Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit Albany NY

WE WISH ALL OF YOU THE WARMEST OF HOLIDAY GREETING'S

 
Photo by ACCFCB's Photographer, Altair Roland at his home.

We wish all of you the warmest of holiday greetings and a very Happy, Healthy New Year!

$14,552 PLEDGED FOR 2011!

THANK YOU to All Albany County Employees who will donate from their paychecks throughout 2011 to support seriously ill children in our community! Our special thanks to ACCF Correction Officers Jeff DiNuzzo, Tim Burke and ACCF Account Clerk-Payroll Florence Paquette for coordinating this effort! If you would like to donate to help our kids, please visit us at www.accfcb.org. 

Fred Vaillancourt's $780 pledge stands on top of the list, followed very closely by Richard Lyons $572, Bob Vanderheyden $520 and Peter Favata $468. Very generous gentleman, Thank You!

List of donors

James Deere, age 4 Joins ACCF Children's Benefit Family

 

James Deere entered AMCH emergency room on 4/12/10 with what was believed to be a "stomach virus" when in fact tests proved it was a very rare strep type A blood infection. James decompensated very quickly and was in kidney failure, septic (Lack of blood and oxygen to tissue), and suffering from toxic shock (Bacterial Infection) due to the strep group A entering his blood stream. 

Normally this bug would only result in a typical "sore" strep throat; however, if it finds its way into the bloodstream it will wreak havoc. Unfortunately, James' left arm and right leg were amputated due to the damage done by the disease. 

An MRI revealed he had a stroke (Interruption of Blood Supply) and suffered hypoxia of the cerebellum (lack of oxygen supply) to the basal ganglia (Brains Message Center). "James is unable to communicate with us, but this is our biggest wish" James mom, Heather tells ACCFCB. 

"This journey has been very harrowing, trying, & scary. We have such a long road ahead of us and are hoping for a full recovery... We most definitely credit AMCH with saving James life for which we will always be grateful." ACCFCB getting involved with is "Wonderful News!" James mom, Heather said.  

James has been in Boston for the last 4 months receiving medical and rehabilitation treatment and to be fitted for Prosthetics. James also became a big brother to his newborn sister, Hope for which we congratulate their family. 

Please continue to pray for their 'Little Man'.

Evan Kimmerer, 12 "Officially Done After 1 Year Of Chemo. Thank God!!!!" (Mom)

 
Evan pictured with Mom, Cindy Kimmerer

Evan was diagnosed on Sept 20, 2009 with brain cancer (Medullo Blastoma). The tumor was removed at Albany Medical Center Hospital the following day and Evan underwent 7 weeks of radiation which started Monday Oct 19. Evan underwent 1 year of chemotherapy treatments which started late in October, 2009 and FINALLY completed on Monday, December, 6, 2010. Evan's mom reports on Evan Kimmerer's CaringBridge Site that "All in all Evan is feeling really good."

We send our Prayers to Evan and his family that he remains on the road to health. Please visit Evan's CaringBridge site and wish him well. 

Hunter Sanchez, Age 13 Showing Hard Work Is Paying Off....

 
Hunter w/ Dr. Standard in Baltimore   Hunter's X-rays

On May 11, 2010, Hunter Sanchez underwent major hip surgery due to a rare bone disease and returned home on May 22, 2010 to face a long recovery, several months of bed rest and a year of Physical Therapy.

On November 30, 2010, Hunter had his follow up appointment at Sinai Hosp in Baltimore, Maryland and mom, Noelle reports very GOOD News-

"All of Hunter's hard work in PT has paid off, he has good blood flow and is healing nicely! Hunter still has a good deal of pain but this just might be the way it is. We don't have to go back until February. Then we will be discussing taking those screws out. We want Hunter to get as much strength as possible before we think about more surgery since it will put him non weight bearing for at least a month. We talked about the left hip a bit but have decided to put that one off for as long as possible as long as Hunter can manage with it. Something to re-evaluate in 2012."

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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 and faced a year long extensive Physical Therapy regiment.

Hunter had another surgery on May 11, 2010 and returned home on May 22, 2010 to face several months of bed rest and a year of Physical Therapy.

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