's office for the results.  We did not have to wait long, the results were in.  The cat scan showed a brain tumor on Ella's brain stem.  At that point, Ella had quickly become more symptomatic.  She was experiencing extreme ataxia, the loss of muscle coordination.  She was unable to hold her head up straight, had lost muscle control in her right eye, and her balance was off, making it difficult for her to walk.  Ella was admitted to Memorial and an MRI was ordered. The MRI confirmed our worst fear, Ella had DIPG, Diffused Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.  Due to the location of this kind of brain tumor, found in the pons, part of the brain stem, it is inoperable.  DIPG is primarily diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 7.  Ella celebrated her 7th birthday on April 9th and was diagnosed two weeks later.  Only 100 to 150 new cases of DIPG are seen in the United States each year.  At this time, there is no cure for DIPG, and the only protocol for treatment is radiation.  Less than 10% of children diagnosed with DIPG survive two years from diagnosis.  My husband and I quickly researched our options and decided to enroll Ella in a clinical trial offered at St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee.   Ella was discharged from Memorial on a Monday and that Wednesday our whole family was flown to St. Jude on a private plane.  Ella received 30 treatments of radiation over the course of 6 weeks.  She has received the maximum amount of radiation she can have in her lifetime.  In conjunction with radiation, Ella received an experimental chemotherapy.  We came back to Savannah at the end of June and the following week, left for Ella's Make A Wish Trip.  Last week we resumed her experimental chemotherapy.  Ella will have to take this oral chemotherapy every 5 days of a 28 day cycle over the next year.  Her first round of chemotherapy was challenging, Ella became extremely fatigued.  As a result, Ella has become considerably more symptomatic.   At this time, we are praying for a miracle for our sweet baby.  Our faith continues to give us the strength to face this awful disease.  Ella continues to inspire us with her courage, her strength, and her humor.  Our community, church, and family have been amazing through this difficult journey.
www.bethechangebaf.com CURE Childhood Cancer Children's Healthcare of Atlanta 

#CUREchildhoodcancer #cancersucks #childhoodcancerawareness

Tell me miracles don't happen and I will call you a liar! So incredibly happy for Sara!!!

 

Sara Jackson-Chandler

So today I received the best news EVER!! But first I would like the Dream Foundation for sending me and my family to San Diego, CA last week for an all expense paid dream vacation. We were blessed with the opportunity to receive tickets to La Jolla beach, Legoland, Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland!! The trip was pretty amazing. It also provided me with memories with my AWESOME husband Roberto Stillthesame-Chandler and LOVING children that will last a lifetime. We really had a blast. So much fun I was almost wiped out before the trip was over. But I have made it back home on Saturday evening. Must say "There is no place like home!!" 

So I got a phone call today and have just learned that I have an approved kidney donor!!! How amazing is that??!!! In just Two weeks after my segment aired on FOX 5 Atlanta!!! I am beyond blessed and so very thankful for all of you support and prayers!!! I couldnt have made it to this point without all of YOUR support!! I want to thank you all for everything that you all have done thus far. Whether is it were your time, donations or prayers, I am overjoyed to have spirits like you all in my journey that we call life. Please continue to pray for my family as we enter into the next phase of this process. Also, donations are still needed to help with medical costs. PLEASE, if you can make a contribution to my go fundme page "Our Mommy needs a kidney  Sara Jackson-Chandler

A special thanks to my mentor Natalie Marie Pignataro for guiding me in my time of need, Ron Gant FOX 5for sharing my story and helping it go nation-wide. Martie Carlson Rudd for introducing me to such great people, believing in me and supporting my every move. Brandy Hayes Angel for the photo shoot of a life time. Ashley Glantz Urbina for being a great MA to have such a loving spirit!! (Remeber this all started because of YOU!!!) Last and certainly not least My INCREDIBLE HUSBAND Roberto, you are my rock, soulmate and angel. I love you beyond our galaxy baby!!

For those of you that are going through ANYTHING. RememberALWAYS to pray and stay positive. That's the best antidote for life. 

-XOXO Sara

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/29734139/cadence-fox

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/8/cadence-on-fox5-news?customize=3

He's now been featured on

www.people.com

www.usweekly.com

www.eonline.com

AND he will be interview on Entertainment Tonight!  

GO HENRY GO!

ATLANTA -

A 9-year-old Athens boy had the chance to meet one of his favorite celebrities while undergoing chemotherapy in Atlanta.

It was last Thanksgiving that the Shepherd family found out their son Henry had Osteosarcoma, which is a type of bone cancer that begins in the cells that form your bones. It started with knee pain.

Following the diagnosis, Henry began aggressive chemotherapy at Scottish Rite in Atlanta.

The Shepherd family said Henry has been in and out of the hospital since December of 2014. He is admitted for every chemo treatment and has had 17 treatments so far. His final treatment is this Friday.

In March, Henry also had surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his right femur in Gainesville, Florida. His foot was removed from his leg during this surgery and rotated 180 degrees. The remaining portion of his tibia was attached to the remaining femur which allows his ankle to function as his knee.

The advantage of Rotationplasty is that he will have a “knee” to allow for better control versus a prosthetic leg, according to his family.

On Sunday, as Henry was getting his second-to-last chemo treatment, a very special visitor stopped by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite… Actress Jennifer Garner!

Garner has been filming Miracles from Heaven in Atlanta, which is set to release in 2016. The movie is about a young girl suffering from a rare digestive disorder. It’s based on the book Three Miracles From Heaven which was written by Christy Beam.

