Prayers & Support for PopPop Kunes
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On May 29, John suffered a major stroke which resulted in loss of speech and use of his right arm and right leg. Emergency surgery removed a blood clot in his brain. On the progressive mend, he exceeded healing expectations and was quickly transitioned to Good Shepherd, an excellent rehab facility. After 2 days into rehab, he encountered a setback, with new blood clots in his lungs. He was returned to the ER as his life remained in a balance for survival. Under careful watch, he was moved to ICU. He again fought his way out of ICU.
He has bravely become optimistic, with total understanding of the journey he will need to take, with total cognition and is working hard to regain his speech. He tries to speak, and laughs at himself with the sounds he makes, knowing that we are not understanding him, no matter how hard we try to communicate. He is always ready to give us a smile, which is now a full smile, indicating the return of his facial muscles. His desire to communicate is to make sure his family is ok.
John has passionately and tirelessly dedicated his entire life to providing a better life for others. For years he taught Sunday School, and coordinating volunteers to build playgrounds and coordinating fundraisers like the Quakertown Crop Walk and the Peach Festival.
He transitioned his IT career path to become a staff volunteer coordinator for Trinity Lutheran, Lansdale, organizing Feast Night for those in need of sustenance. We listened to him as he conceived a mission to send volunteers and supplies to rebuild Katrina victims lives in the New Orleans area, a bi-annual mecca of dedicated volunteers who could now channel their efforts for humanitarian rehabilitation.
From Trinity, he embraced the challenge of rebuilding the Milford Homeless Shelter, as a staff Volunteer and Donor Coordinator. His tenure there produced building and landscaping improvements, expanding the offerings and hours of the Food Pantry, all the while reaching out to corporations to provide contributions and grants to expand the outreach of this and other neighboring shelters, under the Bucks County oversight.
When the shelters were defunded, his natural progression became focused on Lily’s Hope Foundation, which was founded by his daughter and son-in-law, Jen and Justin Driscoll. Lily’s Hope supports families with premature babies, a grassroots non-profit started after his grandchildren Lily and Aidan were born prematurely. John donates his time and efforts to passionately expand their multi-state outreach, referring to Lily’s Hope Foundation as his “legacy.” His days were spent organizing fundraisers, applying for grants, community networking and coordinating volunteers to assist in these efforts. (Ironically, St. Luke’s Health System is a major beneficiary of LHF). This dynamic triumvirate constantly envisioned new avenues for growth, and John executed.
An epic milestone for LHF and John, is the opening of their office on Saturday, June 16 at 1148 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown PA. Sadly for all, he will not be able to attend or speak to express his gratitude of so many who have become committed to success, at this event, and will only be able to view the video of this day, which is a true realization of his goal, (only a short term in his mind!).
Given John’s unbridled passion and drive, he will become whole again, after a yearlong physical rehabilitation, to once again pursue his long-term goals for LHF.
John continues to amaze the Doctors treating him, and we look forward to the time when his speech returns and he continues to engage a following from his hospital bed.
The immense concern and support from all of those who have come into contact with John will surely fuel his fire in his new journey. For this outpouring, we are all grateful.
In addition to this emotional support, we would like to take away his monetary medical concerns, in order for him to focus on his physical journey.
John has paid it forward for many of his lifetimes, and we ask you to consider a tribute to him for his selfless efforts. Please help us to help him to become our warrior again.
John's passions in life are his two grandchildren, Lilian Hope & Aidan Patrick, as well as Lily's Hope Foundation. We ask you to continue to keep John and his family in your prayers as they navigate this challenging and unexpected time.
He has bravely become optimistic, with total understanding of the journey he will need to take, with total cognition and is working hard to regain his speech. He tries to speak, and laughs at himself with the sounds he makes, knowing that we are not understanding him, no matter how hard we try to communicate. He is always ready to give us a smile, which is now a full smile, indicating the return of his facial muscles. His desire to communicate is to make sure his family is ok.
John has passionately and tirelessly dedicated his entire life to providing a better life for others. For years he taught Sunday School, and coordinating volunteers to build playgrounds and coordinating fundraisers like the Quakertown Crop Walk and the Peach Festival.
He transitioned his IT career path to become a staff volunteer coordinator for Trinity Lutheran, Lansdale, organizing Feast Night for those in need of sustenance. We listened to him as he conceived a mission to send volunteers and supplies to rebuild Katrina victims lives in the New Orleans area, a bi-annual mecca of dedicated volunteers who could now channel their efforts for humanitarian rehabilitation.
From Trinity, he embraced the challenge of rebuilding the Milford Homeless Shelter, as a staff Volunteer and Donor Coordinator. His tenure there produced building and landscaping improvements, expanding the offerings and hours of the Food Pantry, all the while reaching out to corporations to provide contributions and grants to expand the outreach of this and other neighboring shelters, under the Bucks County oversight.
When the shelters were defunded, his natural progression became focused on Lily’s Hope Foundation, which was founded by his daughter and son-in-law, Jen and Justin Driscoll. Lily’s Hope supports families with premature babies, a grassroots non-profit started after his grandchildren Lily and Aidan were born prematurely. John donates his time and efforts to passionately expand their multi-state outreach, referring to Lily’s Hope Foundation as his “legacy.” His days were spent organizing fundraisers, applying for grants, community networking and coordinating volunteers to assist in these efforts. (Ironically, St. Luke’s Health System is a major beneficiary of LHF). This dynamic triumvirate constantly envisioned new avenues for growth, and John executed.
An epic milestone for LHF and John, is the opening of their office on Saturday, June 16 at 1148 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown PA. Sadly for all, he will not be able to attend or speak to express his gratitude of so many who have become committed to success, at this event, and will only be able to view the video of this day, which is a true realization of his goal, (only a short term in his mind!).
Given John’s unbridled passion and drive, he will become whole again, after a yearlong physical rehabilitation, to once again pursue his long-term goals for LHF.
John continues to amaze the Doctors treating him, and we look forward to the time when his speech returns and he continues to engage a following from his hospital bed.
The immense concern and support from all of those who have come into contact with John will surely fuel his fire in his new journey. For this outpouring, we are all grateful.
In addition to this emotional support, we would like to take away his monetary medical concerns, in order for him to focus on his physical journey.
John has paid it forward for many of his lifetimes, and we ask you to consider a tribute to him for his selfless efforts. Please help us to help him to become our warrior again.
John's passions in life are his two grandchildren, Lilian Hope & Aidan Patrick, as well as Lily's Hope Foundation. We ask you to continue to keep John and his family in your prayers as they navigate this challenging and unexpected time.
Organizer
Jennifer Kunes Driscoll
Organizer
Coopersburg, PA
