Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit Albany NY

Natalie Welch

 
Natalie's right arm was paralyzed due to complications from birth. She traveled to Boston Children's Hospital for corrective surgery on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 with mom Jessica Jones, dad Shawn Welch and brother Cameron age 3. Surgeons removed nerves from behind both of her legs to reconnect them through her right arm for limited use.

John Smith, President of ACCFCB met with Natalie and her family on Monday evening, December 8, 2003 to drop off four boxes of gently used toddler toys that had been donated to the family by ACCF Correction Officer, George Baranski. John then informed the family that ACCFCB would team with the Elise Donlon Foundation to cover all expenses for this trip with Natalie to BCH. 

Natalie's mom Jessica said, "if you didn't help us, there was no other way that we could have afforded to be together as a family during this very tough time - especially during Christmas".

Albany Medical Center Entertainment Room Renovation

On April 7, 2002, ACCFCB held an event at Bowler's Club in Latham, New York to raise money for the Albany Medical Center Hospitals Pediatric ICU entertainment room for recovering children on the 7th floor.

We were able to restock and rebuild this room through the generosity of the community and local businesses. The project received it biggest boost through the extraordinary efforts of Mr. Frank Commisso, Democratic Majority Leader of the Albany County Legislature; Mr. John Egan, Former President of the Albany International Airport; and Mr. Morris "Marty" Silverman, Founder of Renaissance Corporation of Albany.

A check was presented by Frank in the amount of $25,000 towards this project. We raised over $35,000 which exceeded our goal by $15,000 and in turn we also completed some needed renovations to the adjoining toddler room.

Our sincere thank you goes to everyone who made a difference for these special children, including the staff at AMCH!

The entertainment room prior to the fundraiser...

Barb Pelligrini- AMCH staff; Congressman Mike McNulty; Albany County Sheriff James Campbell and Albany County Executive Mike Breslin who were all instrumental in making this project a success.

The ACCFCB Staff and some Albany Medical Center Staff in the room prior to the renovations.

This is how the room looks after the renovations.

The staff on the PICU have since told me that "The children love the entertainment room and it is greatly utilized".

John R Smith, President ACCFCB

Charlene A. Clements

October 29, 2005

Charlene is 14 years old and weighs just 50 pounds. She lives with her family in Schodack, NY.

As a baby, she was diagnosed with Russell-Silver Syndrome and suffers with Heart and Kidney disorders. She can not speak nor care for herself. She shows how much she cares by the touch of her hand.

On October 10, 2005 both of Charlene's Kidneys had to be removed at Boston Children's Hospital. Charlene's mom Fran monitors her dialysis machine at home, which runs 12 hours a day.

Charlene is on the top of the waiting list to receive a Kidney at Boston Children's Hospital. When a donor match is found, Charlene will have about 3-4 hours to get to Boston Children's Hospital for her life saving transplant.

Our children's foundation met Charlene and Fran on October 29, 2005. We can tell you first hand that Charlene is a lovely girl whose touch melted our hearts.

We plan to support Charlene and her family when they are called to Boston. Arrangements have been made to fly them from the South Albany Airport to Norwood Massachusetts Airport. Once there, a Massachusetts Police Cruiser will drive them directly to BCH.

We pray that Charlene receives this gift of life.

The Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit, Inc. is grateful to Renegade Pigs Motorcycle Club Troy, NY Chapter (Phil "Blackie" Sayers) for bringing this family to our attention.

We sincerely thank local attorney Mr. Terry Kindlon for agreeing to fly this family to Norwood, Massachusetts at a moments notice in his privately owned plane.

We thank Robert's Garage for all of the complimentary repairs to this family's vehicle.

Carlee Nichole Carey

Carlee was born on August 13, 2005. She lives in Watervliet, NY with her Mom Sara, Dad Kevin and Sister Amanda.

Carlee was diagnosed on October 22, 2005 with Infantile Osteopetrosis- a rare, life threatening bone disease.

Carlee and her family plan to travel to Boston Children's Hospital on Monday, December 5, 2005 for treatment. Carlee will go through 4 days of Chemotherapy, then a day of rest and then another 4 days of chemotherapy. The bone morrow transplant will then be done. Their stay in Boston will be anywhere from 3 months to 1 year. The family plans to stay at the Ronald McDonald House.

Our children's foundation met with Carlee and her family on November 20, 2005. Carlee is absolutely beautiful and this family definitely needs our support, said Suzanne MacDaniel, 1st Vice President of Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit, Inc.

We plan to support Carlee and her family during their extended stay in Boston.

We pray that this young family will come home with a healthy baby girl.

Alexandrea Howlan

Alex was diagnosed with Moya-Moya Syndrome at age 18 months, this condition restricts 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 recently told mom (Alicia Howlan), that surgery seems not to be the answer, that her arteries are too restricted. Alex suffered with several strokes, a direct cause of this disease.

We learned of Alexandrea's plight in November of 2004. We have stayed close to Alexandrea and her family. 

Alex told ACCFCB- "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."

To Alex: "You will always be our special angel and we thank god for leading us to you too!"

Visit to Alex's home at Christmas time (2004)

 

Alex at Boston Children's Hospital Red Sox display case (a big fan).