Garner, along with actress Kylie Rogers who is also in the movie, decided to visit some of the children at Scottish Rite. They stopped by Henry's room and chatted with him, and Henry's twin sister, for about ten minutes.

Henry's mom, Carrie Shepherd, said Garner was "genuinely nice." She also said Henry is a huge fan of Garner's movie Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day and knew who she was right away. 

We learned about Henry's story through photographer Brandy Angel, who we recently interviewed. Angel is dedicated to helping others and has photographed many families in need of kidneys or any sort of help. 

"I love people. That's what I do," said Angel. "I feel like everybody deserves compassion and help because we are all at that position at some point in time in our life." 

Angel recently snapped some photos of Henry and his family and uploaded his story to her website. View that here.

A GoFundMe page has been created for Henry called “Henry Our Hero.” If you would like to pay it forward and donate towards medical expenses, click here.

A "Henry Our Hero" Facebook page has also been created. You can send your well wishes, support, love and cheers on that page by clicking here.

From all of us at FOX 5, we send our love and wish you a speedy recovery Henry! 

APP USERS: Click here to view the photo gallery. 

#jennifergarner #CUREchildhoodcancer #henryourhero #bethechangebaf #brandyangelphotography

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/8/cadence-on-fox5-news?customize=3

Cadence Fox is a 9 year old from Eatonton, Ga. On May 19 her life was turned upside down when we went to the hospital and they found a tumor on her brain. We were rushed to egleston children's hospital in Atlanta where they located a second tumor in her brain. She is currently on her third round of chemo. Please follow her page and support her journey any way you can. 
https://www.facebook.com/CadencesJourney/info?tab=page_info
http://www.gofundme.com/wfh3c3u
#CUREchildhoodcancer #cancersucks #childhoodcancerawareness 

Be SURE to like and share her page!

Hi my name is Sara Chandler I am a married mother of 3 beautiful babies!! I live in Lawrenceville, GA and was born with a genetic kidney abnormality(PKD). So I am in need of a kidney transplant ASAP!!! Will you please,please, please help me find a kidney??? ☺☺☺ I have so much life to give and would love the opportunity to share it with you all!! If you would like more Information please call Emory transplant center (855)3667989 to get more Information to help me find a kidney!!!  

‪http://www.gofundme.com/ourmomneedsakidney

https://www.facebook.com/bethechangebaf

http://www.gofundme.com/ourmomneedsakidney

https://www.facebook.com/bethechangebaf

Josh is a 28 year old, husband, and father of 2 boys. He was diagnosed with FSGS in 2008. He has been seeing a Nephrologist ever since. Even with medications and healthy lifestyle choices, Josh was unable to maintain function of his kidneys. He was added to the transplant list in July 2013. His kidneys failed in May 2014 dropping to 6% function, resulting in emergency dialysis. He has been on dialysis for over a year. 

Josh works full time as an assistant department manager at Washington County Machine Shop. Josh doesn't allow his kidney disease to stop or slow him down. He works very hard to provide for and be active with his family and friends. He coaches his boys baseball team, loves Georgia football, Braves baseball, golf, and fishing. He goes to the gym several days a week to maintain his health as much as possible. At this time he is still able to continue to work full time.


Josh is on Home Hemo dialysis. This means that he does dialysis 6 days a week (3 days on, 1 day off). Each dialysis session lasts roughly 3 hours and takes a toll on his body. Due to his and his wife's work, and boys schedules, dialysis is largely done in the evenings. This does make for much longer days for Josh and puts even more strain and stress on his body. Josh would benefit from a kidney transplant because it would allow him to enjoy a healthy life again and help to restore his quality of life as well. Dialysis is a temporary solution to FSGS and other forms of End Stage Renal Failure. There are many negative side effects as well. Many of which over the last year we have dealt with. 

Josh is A+ blood type. He can receive a kidney from blood types A+, A-, O+, and O-. Josh is also currently registered at both Georgia Regents University (GRU) Augusta, GA transplant program and Emory University Atlanta, GA transplant program. Information for both are listed below. If you are interested in becoming a living donor for Josh contact either location. When calling you need to tell the transplant coordinator that you are interested in becoming a living donor for Josh McCoy and give them his date of birth 5/5/87. Both centers also participate in the Kidney Paired Donation Program. More information can be found at www.unos.org

Georgia Regents University Medical Center (GRU) Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program
Augusta, Ga
(706) 721-2888 or (800) 736-2278 ext. 2888

Emory Transplant Center
Atlanta, GA
(855) 366-7989


We are blessed and thankful for all that are interested in spreading the word and helping to find Josh a kidney!!

