We’ve been really busy working on this ENORMOUS benefit for my sweet 17 year old cousin, Abby Marsh, and my aunt and uncle.
And let me tell you……..Marsh Madness is going to ROCK!!
Wanna know how great it’s going to be?
Josh Hutcherson is even talking about it! 🙂
He donated a date with himself and 5 lucky auction winners and a friend!
I mean – seriously – how cool is that?!?!
(You know I love me some Peeta! )
(I’ll update with the links to the ebay auctions for the date with Josh when they start tomorrow night!)
I’ve mentioned it a little before. My cousin, Abby, was in a car accident on May 22. She sustained a broken neck (c4-c7). She’s been at Children’s hospital for 11 weeks now. She currently has no control of any part of her body from the chest down.
Abby’s mom is my mom’s little sister, so we are really close! Abby’s the sweetest kid you will ever meet. She has always had fantastic attitude and sense of humor that just draws people to her. She loves little kids (and mine LOVE her) and soccer and photography and Jesus!
Sweet little Abby has had many hurdles in the last 11 weeks.
To begin with she had a 12 hour surgery that included bone fusions of C4, C5 and C6, titanium rods and plates and cadaver bones!
She’s had a tracheostomy and is currently on a ventilator to help her breathe.
She had a life threatening lung infection.
This week she had another surgery to insert G-J tubes (feeding and drainage tubes) into her stomach, so the tubes from her nose can be taken out and will now lead out of her abdomen instead.
She also was diagnosed with Superior Meseteric Artery syndrome (SMA). SMA causes gastrointestinal obstruction and is often associated with sudden weight loss. (Christopher Reeve had it, too.) This has been a massive bump in the road. They have to drain liquid from Abby’s stomach around the clock from a tube in her nose or she gets severely nauseous.
(in the picture of Abby and her brother in the top right….he’s reading MockingJay to her where she left off before the accident. That seems extra cool now that Josh Hutcherson is involved!)
But, through all of this God has shown that he’s faithful. The kindness of strangers has been astounding. A tragic thing like this really shows what people are made of. Abby continues to have a great attitude. And we are all continuing to trust God during this very difficult time.
She got to meet and chat with Nick Lachey and the other member of 98 Degrees! (Nick and Drew Lachey are local boys from right here in Cincinnati! They are active in local charities and often come to Children’s hospital for visits with the kids! How nice it that?! Seriously!)
A sweet lady named Lisa from Etsy donated her time and made a fabulous new gown just for Abby! (The hospital gowns are just not cute enough to be wearing for 3 months!) Here’s a link to her shop, ModMum, if you are ever in need of a cute maternity gown!
There have been some great benefits around town this summer.
Putt-Putting, Moshing, Car Washing, Coney eating.
But, this Marsh Madness is going to be HUGE!
All you can Eat & Drink, Bands, Dancing, Prizes, Mystery Envelopes, Amazing Auction Items! What’s not to love?
A great night out for a great cause!
Please come out!
Or let me know if you have any goods or services you would like to donate for auction or Abby.
All proceeds will be donated to the Abby Marsh Trust Fund to help with medical costs and remodeling my Aunt and Uncles home to accommodate Abby’s new life.
You can purchase your Marsh Madness tickets online or at the door, but if you could, please buy your tickets early so we know how many people to plan for. That would be awesome!
You can use these links to buy your tickets today!
If you would like to help by donating items or services, please contact me.
If you would like to help by donating money you can use this link to donate via credit card / pay pal to the “Friends of Abby Marsh”. All donations will go towards Abby’s trust fund.
Check out the Marsh Madness Event Page on Facebook, for updates and info.
You can keep up with Abby and her progress and other benefits on the blog her brother writes.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
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