In her letter to the congregation posted earlier this week, Melissa said that “our desire is to develop a culture . . . where those in need receive care, and we are able to minister by bearing one another’s burdens.” Coming up on Saturday, May 5th is a very visible opportunity to walk along side a family in our body, to enter into what is, for them, a daily struggle and seek to care for them. All Saints member, 5 year old Keenan Bell, has Cystic Fibrosis and he and his family would love your support at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s “Great Strides” walk at the Austin Zoo. Below are two letters, the first from Keenan, the second from his sister, Sydney, talking about Keenan’s struggle with CF and the importance of having the support of their friends. . .
Hi! My name is Keenan Bell and I am 5. I go to All Saints and love my Sunday School class. I learned to ride my bike today without training wheels! I have Cystic Fibrosis. CF makes me cough and sometimes get sick. I had to stay inthe hospital alot this year to get IV antibiotics to get rid of yucky bacteria and help me breathe better. I do 1 hr of treatments a day to help my breathing. My mom did a video of me doing my treatment so you can see. I also have to take my enzyme pills to help me digest my food, so I don’t have a tummy ache. I take about 21 capsules a day. I hope I get better. Come walk with me to raise money for CF, so one day I won’t have to do all my treatments and medicines. So help me and my friends with CF by donating to my walk on May 5th, 2012 at the Austin Zoo by clicking here. I love having my friends walk with me! Tell my mom and she can help you get signed up!
Thanks!
Keenan
Keenan with sister, Sydney, in February of 2012
My name is Sydney Bell and I am 7 and go to All Saints. My brother, Keenan has Cystic Fibrosis. He’s 5 years old and he has to take a treatment every morning and night and he has to take alot of pills for him to be well. Every time he eats something with fat or protein in it he has to take pills called enzymes. If he has a whole meal he has to take 4 pills and for a snack, 3 pills, and a tiny thing 1 pill. He swallows the pills all whole! Why I’m walking is to raise money and help him get better. You can let my mom know if you want to walk with us and raise money too. I like having my friends walk and we’ll be at the Austin Zoo on Saturday May 5 at 9am. It’s a fun day for our family!
You can donate online here or by bringing a check to class. Mom included a fun video of Keenan when he was little doing his treatment!
How Do We “Walk Along Side” One Another?