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or are interested in becoming a donor. It can either be done through this page or through Josh McCoy or Ashley Brett McCoy on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Our-Daddy-Find-a-Kidney-Josh-McCoy/1620634261516826?sk=timeline

Brandon is a 32 year old married father from the Athens, Georgia, area. He recently had to start on dialysis and get onto the kidney transplant list. Brandon and Donna have been married for 6 years. He has a 15-year-old stepdaughter and he has a four-year-old Autistic special needs daughter. He is the breadwinner in their family because his wife was injured during the birth of their youngest daughter and has had a lot of medical issues since then. We need our daddy to be around for a long long time! Please help us find him a kidney! Thank you! 

https://www.facebook.com/ourdaddyneedsakidneyteamhendrix?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

[email protected]

http://www.gofundme.com/v69md5s

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/5/please-help-linda-d-carter-find-a-kidney?customize=3

My name is Linda Carter, and I NEED A KIDNEY. “My character is bigger than my circumstance.” This is my quote for my life as I struggle with Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease. I am 52 years old and a veteran educator of 27 years. My kidneys began failing in 2009 due to Type 2 diabetes, and I was diagnosed with Stage 5 (end stage) kidney failure in 2012. My blood type is Type O, and ALL blood types O could potentially be my match. IMPORTANT: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TESTED AS MY LIVING DONOR MATCH BUT ARE NOT BLOOD TYPES B OR O, YOU CAN STILL HELP ME!*** My transplant center participates in the paired exchange program. If you are willing to be a match for someone else who has a donor that is a match for me, both myself, and the other recipient would receive a life-saving kidney transplant! Please contact Emory Transplant at 855.366.7989. Let them know you would like to be tested as a match for me, Linda Carter – DOB 7/8/62.

Ten years ago, I modified my lifestyle by completely changing my daily food plan. I eliminated salt, red meats and carbonated beverages. I added much more exercise and water intake and began attending KidneySmart workshops. Despite my failing kidneys, I continued to teach and work towards becoming a principal by achieving an Education Specialist Degree (EDS). Unfortunately, the time commitment to continued education, educating my own students, managing my kidney disease and doctor’s appointments became unmanageable. In 2013, I had to set aside my aspirations to further my own education and focus strictly on teaching my classroom of students. My passion and love in life is teaching English Language Arts to 8th graders. My students are a diverse group of learners that are gifted, talented and some are being served in a co-taught special education setting. Our school is 100% free and reduced lunch, however, our students are some of the brightest, hard-working children in the county, and our school is recognized as a “School of Excellence”. Despite some conditions in their home life, students attend school each day eager to learn. I always do all I can to make learning interesting and fun. Our school motto is: “When you miss school, you miss out!” I strive to establish and maintain a safe classroom environment and “comfortable, home-like” atmosphere that allows students to feel safe to discuss and debate topics that will impact their life beyond the classroom. I supply students with extra pencils, erasers and even have an area known to my students as the “Lotion Station” for another added touch of home. If you look around my classroom, encouraging quotes can be found everywhere. A quote on the sides of the wastebasket reads: “I will get one task done today”. 

I am a recently divorced, single parent of an extraordinarily focused, ambitious, and inspiring 30 year old daughter. My daughter, Dr. Taryne Michelle Mingo, was once a student at the very school I teach. She continues on the educational path as a full time elementary counselor in a different county, working with kids with similar demographics. My daughter is my number one supporter, and I am so proud of her accomplishments. I am proud to announce that my daughter is the first member in our family to receive a doctorate degree!
I have always been the “helper” in my family, my community, my church and school. During the 1980s, I became a caregiver to my 15 year-old brother as he was diagnosed with an unusual cancer. My responsibility was to speak to his doctors, and help my brother and family understand his illness. During his senior year, he understood that he would not graduate from high school. I became his advocate to attempt to get the high school to understand that children diagnosed with aterminal illness should be given a different tract for graduation. I was met with resistance, and my brother passed away in February of 1988. His local high school then decided to give my mother an honorary degree on the day of graduation. I then became a relative foster parent for a niece that was experiencing homelessness. This placement lasted on and off for more than 10 years. I involved her in dance, music and summer events. Each year, I choose two students to mentor. Currently, I am working with a female student whose 7 year old brother in is need of a kidney. I am linking with our school's family engagement specialist to find resources such as your organization to assist in finding a donor. I provide free tutoring on Saturdays to students for writing and reading skills. I also participate within my local church with many community planned activities and work with a retired teacher (in her 80s) in our tutorial center on Saturday mornings. I recently completed my pre-ministry training and would like to work with women going through or experiencing divorce.

Instructing and teaching has become difficult in recent times. My days always lasted longer because of my condition, and I had to modify my teaching around some of my symptoms. Finally, I recently underwent surgery to begin peritoneal (in-home) dialysis. I am currently placed on work disability without pay, as I walk through the never-ending, confusing path to receive benefits from my long-term disability carrier. I greatly miss teaching, my students and my position as a classroom teacher. I struggle with knowing that I am not in the classroom to help my students conquer the new state tests that replaced the old CRCT. I still grade essays at home, trying to give them feedback on their work. Most of my students are not aware of my condition and think I am of the class due to other reasons. I just did not have the heart to tell them about my true situation. 

I teach my students to advocate for themselves when they need help. I had to direct that lesson to myself when I entered this stage of my kidney condition. A kidney transplant will change my life tremendously by giving me the opportunity to become well. I will be able to continue teaching and working with children in writing their own life stories. Receiving a kidney will relieve many stressful days of wondering about some parts of my future life. My brother and sister began testing but were excluded due to health conditions. I am reaching out in every way I know how to try to reach the person who could be my living donor match. If you would like to reach out to Linda personally or follow her Facebook Kidney Search page, please click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/253691388023937/908315269228209/#!/pages/Find-a-Kidney-for-Linda-D-Carter/1578543549064434?sk=timeline
http://findkidneydonor.com/

The Brave Little Soul

By: John Alessi

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. She especially enjoyed the love she saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day she saw suffering in the world. She approached God and sadly asked, “Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?” God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people’s hearts.” The little soul was confused. “What do you mean,” she asked.” God replied, “Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone.” The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, “The suffering soul unlocks the love in people’s hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer - to unlock this love – to create this miracle - for the good of all humanity." 

Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain herself. With her wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied, "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people’s hearts! I want to create that miracle!" God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you. God and the brave little soul shared a smile, and then embraced. 

In parting, God said, “Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed.” Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through her suffering and God’s strength, she unlocked the goodness and love in people’s hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys – some regained lost faith – many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased. http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/5/the-brave-little-soul?customize=3

Ahmie's Wish and Bucket List
April 16, 2014 at 4:13pm
Ahmie's Bucket/Wish List - Thank you for loving Ahmie. 

While Ahmie is on hospice fighting recurring DSRCT (Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors) we need your help. 
You can follow her journey at Miracles for Ahmie.

Please read, share, invite, talk, pray, love and donate. 
Ahmie's Bucket/Wish List - Thank you for loving Ahmie.  
Beat Cancer! 
Help find a cure for Pediatric Cancer - Fundraising for Strong Against Cancer
Violin & Lessons 
Piano Lessons
Trip to Hawaii
Universal Florida 
Meet Jennifer from Little Couple
Adopt a child
Gun Range
Go to Music Award Show - Teen Music Awards/MTV/ VMA 
Go to 5SOS Concert - GOING 7/15! Meet 5SOS would be ideal.
Be a Nurse - DONE! U/W Nurse for a day! 
Go to a Prom - DONE! 
Motorcycle bike ride - DONE!
Disneyland - DONE! 1/11-15!!
Have own room - Done
Meet Buddy from Cake Boss - Done!
Fly First Class - Done
Fishing Adventure - Done thank you Y.O.U Youth Outdoors Unlimited
Own Electric Guitar - Done
Learn the art of glass blowing - DONE
Great Wolf Lodge - DONE
Go to Leavenworth and go rafting - DONE
Digital camera - DONE donated by Kenmore Camera
Suncadia Spa & Resort - DONE
http://www.youcaring.com/help-a-neighbor/operation-love-for-ahmie-miracles-for-ahmie-/114272

http://www.firstcall.me/dancing-with-the-lake-oconee-stars.html

http://www.gofundme.com/bethechangebaf

My name is Russell Popham. I was born 1/1/1976 in Easley, SC. I am looking for my FATHER. His name is Jimmy Wayne Thomas, Jr. He is from Fort Worth, Texas and was in the army from 1975 to 1976. My mother's name is Debbie Freeman and she met him through my Uncle Donnie Popham "Dogeye". He served in the army with Jimmy. I think he is around 61 years old. I have been looking for my father for 20 years. If you have ANY information PLEASE contact me. (864)230-6471 or [email protected]. Thank you so much. PLEASE LIKE AND SHARE my page so I can reach as many people as possible. Someone is bound to know my father. Let's make this go viral!

#AreYouMyDaddyRussellPopham Are you my Daddy?-Russell Popham​ http://www.gofundme.com/wkznks?fb_action_ids=10153130296268813&fb_action_types=og.shares

My name is Terry Richardson, and I NEED A KIDNEY. ***My blood type is O. I can receive a kidney directly from blood types O – and O + . IMPORTANT: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TESTED AS MY LIVING DONOR MATCH BUT ARE NOT BLOOD TYPE O, YOU CAN STILL HELP ME! *** My transplant center participates in the paired exchange program. If you are willing to be a match for someone else who has a living donor that is a match for me, both myself, and the second recipient, will receive a life-saving kidney!
In 1981, at the age of 21, I was diagnosed with end stage renal disease. In 1982, I received a kidney transplant from my brother. After 32 years of a very successful transplant, the transplant is now failing. My original failure was never attributed to a specific disease other than ‘hypertension’. Late last summer, my doctor decided to start the evaluation process to get me ready to go on the ‘transplant list’. She thought we would be getting a ‘head start’ on the process and would give ourselves time to prepare for the inevitable. But my kidney function declined more rapidly than expected and, by January of this year, I was already in need of a new transplant. 
One thing I have learned over the past 32 years is that God uses people to bring about His blessings. Because I have had a transplant for 32 years, I have experienced those blessings first hand. God’s blessing and my brother’s selfless act have allowed me to live a very normal life, raise a family and work like anyone else! With the onset of my now failing kidney, we are faced with a different set of circumstances. 
Since 1982, both of my brothers have needed transplants. Alan, the brother who gave me a kidney in 1982, just received his transplant this past fall. My oldest brother has received 2 transplants in the last 20 years. It is safe to say that we have exhausted all of our possibilities of related donors in our immediate family. Because of our family history the doctors have ruled out our family as donors.
Currently my kidney function (estimated GFR) is at 10%. Any function below 15% is considered kidney failure. I am being ‘worked up’ to start dialysis as soon as possible.
Without a transplant, dialysis will become a daily routine for us. It seems to me that when we are faced with difficult circumstances in our life, we tend to be more concerned for those we love rather than for ourselves. My concern through all of this is for my wife and our sons and my ability to be the husband and father I need and desire to be. It will be difficult to do many of the things that my family and I enjoy doing. When we are in good health, we often tend to take the most valuable things in life for granted. Kidney failure and dialysis drain most of your energy, making even simple tasks like working in the garden or cutting the grass difficult. My desire is to be able to continue to work and to do the things that our family enjoys like fishing and hunting with our sons, taking trips to the coast and the mountains, collecting shells and leaf-peeping with my wife. I also want to continue teaching kids at church on Wednesday nights and preaching every opportunity I can. 
We have had several people inquire about being a donor but have not received word of any matching candidates as of yet. 
If you would like to be tested as my living donor match, please contact Jenny McGraff with Emory Transplant Center at 855-366-7989. We have been told that any interested donor should call the above number and specifically say, “I want to be a living donor for Terry Richardson”. My Date of Birth is 03-09-1960. 
Please know that it is a difficult thing to seek someone to donate their kidney to me. But, like in every other aspect of life, we simply must trust Christ and follow Him. So we will trust in the Lord that His plan for our family is what is best for us. 
You will find my personal page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pastor-Terry-Needs-A-New-Kidney-Again/602756349857826#!/pages/Pastor-Terry-Needs-A-New-Kidney-Again/602756349857826

