Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit Albany NY

Hunter Sanchez, age 12 of Schodack- Will Undergo More Extensive Surgery

Hunter Sanchez Oct 31, 2008 Capital News 9 Interview

 2006  2007 

 2008  2008

 2010 w/ sister Gabrielle

At the age of 8, Hunter complained of leg pain which doctors diagnosed as Bi-Lateral Legg-Calve Perthes Disease- (a rare disease that causes bone death in the ball of both hips due to a lack of blood flow). He went from being a very active child to confinement in a wheelchair.

Hunter had surgery in January 2007 and spent 5 months recovering @ Sinai Hosp in Baltimore, Maryland. He was finally able to come home in May to face a year long extensive Physical Therapy regiment.

On July 6, 2007, Hunter received the Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit's "Courage Award" at our 3rd annual "TEED OFF FOR TOT'S" Golf Classic Event. The award highlighted the tremendous courage Hunter displayed during his long ordeal and was well DESERVED!  

The following is an UPDATE from Hunter's mom Noelle (2010):

Hi John (Smith),

The last year has been rough for Hunter with his pain getting worse and worse.

In May 2010 Hunter is scheduled for his 1st of 4 surgeries to take place approx.
over the next three years.

Hunter's femoral head on the right is wide and flat and has outgrown the
acetabulum. His acetabulum has taken on a flat shape also. Not good.
They are going to cut down and resurface the femoral head.
He has no femoral neck on the right and very little on the left.

They are going to move the greater trochanter down and make a femoral neck for
him. 2 screws to reattach the greater trochanter (which come out later) and One
support screw up the new neck they make him, which is permanent .

It's an 8 hour surgery. Much longer than fixators but easier recovery (we pray). 
2-3 weeks (HOPEFULLY) in Baltimore and 3 months recovery at home with Full time
Physical therapy. He will have a brace and crutches.

Without Hunter's 1st fixator surgery in 2007, this one would not be possible.

Hunter was able to play 2 years of baseball and pitched last year.

We were blessed with the Nassau Baseball Assoc. and His coach Brett Doty who
worked with Hunter's Limitations to give him the best playing experience he
could have.

Hunter is OK with all of it. He just wants the pain to go away.
Sorry I couldn't update you with great news but I am certain one day I will
send you an email that says he is all done, mostly pain free and walking well.

>Noelle Sanchez

VIDEO Link- Connor Menneto To Receive Cleveland Clinic's COURAGE AWARD

The Cleveland Clinic recognizes 3 children every year out of the thousands they treat with their Courage Award- This year Connor has won the award! It is the first time someone treated in the pain program will be recognized. He will receive this HUGE honor at a black tie gala in Cleveland in April, 2010. 

Cleveland Clinic: Pain clinic last resort for children

CLEVELAND -- Most of us have experienced physical pain but imagine it being so intense you can hardly move or be touched. That's life for some teenagers at the Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Program. Click to view Connor's Channel 3 News Interview- Cleveland Clinic 

ACCFCB takes this opportunity to CONGRATULATE Connor, this courage award is absolutely EARNED! Keep up your tremendous effort and please share photos with us of your Courage Award so we can post it here on our website. Sincerely, John Smith- President 

(E-mail Tue 3/02/10 10:32 PM)-    

Hi John (Smith),  Please share with your group Connor's honors. They are a very important part of his story.  Connor finds the courage everyday to get up and live knowing he will be in pain and that the CRPS is spreading but more importantly that he has people that believe he can get beyond that. He knows there are people that believe he is more than his diagnosis. I can not tell you how much it helped him and I do know we had your support. When it comes to illness and children, miracles can happen with the help of caring people.

Thank you

The Menneto Family

 

Connor Suffers with "CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), first discovered in the Civil War, is still barely understood. But it's known to come about after multiple injuries to an extremity -- such as the breaks in Connor's leg.

Like the phantom sensations experienced by an amputee, the disease causes the brain to send out pain signals for trauma that doesn't exist. And the pain is far worse than any trauma might be." Times Union Staff Writer ALAN WECHSLER

Tribute to Tyler DeMarco "Rest In Peace" May 16, 1997- February 23, 2010

     
Tribute to Tyler DeMarco whose shortened life touched so many others.....
Click Here To Leave The DeMarco Family a Message

 
  
"On June 28, 2006 the CAT scan revealed a tennis ball sized tumor in the fourth ventricle of Tyler's brain.  The tumor was diagnosed as Medulloblastoma.   On July 3, 2006 the brain tumor was successfullyy removed through surgery.

In March 2008 Tyler was cancer free and considered in remission.

On March 23, 2009, as part of a routine followup exam, Tyler completed another brain and spinal MRI.  On March 24, 2009 we received the call... Tyler had a recurrence of Medulloblastoma that had metastasized  to his spinal cord" -Don DeMarco (dad)

Tyler DeMarco, 12, of Rotterdam, New York went to be with Jesus on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 while at home with his loving and adoring family by his side.

ACCFCB extends our sincere broken hearted condolences to Don, Pam and Ryan for the loss of their "Amazing Tyler" who will be forever in your hearts.

Aiden Suffers Setback- Will Remain in Intensive Care....

Photo of Aiden Torres taken on February 18, 2010 inside Neonatal Intensive Care Unit @ AMCH

Aiden suffered a setback during his ever increasing feeding process when his abdomen started to expand and bile had to be pumped from his stomach. Doctor's immediately ordered all mother's nutrients to be stopped for now and TPN (Total parenteral nutrition- supplies all daily nutritional requirements) to be administered.

Aiden, born with Gastroschesis (Intestines outside of his body) has remained in Albany Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit since his birth on Thanksgiving, 2009.  

ACCFCB reported on February 18, 2010 that Aiden was GOING HOME as early as tomorrow- Monday, February 22, 2010, this is an unfortunate development.

Alexandrea age 14, Visits ACCF After Her Release From Hospital......

Pictured with Alexandrea is Correction Officer Daphny Smith.

02-20-2010: Alexandrea Howlan visits her friends at the Albany County Correctional Facility after her recent stay at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Alex was diagnosed with Moya-Moya Syndrome at age 18 months, a condition restricting the blood and oxygen flow to her brain. She suffered through multiple surgeries over the years at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH), the last was in August of 2004. Alex's surgeon at BCH- Dr. Scott, refers to Alex as his "little challenge" because she is a special case. Dr. Scott told mom (Alicia Howlan), that surgery seems not to be the answer, that her arteries are too restricted. Alex has suffered several strokes, a direct cause of this disease.

ACCFCB learned of Alexandrea's plight in November of 2004. We have stayed close to Alexandrea and her family, assisting them where we can. Alex told ACCFCB upon accepting her "Courage Award" on July 7, 2006- "I'm glad I met new friends like you...I thank god for special people in the world each day and god led me to all of you" Alex, you will always be our special angel and we thank heaven for leading us to you too!