Miracles in the Making: Grant Recipient LorMona Meredith

One of our latest grant recipients from far out Hawaii just wrote us an incredible note with some personal history and how Meredith's Miracles was able to benefit her...

Talofa and Aloha!!!

My name is LorMona Meredith (most people call me Mona).  I am Samoan and a mother to two adorable children – Marilei Lemalie, my 9 year old daughter and Adruen Daniel, my 5 year old son.  I am a single parent and I have worked for the University of Hawa'ii at the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) for approximately five years as the HIMB Office Manager.  I love music (all kinds), reading, going to church, learning new things,  spending time with my children and family, and helping those in need.

I have had chronic abdominal pain and related-health issues for the past 3 and half years with different diagnoses - irritable bowel syndrome, cholecystisis etc. No one could really tell me what was wrong with me nor could they explain why I kept having mysterious stomach aches. I began to live with the pain and accepted it as a ‘normal’ way of life. On yet another visit to the doctor’s office for the same stomach pain, a nurse practitioner looked at my history and concluded that it was the gall stones in my gall bladder that was the culprit. She suggested surgery. In 2011 I underwent cholecystostomy but a few days later was hospitalized due to a postoperative bile leak in my stomach cavity. Recently, a large tumor was discovered developing within the walls of my digestive system and in early March 2013 I was diagnosed with moderately differentiated ardenocarcinoma – Stage 3 Colon Cancer. I had an open subtotal colocetomy in late March 2013 to remove the tumor, and I am currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment. I am on leave from work and did not qualify for temporary disability benefit income due to exhausting all of my sick leave. Family and friends have helped me stay financially afloat these past few months, and have been my rock and support network during this time.

My social worker and friend told me about Meredith’s Miracles Colon Cancer Foundation. I read about Meredith’s story and I immediately felt like I could relate to her!  I turned to Meredith’s Miracles for help and not only did they give me the help that I so desperately needed, they also gave me hope! They paid for some of my rental expenses and wanted to hear and share my story. I am grateful to Meredith’s Miracles for not only helping my little family out, but for the aloha (love), comfort and hope they give to others who are facing similar battles. One day, when I am well and back on my feet, I hope to give back to this great organization and to others who have shown me this great kindness. Thank you Meredith’s Miracles for truly blessing my family with your gift of aloha and hope. Thank you all for making these miracles happen! 

God Bless!!!

LorMona L. Meredith

Kaneohe, Hawai’i 

Thank you LorMona for sharing your story with us! Keep at it girl - keep fighting! We love hearing from our grant recipients and receiving updates on their lives; that is something that makes the hard work put into the foundation totally worth it. 

Miracles in the Making: Grant Recipient Gloria Acevedo

Gloria Acevedo is a 36 year old single mother of two daughters (age 12 and 16) who was diagnosed with colon cancer only after doctors performed exploratory surgery, believing the cause of her symptoms were inflamed appendicitis revealed in a CT scan.  She had been experiencing stomach issues and abdominal pain for several months prior.Her doctor did perform an FOB testing, which revealed some microscopic blood in her stool just before she began having the acute pain that they believed related to the appendix, but still didn't feel a colonoscopy was appropriate because of her age and medical history . . .

She was diagnosed October 2012, and will continue to have chemotherapy treatment through November, 2013.  When Gloria sent this photo to us, she attached this note:

"Anything will help.  Bless your heart and those who have the kindness to donate.This is me and my lovely girls.  They are my motor.  Sorry I don't look " ill"...many people give me that comment, to which I thank God."

Miracles in the Making: Grant Recipient Kelly Hay

On October 16, 2012, Kelly Hay began experiencing abdominal pain, and for the following two days, the pain grew so intense that she knew she needed to see a doctor.  Within days, she was in surgery to resection  her colon and remove her left ovary, all symptomatic of stage 4 colon cancer.  Further tests revealed more lesions in her liver.

Before her diagnosis, Kelly had found her true purpose as a substance abuse counselor, having earned her PhD in clinical psychology.  As a single career woman, she is very proud to say that she owns her own home, and having to rely on the assistance of others has been difficult.  Kelly would like to thank the generous people who support Meredith’s Miracles Colon Cancer Foundation for helping her with living expenses as she recuperates from her most recent surgery in April, 2013, and strives to return to work full time in the next few weeks. 

MMCCF Thirty-One Fundraiser Event

Avid Meredith's Miracles supporter and 31 Gifts Consultant Blakely Brown has decided to host a fundraising event through her 31 gifts business. Blakely has offered to sell the popular Large Utility Tote for $40.00 and donate $12.50 of that to MMCCF! 

This includes tax and shipping!!! A Large Utility Tote is usually over $40.00 with tax and shipping. So you are saving money, while donating to MMCCF at the same time!!! Here is how it works:

Price includes tax and shipping.See personalization guide below  for options.
Add $8 for text only
Add $8 for Icon only
Add $10 for Icon with text

Ordering options:
You can download the document below and fill it out and email/mail it to Blakely at: blakelyb.31gifts@hotmail.com or 6210 Woodcrest Dr., Burlington, KY 41005.

OR you can email Blakely or send her a private message on FaceBook with the following info:

Name:
Address:
Phone #:
Email:
Print Choice(s) and Quantity:

Personalization Options (see personalization guide below)
Text, Icon, or Both:
Font Color:
Font Style:
If Icon, which one?:
Icon Thread Color:
Personalization Text (12 character limit on 1 line or 8 characters on 2 lines):
Line 1: Line 2:


Payment Options - Cash, Check (Made out to: Blakely Brown), PayPal

You can find more information and can easily contact Blakely on our facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/MMCCF 

Please consider this very simple way to donate to MMCCF!!! This tote is very useful...

and everytime you use it this summer you can think of all of the families that you helped!! A huge thanks to Blakely for thinking of this great way to fundraise for MMCCF!!

Another great way to use the tote!! :) 

Miracles in the Making: Grant Recipient Duane Leon

Duane started suffering from abdominal pain last May.  He ignored it until he ended up in the emergency room.  He was diagnosed in August 2012 with stage 4 colon cancer.  It has also spread to his liver.  He is unable to work because of the extensive chemotherapy and therefore has gotten behind in his bills.  Meredith's Miracles was able to grant his family with two months payments on their mortgage.  Duane lives in Lithonia, Georgia with his wife and two busy sons!  He is 39 years young.