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/support-for-shelley-/238597 http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/2/support-for-shelley?customize=3

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2015/5/the-brave-little-soul?customize=3

~Prayers for Lake Bozman~​ www.bethematch.org
Lake is 5 year old and has a birthday coming up on May 24th. He has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He is being admitted into Egleston this evening (5/15/12) and will begin chemo treatment in the morning. This page has been created to send as many prayers as we can get up to our Heavenly Father and for words of encouragement and support for Lake and his family through this difficult time. We will update everyone as soon as we hear from his mother, Anna. Thank you all in advance for your love, prayers and support. 
Lake's story from Anna.
"From the outside Lake looks and acts the typical seven year old boy, playing sports, wrestling with his little brother, and running around with friends. On the inside however, he is anything but typical. Lake has AML, acute myeloid leukemia, something that I never imagined my child would have. Since birth he has always been extremely healthy, only going to the pediatrician for his well visits. In the Spring of 2012, he started having ear infections and some sinus issues along with fevers that just wouldn't seem to go away and stay gone. Then he started becoming exhausted all the time which is just not normal for him at all. Finally the day after Mother's Day our pediatrician ordered blood work and after reading the results sent us straight to Scottish Rite Children's hospital where they diagnosed him with Leukemia. We were completely devastated but there was no time for all the hows and whys. The next day his central line was put in, we moved over to Egleston Children's Hospital, and he started chemo. Four rounds later he was in remission without hardly any complications or sickness and we were home again as a family. He was back at school, playing baseball, and was about to have a new baby sister. Then in April of this year at his routine clinic visit we found out it was back. Once again total shock and devastation. So here we are now just completed two more rounds of chemo and getting ready for a bone marrow transplant. The transplant is by far the biggest challenge we have faced. Lake is going to be very sick and he will be unable to see his little brother and sister for a long time but if this is what it takes to get him well and in remission forever, then we can handle it. Our hope and prayer is that Lake will get through this transplant and that he will go back to being a regular child and grow to live out all his dreams. Not in a million years did I think my child would be diagnosed with cancer but he was. It can happen to anyone. We have been truly blessed to have such an amazing support system and I know our faith in God and all the many prayers for Lake has gotten us through this. No family should have to go through this. While most children are playing with superheroes, these are heroes in real life and my son is one of them!
*Update on Lake: After completing 2 rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, Lake had his transplant on August 5th, 2013. It was a difficult few months but Lake as always was a total Rockstar and did great. He was 100% donor cells and in remission. He came home about a week before Halloween and slowly but surely things began to get back to "normal". He returned to school in late Springof this year and even played baseball. We were almost to a year post transplant and then at a routine check up in May, we found out he had relapsed once again. To say we were  crushed is an understatement. We are now praying for a miracle. Although Lake's cancer has been labeled as "incurable", we are not giving up! He was, is, and always will be my Hero! 
Update on Lake: After his relapse we continued some different chemotherapy treatments to keep his disease at a minimum. He was able to do many things like go to Camp Sunshine, go on his Make-A-Wish trip ( a Disney Cruise ), go to school, be at home with his family, and even signed a one day contract with the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Team. He was doing well but then suffered a huge setback when he got pneumonia and his body went into septic shock. It was then we learned that his heart was at very low function  and that a transplant was no longer an option. We continued more gentle chemos until his body just became too tired and on May 1st of this year he went home to be with Jesus. We miss him like crazy but take comfort in knowing that he is now Cancer free and perfect once again. We plan to keep Lake's memory alive by sharing his story and continuing to raise awareness for childhood cancer and the importance of joining the Be the Match registry!!"

~Sadly Lake gained his wings before his perfect match was found on May 1, 2015 just weeks before his birthday. 
Losing Lake was unexpected and painful. I have only known him and his beautiful family for a short time and I feel like they have each inspired me so much in their own way. I know in my heart they will continue to do so. I pray for their comfort now and for the love around them to help them through this awful time. The service at Lake's funeral had to be shared. This story is the backbone to what I do and what I HOPE to do. You are gone but never forgotten Lake Bozeman.

