Shane Hearts Boston

This page is set up to help my nephew, brother and sister-in-law.  Please read the following from Sharon Bogan who is the  Location Director - BrightStart Pediatrics in Sanford Florida where Shane attends during the week.

BrightStart Pediatrics is a PPEC center (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care) – a nursing and therapy center for medically fragile infants and children up to five years of age.

This is Shane!  I want to tell you about his family and their current struggles and I hope that you are as inspired as I.  I work at a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care center for medically fragile children. Shane is a 4-year old boy with Down Syndrome that attends our center.  Shane was born 1/16/2009 with Down Syndrome and a few holes in his heart.  He was also diagnosed shortly after his 1st birthday with Pulmonary Hypertension and has been on oxygen ever since. The doctors here in Orlando are not able to operate on his heart due to the Pulmonary Hypertension and the complexities that presents.  Thankfully, the family was able to find a doctor in Boston that specializes in cases like Shane’s and has agreed to see him and evaluate his case.  Shane’s care and accommodations will be paid for by insurance but his parents expenses are not.

Unfortunately, the day after receiving the wonderful news that Shane was accepted in Boston, the family received devastating news about his father Leon.  Leon had to go to the hospital due to dizziness and other symptoms.  The doctors found a tumor in his head and originally thought it was benign.  The biopsy results unfortunately revealed a devastating diagnosis; Leon has Anaplastic Astocytoma, BRAIN CANCER.  Leon will be starting a 2-year chemo therapy regiment along with radiation.  He is 28years old!

Due to his health issues, Leon has not been able to work in some time and Shane’s mother Candace has been working hard trying to take care of her two men. Candace works for a pool company and during the off season, has a hard time getting the hours she needs to make ends meet.  Despite all of this adversity, Candace remains strong and stead fast in caring for the loves of her life.This family doesn’t have much in the way of monetary things but what they do have is abundant love.  Leon and Candace have loved and cared for Shane from the moment he came into their lives. What they can’t provide in ‘things’, they more than make up for with LOVE.

During the midst of all of the excitement for Shane and devastation from Leon’s diagnosis, Candace also found out she is pregnant!  They are very excited about the new addition to the family.  Their excitement about the new baby and Shane’s surgery are unfortunately dampened by the daunting years ahead for Leon and his treatment.  Candace is the type of person that doesn't like to ask for help but this family is in dire need of help and prayers right now. "