13 Year Old Zion Needs Your Help

13 year old Zion Campbell, son of my dear friend Francine Campbell, has been living with Sickle Cell Anemia his entire life. This disease has caused him to suffer multiple seizures and four strokes to date. Living with this condition has not always been easy but with strong support from family and friends, Zion has grown up as a happy, joy filled child. Having the pleasure of meeting Zion myself and spending time with him, I can say he is like any other young boy; rambunctious and full of energy at times and always had a smile on his face. If you didn't know he had Sickle Cell, you certainly wouldn't know by being around him. Unfortunately, early in the summer of 2013, Zion was hospitalized after suffering a major stroke which caused tremendous damage to both sides of his brain. The stroke was so severe it caused major damage to the blood vessels in his brain, leaving many vessels blocked. This is diagnosed as Moyamoya Disease which without treatment, can be fatal. Moyamoya disease is a rare, progressive cerebrovascular disorder caused by blocked arteries at the base of the brain in an area called the basal ganglia. After approximately two months of counseling from his pediatrician and hematologist at his hometown hospital, Zion was shuttled to St Mary's Hospital in July where he underwent extensive therapy. Most recently, he has been transferred to an out of state medical facility in Baltimore Maryland, where he has been receiving outpatient care for physical and physiological rehabilitation as well as speech pathology. Zion and his mother are residing at The Ronald McDonald House while he awaits his scheduled brain surgery in December 2013. We all have faith that this surgery will assist in allowing the formulation of more blood vessels to the brain.

As you can imagine, these past few months have been very trying both emotionally and physically for the Campbell family, as well as financially. Bills and expenses continue to pile up and Francine has exhausted all of her accumulated time off at her place of employment. She has been placed on leave without pay for some time now and is in dire need of assistance to support herself and provide for her family.

So I ask you now to please help Francine and her family now in their time of need. For those of you that know Francine personally, you know she is the person who has always been there for everyone in their time of need and now she needs our help.

All donations are truly appreciated and no amount is too small!

My sincerest thanks!

R.S.