The Brave Little Soul
By: John Alessi
Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. She especially enjoyed the love she saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day she saw suffering in the world. She approached God and sadly asked, “Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?” God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people’s hearts.” The little soul was confused. “What do you mean,” she asked.” God replied, “Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone.” The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, “The suffering soul unlocks the love in people’s hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer - to unlock this love – to create this miracle - for the good of all humanity." 
Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain herself. With her wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied, "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people’s hearts! I want to create that miracle!" God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you. God and the brave little soul shared a smile, and then embraced. 
In parting, God said, “Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed.” Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through her suffering and God’s strength, she unlocked the goodness and love in people’s hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys – some regained lost faith – many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased.

http://www.bethechangebaf.com/blog/2014/12/our-uncle-joshy-needs-a-kidney?customize=3

My name is Joshua Batson. I am 25 years old, and I need a KIDNEY!!!

***MY BLOOD TYPE IS A, AND I CAN RECEIVE FROM ALL A AND O BLOOD TYPES***

 I was diagnosed with FSGS (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis) at age 9. At age 19, my kidneys failed completely, and I began hemodialysis. I am desperate to find my perfect match! Kidney disease, and nearly 6 years on dialysis, has wreaked havoc on my body.  I’ve fought through bouts of pericardial effusion, pleural effusion and fluid overload so extreme, that I had to be placed on a ventilator for 9 days. I just want to be “normal”. Since my diagnosis at age 9, I’ve spent more time sick or in the hospital than most people spend in their lifetime. I want to be able to do the things that most 25 year olds do, but I must have a kidney transplant in order to fully LIVE my life. My family means the world to me, and I don’t want to miss any moment that I don’t have to.

My family members have been tested as a match for me, but they are either not a match or are not cleared to be my living donor. I have been on the transplant list for 6 years at GRU in Augusta, GA. If you are willing, and feel it in your heart, to be tested as a living donor for me, please contact my living donor coordinator, Keri, at 706-721-8560. Tell her you would like to be tested as a match for me, Joshua Travis Batson (DOB 11/24/89). I will be forever grateful and thankful for anyone who is willing to be tested as a match to become my living donor! Please keep me in your prayers…

My name is Debra Phillips, and I need a kidney.
** My blood type is A, and I can receive from ALL A AND O blood types**
I am in stage 5 kidney failure as a result of diabetes. I was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease in July 2011, and my health has declined since. Despite following my doctor’s diet and medication orders, I have lived on dialysis 3 times a week since August 2013. The affect kidney disease has had on my life has been an about face. I was a hairdresser for 35 years and had to quit due to the exhaustion I was feeling. I sadly, but fondly, remember my last day of work in April 2013. My kidney disease progressed much faster than I could have ever imagined, and I had fistula surgery, to prepare my body for a life on dialysis, in May 2013. I had been an active person all my life and was the main caregiver for both my parents and in-laws during their illnesses. This illness hit me 1 year after I lost my mom to pancreatic cancer. The past 3 years have been hard. Dialysis has given me back a little “normal” on the days I am not being treated, but I can see, and feel, how my body has slowly broken down. For me to receive the gift of a kidney transplant would mean I could enjoy my Grandkids everyday and actually be able to keep up with them. When I was first diagnosed with kidney disease, I never thought I could ask someone to give me one of their kidneys, but after being on dialysis for this past year, I pray daily for GOD to grant me the beautiful gift of a Kidney.
I have a wonderful family that is very supportive of me. My husband, Dennis, is my best friend and great caregiver. He hoped to be my living donor but was denied as a donor due to his own health issues, and our children are not a matching blood type. I have 2 granddaughters and a newborn grandson, and I pray that I am able to enjoy every precious moment with them that I did with my children.
My Blood type is A. I can receive a kidney from types A and O – both negative and positive!
Contact: Barbara O’Neal, RN (Piedmont Hospital) BSN 404-605-4128
I have been on the Transplant list since July 2013.

Hi. My name is Becky Ray, and I am hoping my plea through puppetry touches the heart of a kind soul that would be willing to donate the kidney that I need so badly….the kidney that will save and forever change my life.
**My blood type is B, and I can receive from blood types B and O. My DOB is 3/21/76.** 
It is a reality that is not easy to accept, but it is reality nonetheless. The fact is, this is a matter of life or death for me. In 1995, as a freshman in college, I was diagnosed with Lupus. The effects of Lupus vary from person to person. For me, Lupus resulted in kidney issues that I have battled in every way I can until there was no other option than to rely on dialysis to live while I pray and wait for a transplant. 
After my diagnosis, I immediately began a high dosage steroid, and for 5 years, I had regular IV treatments that were similar to chemotherapy. About every 2 months, I had to plan a weekend to travel back home from college and basically vomit and sleep for a few days. I tried to phrase it less graphically, but I would be downplaying my experience, and I was asked to share exactly how kidney disease has affected my life. Eventually, I started receiving IV treatments in the city where I went to school, but I still had to deal with the sickness. My dream career was to be a puppeteer, and I succeeded to a point, but I always had to maintain two full-time jobs – one to satisfy my love of being creative, and one to maintain constant health insurance coverage. Rest is imperative with my disease, but so is remaining active and focusing on an ultimate goal. It was a catch 22, but at the time I chose to follow my dreams. With around 2 hours of sleep each night, I achieved my Master’s degree as my kidneys continued to fail me.
In 2012, my kidneys completely failed. Since then, I have been unable to work and have been living with family members. I have depended on peritoneal dialysis, for 9 hours every night, to stay alive for the past 2 years. Dialysis leaves me exhausted and sluggish. Honestly, it’s hard for me to even recall the last night I had what you would call a good night’s sleep due to two common side effects of kidney failure – insomnia and restless leg syndrome. As dialysis removes toxins and extra water, it also depletes essential nutrients while failing to filter out any surplus of other electrolytes that could be damaging. Following a renal diet is practically an art in itself. My kidney failure has led to what is known as an associative condition called neuropathy.Associative means it was made worse by kidney failure and maybe cured with restored kidney function. Neuropathy is a painful condition that makes walking or standing for more than 30 minutes physically unbearable. Neuropathy also makes it unsafe for me to drive. I am now living with my parents who are looking after two adult children with life-threatening illnesses (my brother is severely disabled). I know they feel the stress, and it hurts me to know they are doing their absolute maximum to see to it that we are okay – at least as okay as I can be for the present day. Both of my parents have acquired their own health issues with age, and I would give anything to be physically able to care for them.
God has made it clear that if His plan is for me to receive a kidney, it will be from someone I don’t know all that well. Unfortunately, the only person with my blood type in my immediate family is my father, and his health excludes him from being my living donor. 

