Carter Green and friends

I apologize for this overdue acknowledgment, but I wanted to thank a young man named Carter Green and his friends for their kind acts for Ben.

Last month, some of Carter’s friends on the Trinity varsity baseball team organized a game at Trinity field for Carter’s birthday. Instead of accepting presents, Carter chose to collect money for Ben. Carter, his mother Julie Green, and some of his friends visited with Ben and delivered the money they collected.

Below is a picture of Carter Green and Ben.

The next photo is Hammond Parsons, Carter Green, Mac Parsons, Ben, and Mary Frances Green.

Kasi Parsons, a friend of Lana’s, sent me an email that I am publishing to be sure everyone is properly recognized for their participation. These are Kasi’s words:

We took Ben the $ that Carter took up at his B’day party in lieu of presents. Some Trinity varsity baseball players organized a baseball game at the Trinity field for the 3rd grade boys for Carter’s b’day.

One of the varsity players that helped is Estes McLemore, Ben’s across the street neighbor. He and Hammond are in Mrs Shelley’s third grade at Trinity and their whole class has been praying for Ben for a long time. Hammond and Mac are neighbors of Bens. I have met you a couple of times. We were so thrilled to see him on Friday. He looks great …

I am so impressed with Carter’s compassion at such a young age. Ben and family greatly appreciate the efforts and kind acts by Carter and his friends.

Dinner Drive for Ben

Ben and family are back home where they belong! What a joyous event and such a huge step in his recovery!

We have had several offers to prepare dinner for the four of them. This is a great idea, very generous and much appreciated!

So, in order not to have too much food on one night or duplicate meals, we would like to organize a “dinner drive.”If you would like to prepare dinner for Ben and family, please email me at duos@earthlink.net  

We have a calendar and can list you on the date you would like to cook!

Right now, Ben doesn’t need too many visitors and he needs to get acclimated to home and a routine (and Lana needs rest…not sure when she’ll get it though) so we’ve designated two drop offs for food:

 __________

Tammy Cone  224-0320 or  356-0570

2620 Ashlawn Drive (Gay Meadows) MAP

 ___________

Brenda Duos   260-8083

505 County Downs Rd  (County Downs) MAP

___________ 

You all have been so incredible with your prayers, your gifts and your support. I speak for our entire family when I say that we are forever grateful.

Sincerely,

Brenda Duos

(a.k.a. Aunt Breeeenda)

Magnolia Park School Book Drive

Magnolia Park Elementary School in Ocean Springs, MS held a children’s book drive in memory of Chad Lee, Jr. and in honor of Ben. They collected over 1900 (yes, nearly two-thousand!) books.

Courtney Hubbard, who teaches nine and ten year old children, delivered the books this past Saturday to UAB hospital. Even more impressive, she and many other volunteers, took the time to put a sticker on every book! Jane Love, UAB child life specialist, met us on Saturday (her day off) and helped us unload and move the books to the 5th floor.

Later that day, Courtney and Ben met for the first time. Courtney also brought Ben a nice “beach” themed gift bag.

Lana was happy to pick out a book that Ben needs to read!

We know many children will derive much pleasure from the books for many years to come, and that Chad will be remembered each time a book is opened.

On behalf of UAB Hospital and the Grier family, we appreciate everyone’s efforts from Ocean Springs, MS.

UAB Park Picnic

I am a little behind publishing photos and video, so let’s get caught up!

Just before Ben was released from the hospital, he received a visit from Aubie. Here are some additional photos taken by one of his child life therapists (Blair):

Ben sizes up Aubie.

Ben finally gets comfortable and gives Aubie “five”.

Aubie gives Ben an autographed calendar with all of Auburn’s upcoming victories (it was very thick).

Ben and Blair pose for a picture.

Last Saturday, Ben and family attended a picnic at UAB park for organ recipients, living donors, and their families:

Ben and family enjoy some bar-be-que.

Ben makes his handprints for a quilt.

Aunt Tammy, Ben, Lana, and Blake are having a good time.

