A Gold Star Son's Battle For Life

Friends and family, You all know what TAPS and these families mean to me, but I want to be specific about the Orta family. My very first TAPS event mentee was Alexis Orta, and she was the reason I came back to TAPS. She was my first love of the program, my first daughter. We became a family, mother Heather, and brothers Rhett and Cade. Family trips to Disney, skiing in the mountains of Colorado, hiking the Incline or just family fun at home. When I go to CO to visit, I get one day with each sibling where we get 1on1 bonding time, because being family doesn't just include your mentee, its everybody involved. Rhett is such a bright and talented young man. The last time I was in CO, he'd taught himself how to play guitar and piano and was writing songs. He told me he was going to leave home upon graduation and move to Missouri to go to a Christian bible college and he did just that. I got to spend more time with Rhett at our TAPS National Seminar, at the end of may, before he moved and he looked and felt great... Just two months ago, Rhett left for college in Missouri. Since his arrival, he has had so many illnesses attacking him. His mother, Heather, was able to have him discharged long enough to drive three days to Florida to have him closer to her and his little brother.  Rhett has now been rehospitalized for nearly two weeks. While we have a diagnosis, it is still unclear, along with further complications piling up. He is currently fighting an autoimmune disease found in his lungs, and it’s one that usually attacks people above the age of 40, Rhett is only 18. His immune system is very weak and he gets sick by anything in his environment. Now, we're being told he has a severe blood poisoning called MRSA. His health is causing great concern and stress to his family and finances are going to be a problem soon too. We are going to need help to support his stay, and we hope as friends and family you would help us in being able to provide him the care he needs. Whether you are able to help financially or not, we would really appreciate all your prayers and love.  Rhett and his family need whatever support they can get right now, if you have any words or love to share, please feel. PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE I will match EVERY donation following the below criteria. Match donations will be made Saturdays at 1300, rolling up the entire week in one lump sum. $99 and below= 50% $100 and above= 25%