As you can see, a transplant would literally change everything for me…EVERYTHING. I would be able to work and support myself, live on my own, look after my parents and brother and have more control of my own health, diet and well-being than I’ve ever had before. I am beyond grateful and thankful for my friend and fellow puppeteers - Leslie Carrara-Rudolph who performs as Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street and Lindsey Briggs and Chad Williams, who have their own puppet company. As soon as Leslie found out about my situation, she reached out to me to see how she could help. It was always my desire to use puppetry to inspire others to be a living donor, so we quickly made plans to film a short video that was heartfelt and informative. If you would like to be tested as my living donor match, PLEASE CONTACT EMORY AT 1-855-366-7989. Again, I’M BLOOD TYPE B, AND TYPES B AND O CAN BE TESTED AS MY LIVING DONOR!!!

ATLANTA, Ga. -- When we first brought you the story of a police officer in need of a kidney, no one knew just how big this story would get.

After the image of Raleigh Callaway's daughter's went viral, he had a stranger step up to save his life.

Now his friends and family want to do the same thing for others in need.

"People don't always read everything... but they will have an emotional connection with a picture," said Brandy Angel, the photographer who first took the picture.

A Georgia family is hoping a viral campaign can help find a father a kidney donor. (Photo: Brandy Angel Photography BrandyAngel)

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RELATED | Georgia family mounts viral campaign to find donor
RELATED | Stranger donates kidney to police officer in need

It was that connection that convinced a complete stranger in Texas to donate his kidney to Raleigh Callaway.

And after it worked, photorapher Brandy Angel, and Raleigh's wife Kristi knew they could do more.

"Kristi and I just thought, we can't walk away from all these people and not help them. Because obviously the formula we used worked," said Angel.

So they set up Callaway's Angels, a non profit that will showcase the story of a different person in need of a kidney every week.

"People want to help. They want to give to other people. And once they have the information and the education," she said.

Chris Carroll donated a kidney to Raleigh Callaway. (Photo: BrandyAngel)

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This week, it's a 26 year old with only a 1% chance of a successful transplant.

Finding him a match will be difficult, maybe impossible, but they're not walking away.

"It's not where I thought my life would go, but I'm definitely excited about it," said Angel.

Check out their nonprofit here.

~   The following are generally-accepted requirements for living kidney donation:

~  good general health

~  normal kidney function

~  age 25 to 70 years (exceptions are made)

~  insurance coverage

~   Conditions that may exclude a person from becoming a living donor:

~  hypertension requiring medication

~  kidney disease

~  obesity (BMI > 35%)

~  certain infectious diseases, such as AIDS

~  some forms of diabetes

~  some forms of cancer

~  some forms of heart disease

~  ongoing drug abuse

~  some forms of hepatitis

~  some forms of psychiatric problems

~  kidney stones

·        Donor candidates will need to contact the Recipient’s transplant center if they know which one specifically.

·        People who would like to be altruistic donors in their local area (versus having to travel to the recipient transplant center), should contact the National Kidney Registry (NKR) website and register as a Altruistic donor.  Their information will then be sent to the nearest transplant facility.  They can do this at http://kidneyregistry.org/no_recipient.php

·        There are many Living Donor Assistance programs available to assist with various financial expenses.  I cannot vouch for any of these organizations, but you won’t know what kind of assistance Is available if you don’t look.  Google search it!