There were a lot of people there.

Can you find Ben in the crowd?

There was a lot of good music!

Later, back at the apartment:

Ben was hungry again — another chicken bites the dust!

Ben shows off his pajamas. 

The Griers having fun on the couch.

That’s all for now!

Girl Scout Lemonade Sale a Success!

Girl Scout troop #149 conducted a very impressive Lemonade Sale on Monday. I was told that they had everything set up so nicely and were ready to sell before school let out.

They raised $330 in 30 minutes!

Thanks go out to to their leaders: Dorothy Walker, Carmen Douglas and Diane Griffin.

Here are some photos of the group:

Lemonade Sale #1

Lemonade Sale #2

Lemonade Sale #3

Lemonade Sale #4

Great job girls!

Holy Comforter Preschool Art Show

Holy Comforter Preschool is hosting their annual Art Show tomorrow, April 20.

The time is 11:30 – 1:00.

The preschool children sell their art work to parents, grandparents and anyone else who would like to purchase beautiful art.

This year’s proceeds will be donated to the Ben Grier fund at Regions Bank.

It is rumored that there will be some “Ben Grier Originals” for sale.

Girl Scout Troop 149 – Lemonade Sale

Girl Scout Troop 149 invites you to a lemonade sale to benefit a family at Bear. Blake Grier is in Miss Cavanaugh’s class and his 4 year old brother, Ben, recently had a heart transplant.

The Girl Scouts are offering this community service to raise money for the Ben Grier Fund at Regions Bank.

Lemonade will be sold for $1.00 in the car carpool line from 3:30-4:00 on Monday, April 23rd.

We hope to see you then and thanks for your support!

Let Me Hold You (Ben’s Song)

John Sandy, a friend of Sonny’s and a local musician, wrote a very touching song in Ben’s honor (Scroll down to listen).

He named the song “Let Me Hold You (Ben’s Song)” … such an appropriate title considering how many times I heard Lana say that she wished she could hold Ben, but was unable to because he couldn’t be moved from his bed.

I spoke with John yesterday and he gave me permission to publish his words and music on Ben’s website. He said that he simply wanted to help in some small way.

Well, coming from a music lover like myself, I was very touched by John’s kind gesture. He is obviously a talented individual.

Sometimes music can communicate feelings and emotion far better than words alone. I believe this is one of those instances.

I added a photo slide-show to John’s soundtrack. I hope you enjoy!

Please take a moment and listen to Let Me Hold You (Ben’s Song)

Thanks John …

Let Me Hold You (Ben’s Song)

Let me hold you and take you in my arms
Out of the darkness, you’re my shining star
Everything you are to me
I want to be for you
Please believe me
My love is true.

We’ve been on this island now all to do is done
Love’s ocean will lift us on waves into the sun
Everything you are to me
I want to be for you
Please believe me
My love is true.

Let’s take this moment with us to make our brand new start
We’ll leave what we can’t carry, what’s too heavy for our hearts
Every part of me is you
In everything I do
Please believe me
I love you.

Words and music – John Sandy 2007

P.S. – John will be performing at the Benefit Concert at Down the Street Cafe on May 5th.

Thanks for Donating!

I want to thank everyone for donating at the Ben Grier Compassion Blood Drive. Ben’s older brother, Blake Grier, and I enjoyed meeting everyone and seeing old friends.

As we pulled up to the church, Blake got out and pointed to the sign so I didn’t miss my turn.

Afterwards, I was busy donating so all of the photography was handled by Blake.

Blake likes to take close-ups. Do I need a nose hair trimmer?

Blake poses with me as I donate.

If the sight of blood makes you squeamish, don’t look at this! As I said, Blake likes to take close-ups.

Blake and I sport our new Red Cross Donor caps, but it looks like we accidentally swapped caps.

Uncle Vernon looks like he donated over the limit — just kidding — they don’t allow that.

Thanks go out to Judy Harmann, Ivy Pittman and the Red Cross staff for sponsoring this event and allowing Ben’s family to help others in need.

