Benefit and Health Update on Cordelia

Well, it has been 10 days since the Caring for Cordelia benefit and we are just now getting back into the "normal" swing of things! But, most importantly, the baskets have been picked up, the money has been counted and the summary of it all is that...

Between pre-sale ticket sales and donations and day of event sales, raffles and donations, we were able to raise a total of $28,500 for Cliff and Danielle!!

Cliff and Dani are both so humbled and thankful for your generosity and encouragement. They are a couple whose words are few but whose hearts are HUGE  and they want to let you know that are incredibly grateful and thankful for the financial, spiritual and emotional support you have all offered over the last five months.

We also want to thank you...ALL of you...for making the day so successful and fantastic.

Every one of you played a part in helping to support Cliff and Danielle in their ongoing journey with Cordelia.

A huge thanks to our core team who were there from the beginning to help plan, coordinate, sell tickets, collect baskets. Thank you to Angela Bauerlein, Cindi Wing, George Rak, Jane Rak, Jonathan Ziders, Joyce Meyer, Mel Byrd, Katie Cloen, Mom and Dad Minter, Leah Bolender  (and her day of the event money counting partner Andrea!) Dawn Delprince and Andrea and Jim Keifer for coming to meetings, printing flyers, picking up supplies, and commiting so much time and energy to help all of the pieces fall into place.

And to Karen Vitale and Jim Smith, Danielle's Mother and stepfather.  Karen Sold Over 50 Tickets and Brought In Over 40 Baskets And Gift Certificates.  Jim helped load them all to be transported. A huge thank you to them as well!!!!

Thank you to the band, Wide Right, who came to us through George Rak (his father in law is one of the band members). You guys were incredibly fun, gracious and so awesome for just being willing to be there. And also to George's Lancaster track team members who showed up to offer their helping hands wherever we needed them!

Thank you to Frank Sansone, owner of J.R. Productions, who sent Miss Shell (the airbrush tattoo artist) to entertain our children. Thank you both for your generosity and time!

Thank you to all of the major players who helped out the day of the event-- there were so many people who showed up and filled in in so many different ways that if I tried to list everyone's names I'd likely miss someone. Please know how grateful we were to have your help.

Thank you to all of the individuals and businesses who donated baskets, supplies, food and funds. We had 260 baskets and 75 gift certificates to raffle off. And again, while there were far too many to be able to aptly list everyone's names/businesses, please know that your donations were very much appreciated!

And thank you to everyone who showed up at the event- for your patience and graciousness towards our family even when the space was small, seats were few and walking from one end of the room to the other proved to be a challenge (especially for those of you there with children!). So thank you all!


As for an update on Cliff and Dani...Life is busy for them. There are a lot of doctor's appointments and running around for medications and required items. The nurse comes by 1-2 times a week to do blood tests and check on Cordelia. While she is doing well considering the circumstances, Cliff and Dani have already been to the E.R. with her twice since she has been back. Once because her pic line (one of the lines that allowed for medications to be administered and blood to be taken without having to prick her with needles every time) moved significantly from where it was supposed to be-- they ended up just taking it out, which is o.k. except now there will be more needle pricks.

The second time was because the soft spot on her head was protruding...the hospital staff did a scan and said that everything was alright, but they are keeping an eye on it and hoping it goes down (not sure what could of caused it).

In addition to that her blood work came back with some off numbers this week-- too high potassium and an abnormal platelet count...they needed to do more blood work to verify and figure out what was going on.

So, while there are no major issues, the reality is that there are and will continue to be a lot of day to day challenges and idiosyncrasies involved in taking care of Cordelia.  Cliff goes back to work next Monday and Danielle will have her hands full with Cordelia's care taking.

Again, thank you all for the many, many ways you have already encouraged and supported Cliff and Dani. Their journey continues, so please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Pray for wisdom, for good and attentive health care, for protection over Cordelia during cold and flu season and for strength and help for Cliff and Dani.

Thank you!!!