Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit Albany NY

Pen Pals Lead Mirror Lives

NASSAU, N.Y. -- "They actually have an accent in New Zealand. It's like Australian and almost British," said 11 year old Hunter Sanchez.

He's describing the voice of his overseas pen pal Samuel Oomen.

"It was about two and a half years ago actually. We've been emailing ever since," he said.

After countless emails, package mailings, and 2 phone calls, the pair finally met last week California.

Home video captured the boys ust being being kids. What's not seen in the video is their inner struggle with a rare bone disease called Legg-Calve-Perthes.

The childhood condition is associated with a temporary loss of blood supply to the hip joint. Often times it stunts growth.

Despite the effects, the disease brought two boys from opposite ends of the world together.

"It's nice meeting someone going through the same thing at the same time because you know what each other is feeling, you can just really connect to them," said Sanchez.

While the disease binds them, Hunter says that's not what their friendship is about.

"We just talk about what regular kids would talk about. We don't really talk about Perthes that much because when you do, I mean, you swear your hip starts to hurt," he said.

Wise beyond his years, Hunter now knows someone half way around the world is just like him. Someone he can call a friend and a brother.

"If I was having a problem, if my hip had been acting up, he'd know just what to say. He'd know just what it's like because he's been there, he's done that and he still gets it," he said."

Hunter says he's looking forward to meeting his pen pal again.His Noelle says the Oomens are planning a trip to the United States in a few years.

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Hands for Hunter Update

From l to r: John Smith, President ACCFCB; Lorrie Pizzola, Chairperson Hands for Hunter; Donna Smith, Board Member ACCFCB Click here to access Hunter's picture gallery.

The Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit, Inc. would like to Congratulate www.HandsForHunter.org on their extraordinary effort to help Hunter and his family in their time of need. Hands for Hunter attempted to break the Guiness book of world's record for the longest paperclip chain. They missed it by just 3/4 of a mile. The record stands at 22.14 miles- Hunter's chain was 21.43 miles. However, over $17,000 was donated for the event and in total over $35,000 has been raised thus far to assist Hunter. By any measure, helping Hunter was the true motivation for the event.

Lorrie Pizzola, chairperson for Hands for Hunter said,

"I can't thank you (ACCFCB) enough for your incredible support. We never could've pulled this off without ACCFCB on so many levels. It was the benefit of your good name that helped us secure the paperclips for our event, which in turn the catalyst for raising money. Please extend my thanks to everyone...."

ACCFCB is sponsoring housing and meals for Hunter and his family during their 5 month stay in Baltimore, Maryland at a cost of ~ $8,000. Hunter's family estimates that there will be ~ $80,000 in out of pocket expense after insurance.

Hunter Sanchez

Excerpt from www.HandsForHunter.org.

Hunter Sanchez is a Fourth Grader at Maple Hill Middle School. "Hands for Hunter" is a local group of that have come together to assist Hunter in his fight against Legg-Calve Perthes disease. Hunter was diagnosed at the age of 8 years old making his case quite rare. He rapidly went from an active and athletic child to being limited in mobility and confined to a wheelchair.

According to the National Osteonecrosis Foundation, Legg-Calve Perthes is a rare disease of the hip that afflicts approximately 1 in 1200 children and just 5% of all diagnosed develop the disease in both hips (bilaterally). The prognosis and outcome increase in severity in older children like Hunter.

Hunter has been approved for a unique surgery at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland that will possibly give him the opportunity to walk, run and play again. After his procedure he will spend several weeks in Baltimore recovering and then is expected to return home. However, he will need aggressive physical therapy and follow-up doctor's visits that will require him to fly back to Baltimore weekly. As part of his recovery, Hunter will require custom made fixators, a reclining wheelchair, hospital bed with medical airflow mattress and a specially designed brace.

The financial burden on his family is overwhelming. "Hands for Hunter" was formed by friends and classmates to help offset the costs and ensure that Hunter is given every opportunity medically available to allow him physical use of his legs again.

As part of our fundraising efforts we are setting out to break the World Record for the Longest Paper Clip Chain, which currently stands at 22.17 miles long. A group of 60 motivated children and their families, with countless other special operations volunteers will work through a continuous 24-hour period to break the record. The children participating will be seeking donations to help raise money for Hunter's care.

This is a community-wide effort and a spirited way for children to support a classmate in need. Whether you're a business able to donate food, paperclips, lumber or other goods in support of our event, an individual wishing to make a donation to support Hunter, or an enthusiastic volunteer, your kindness and generosity are deeply appreciated.