Ben Grier Compassion Blood Drive

American Red Cross

American Red Cross of Central Alabama 

Media Alert

Contact: Evan Duffy
251-662-2581
duffyek@usa.redcross.org

Ben Grier Compassion Blood Drive

Monday, April 16, 2007
1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
 
St. Mark United Methodist Church ( map )
Fellowship Hall
1785 Taylor Road
Montgomery, AL 36117

(April 9, 2007)- At no time is the constant, critical need for blood more magnified than when a child is in need of donor blood in the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region of the American Red Cross. Each day, children and adults all over the region need the gift of life that only a volunteer blood donor can provide, and now donors in the Montgomery area will be able to help meet the needs of Montgomery resident Ben Grier, a 4-year-old who recently underwent a life-saving heart transplant at UAB Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, a hospital currently supplied with blood by the American Red Cross.

The son of Sonny and Lana Grier, Ben underwent transplant surgery on April 6 after a suitable heart was located from Tennessee. Though often transplant patients wait for extended periods to find matching organs for transplantation, there is another component to any successful transplant: the availability of blood for transfusion. In Ben’s case, the blood he needed was on hand to facilitate his operation, thanks to donors who graciously give of their time and blood in order to save lives.

Donors in the Montgomery area will get a chance to make the same kind of impact on the lives of others in need of blood from volunteer donors as part of the Ben Grier Compassion Blood Drive, scheduled for Monday, April 16 from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, located at 1785 Taylor Road in Montgomery.
 
“This is one of those cases where the ‘local blood’ argument just doesn’t hold water,” said Evan Duffy, Senior Communications Specialist for the American Red Cross. “In this case, Ben is from Montgomery but had to be treated at UAB Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. That hospital is supplied by the American Red Cross, and the blood used in his transfusion likely came from donors scattered across the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region. If everyone had a ‘local blood’ mindset, then the blood wouldn’t be in place where it is needed in situations such as this one. We are glad that thanks to generous volunteer donors, Ben was able to get the blood he needed where he needed it.”

The American Red Cross is charged with providing blood and blood products to over 100 hospitals in the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region, and while it may be difficult to find the time to donate amidst the flurry of springtime activity, patients in the region’s hospitals are in desperate need of live-giving blood. Cases such as Ben’s magnify the need for routine blood donation, as blood must be on the shelf when it is needed in order to save lives.

Blood, moreover blood donors, can save up to two lives per donation. The statistics are staggering. Every two seconds, someone in our region needs blood to survive. Some 700 donations are needed per day in our region alone just to meet the current need for blood, creating a constantly critical need for donors who roll up their sleeves to save the lives of their neighbors. The victim of a traffic accident could need between four and 100 units of blood. The average heart bypass patient needs four to six units. The need for blood is constant, because trauma and emergency medical procedures never take a vacation.

To donate, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Donors must also show identification in the form of a driver’s license or ARC donor card. If you are sick and cannot donate, please encourage a friend or loved one to donate in your place. If everyone who could donate would donate, there would never be a blood shortage in our area.

The American Red Cross will give a little back to the donors who give so much of their own time, blood and resources during this time of the year. All donors who give in the month of April will receive a t-shirt and ball cap. All presenting donors will also be entered into a regional drawing for a “New York Get Away” package, which includes two roundtrip tickets on Delta Air Lines, a two-night weekend stay at a New York Marriott hotel and two tickets to see a performance by Blue Man Group. In addition, all donors will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A Sandwich.

Do your part to make sure that every story ends as happily as Ben’s. The 4-year-old has undergone his critical surgery and is well on the road to recovery, thanks to the UAB medical staff, a heart from a child in Tennessee and blood from volunteer blood donors around the region. The need for blood can arise suddenly and without warning, so help make sure blood is there when it is needed and where it is needed. After all, when you give blood you give the gift of life. There really is no greater gift one can give.

Make an appointment today at www.givelife.org , code # 5347mtg.

Give blood, give life