This story comes from a young man who has his whole life ahead of him. I am asking you to please read his story, make the call if it is in your heart to do so and share his story everywhere you can. As you will read, only 1% of the population can donate to him. He is the most difficult type of match, but we know NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! All it takes is for that one person to follow their heart and call to be tested as his rare match. Rob’s blood type is A - .
****HE CAN RECEIVE A KIDNEY FROM BLOOD TYPES A - , O - AND O + .****.
--My name is Rob Harding, and I am 26 years old. I was born with posterior urethral valves. Simply put, I have obstructing flaps of tissue in my urethra that prevent normal urine flow from my bladder to out of my body. The urinary reflux caused by the obstruction damaged my kidneys to the point of needing a transplant as a child. At the age of 13, I was blessed by a kidney donation from my Dad. To spare my new kidney the damage my native kidneys suffered, I had numerous procedures to allow me to completely rid my bladder of urine in order to protect my new kidney. The initial procedure, which involved using a small portion of my stomach to enlarge my bladder, was not fully successful at preventing reflux and caused me to have horrible bladder spasms. Another procedure, called the Mitrofanoff procedure, allowed me to self-catheterize through my abdomen, was painless and simple, and worked great! My new kidney did everything it was supposed to and made me a new, energetic, healthy teenager. Then, the pediatric urologist that had overseen my care for years retired. The urologist that replaced him felt that I could excrete all of my urine the natural way. Shortly after following that doctor’s orders, I developed a kidney infection that ultimately caused my kidney to fail. Because I have had one transplant and two subsequent blood transfusions while on dialysis, I am highly sensitized to the blood and tissue of others. My sensitivity to foreign blood and organs is 99%. That means that of 100 possible donors, ONE will be able to be my life-saving donor.
I have survived on hemodialysis since September of 2009 – over 5 years, and my body feels every single day of those 5 years. The days of feeling exhausted and drained only on dialysis days are long gone. Even on the days between clinic days, I have to make myself move, stand up, walk, “live”. I try not to spend too much time thinking about what I know is my reality. Dialysis is not an answer or solution to kidney failure. I will dialyze for 4 hours a day for 3 days every week until I receive a transplant or the Lord calls me Home. While I know the reality of kidney failure, I also know God has a plan for me. I just do not believe that God’s ultimate plan for me on earth is for me to be kept alive by a machine. That’s what dialysis is. It is life support, but I am conscious, awake and aware that my body is being kept alive by a machine. I pray, feel hopeful and TRUST that God’s plan for me does not end with a life on dialysis, and that His plan for me is similar to what I have dreamed of and envisioned for myself. I want to live a life that doesn’t revolve around dialysis every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I was attending college when I had to begin dialysis. I want to finish my college degree. I want to work full time. As a matter of fact, I would love to work overtime…I just want to be able to work. I want to meet the person meant for me, get married, have children and maybe even grandchildren. I remember what it felt like to have the energy to go, and really LIVE and experience life. It is a distant memory, but one I have not forgotten because it’s what keeps me going when all I want to do is sit, rest, sleep. God made a way for my story to reach each person reading my prayer and plea for help. Please, please, please if you are the blood type that could possibly be my 1 in 100 match, call Emory to be tested. Emory’s number is 1-855-366-7989. Let them know that you would like to be tested as a living donor match for me, Rob Harding (DOB 11/17/88). Thank you, and please keep me in your prayers.

If you are, or know someone who is, in need of a kidney transplant, please message us at [email protected].
 

Now for our very first feature: A Kidney for Bret Reiff  "My name is Bret Reiff, and I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in 1994. I have been able to avoid dialysis by taking medications as prescribed, following a very restricted diet and remaining under the constant care of my nephrologist. Those choices have served me well until recently. I now find myself on the brink of dialysis and desperate for a kidney transplant. I was approved for transplant and placed on the waiting list in May of this year. Members of my wife’s family have been tested but were not a match or were excluded for health reasons. No member of my family is able to donate because each of them has PKD. Living with PKD is not easy, but I’ve managed as best as I could. I try to work as if I don’t have this horrible condition, but I fatigue very easily. Just as my work has been affected, so has my personal life. My wife of nearly 20 years, Sandy, and I enjoy being active and doing things together. Unfortunately, my ability to do any activity that requires energy is cut short by exhaustion, swollen ankles or pain. My life literally revolves around this disease. I miss being able to stay up late with friends around the campfire and waking up early enough to watch the sunrise. PKD is also the primary reason that Sandy and I made the difficult decision to not have children. I just can’t stand the thought of someone else, my own child especially, having to suffer with this dreaded disease. To fill the void of not having children and do our part to help others, we sponsor Salvation Army Angels (children in need) each year. We never know the individual children we sponsor, but we feel good knowing that we can make a difference in a child’s life. We are also active members in our church and community. I would do anything to get my energetic, healthy life back. I do not want to miss out on any chance to make more memories with Sandy. I want to be able to lift more than 20 pounds and be the active man I was before PKD took over my life. The only way I can ever be who I once was is by receiving a kidney transplant. I have always found it easy to help others when I can, but it is not easy for me to ask for help. I have now reached a point that I know there is no other option than to ask for help from any and every one I can. My blood type is B+, and I can receive a kidney from those who are B +, B -, O + and O - . Please, if you feel the desire or need to help and be tested as a donor match for me, contact Emory at 855-366-7989. Let them know you would like to be tested as a living donor match for Marvin Bret Reiff (DOB 9/10/58). Thank you for even taking the time to read my story. I hope and pray it touches the heart of someone who would be willing to give me such a special gift – the gift of life."

"I sat down to watch the news one night and MY anchorwoman, Katie Couric, did a report on kidney chains. She told a story of one altruistic donor who gave his kidney away to a stranger and started a chain reaction of transplants all over the country. Before that show, I never heard of kidney chains and honestly didn’t know you could donate anything while you were still alive, other than blood, marrow, and hair. But after Katie explained it on her show and I did a bunch of research, I signed up to share my spare and start a kidney chain with the National Kidney Registry. It helped that her news report came on in November. Every year around that time I do something for someone else to celebrate my birthday, usually donating blood or attending a charity function. In my mind this was the perfect opportunity to give back, to be able to help someone in the most unconventional and necessary way." Meet Rachel from Northeast Indiana. As an altruistic donor through the National Kidney Registry (http://bit.ly/1ojtF3T), Rachel gave her spare kidney to an anonymous recipient from Pennsylvania in July 2012. In turn, his family member donated a kidney to an anonymous recipient in Illinois the very same day. "