I know I don't have a long list of "followers" but for those of you who do read my blog on a regular basis, you know I am passionate about advocating for those with special needs, hence my career choice. I received this email from my friend Jess, whose daughter Parker was diagnosed with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) in utero and passed away shortly after birth in 2006, regarding the organization founded to honor Parker and support others who receive a diagnosis of CDH.
I am posting the email below because I firmly believe that the Lord is using Jess and her husband Ashley in a mighty way. They have responded to their daughter's death in such an amazing way that only God can receive the glory. Despite their own pain and grief, they founded the Parker Reese Foundation to offer hope to those who are facing the same despair and uncertainty they themselves experienced. It is awe-inspiring and I want to help in whatever way that I can, especially with spreading the word.
At my ultrasound last month, I questioned the technician about the location of the heart, lungs, intestines, and other organs of our new baby because of my new found knowledge of CDH. It is not a well-known birth defect but according to Children's Hospital Boston, it occurs 1 out of every 2,500 births. This is more frequently than spina bifida, a more well-known birth defect receiving more funds for research, which occurs 7 out of every 10,000 births (Spina Bifida Association). Awareness is the first step in helping families who receive a CDH diagnosis.
Visit their website to see pictures of Parker's House, the house Jess and Ashley have renovated for families to use while their child is in the hospital. The house is awesome and truly a blessing to those who need it.
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If you are like me, you receive many requests for charitable contributions each year. You want to be generous but few of us have the resources to respond adequately to each one. It takes some thought to narrow down the list of causes to a few where you can make a difference. In January we founded an organization where we know we are making a difference in congenital diaphragmatic hernia awareness. This organization is The Parker Reese Foundation created in memory of our daughter after she lost her battle to congenital diaphragmatic hernia in May 2006.
The Parker Reese Foundation exists to fight the congenital diaphragmatic hernia birth defect. We are committed to funding research, advocating public awareness, supporting parents, children, family members and friends facing the diagnosis or who have been diagnosed with the congenital diaphragmatic hernia birth defect. We will carry out this mission by supporting the medical community, encouraging and funding research efforts to find a cause and to effectively treat those diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, sponsoring public awareness campaigns and supporting all who seek our organization.
We are asking you to please help support our mission by making a tax exempt donation today. Every dollar you send will help families who have been or will be diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Please go to our website at http://www.theparkerreesefoundation.com/ to donate through Paypal or you can mail a check to Post Office Box 2199, Elizabethtown, NC 28337.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Your contribution is truly an investment in the future of families affected by congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Sincerely Yours,
Jessica Singletary
President
I am posting the email below because I firmly believe that the Lord is using Jess and her husband Ashley in a mighty way. They have responded to their daughter's death in such an amazing way that only God can receive the glory. Despite their own pain and grief, they founded the Parker Reese Foundation to offer hope to those who are facing the same despair and uncertainty they themselves experienced. It is awe-inspiring and I want to help in whatever way that I can, especially with spreading the word.
At my ultrasound last month, I questioned the technician about the location of the heart, lungs, intestines, and other organs of our new baby because of my new found knowledge of CDH. It is not a well-known birth defect but according to Children's Hospital Boston, it occurs 1 out of every 2,500 births. This is more frequently than spina bifida, a more well-known birth defect receiving more funds for research, which occurs 7 out of every 10,000 births (Spina Bifida Association). Awareness is the first step in helping families who receive a CDH diagnosis.
Visit their website to see pictures of Parker's House, the house Jess and Ashley have renovated for families to use while their child is in the hospital. The house is awesome and truly a blessing to those who need it.
**************************************************
If you are like me, you receive many requests for charitable contributions each year. You want to be generous but few of us have the resources to respond adequately to each one. It takes some thought to narrow down the list of causes to a few where you can make a difference. In January we founded an organization where we know we are making a difference in congenital diaphragmatic hernia awareness. This organization is The Parker Reese Foundation created in memory of our daughter after she lost her battle to congenital diaphragmatic hernia in May 2006.
The Parker Reese Foundation exists to fight the congenital diaphragmatic hernia birth defect. We are committed to funding research, advocating public awareness, supporting parents, children, family members and friends facing the diagnosis or who have been diagnosed with the congenital diaphragmatic hernia birth defect. We will carry out this mission by supporting the medical community, encouraging and funding research efforts to find a cause and to effectively treat those diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, sponsoring public awareness campaigns and supporting all who seek our organization.
We are asking you to please help support our mission by making a tax exempt donation today. Every dollar you send will help families who have been or will be diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Please go to our website at http://www.theparkerreesefoundation.com/ to donate through Paypal or you can mail a check to Post Office Box 2199, Elizabethtown, NC 28337.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Your contribution is truly an investment in the future of families affected by congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Sincerely Yours,
Jessica Singletary
President
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