Excerpt from Hands for Hunter:
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-
Lorrie Pizzola, Chairwoman "Hands for Hunter"
