One of Our Own Making a Difference
May 14, 2007 | Leave a Comment
A few months ago, we at Mother’s Fighting For Others were told about an amazing little boy named Trevor Kott. We were all moved to action. We did our very best to get the word out and get others to get registered with the Bone Marrow Registry. He fought AML, a rare form of leukemia, for over six months. Trevor passed away this past April. We were all so saddened by this news.
The day off his passing, his mother Angela wrote the following,
“I thought my heart would be broken, but instead I realize how much fuller it is for having the privilege to have been Trevor’s mom. We have all been praying for a miracle together, but as Pat reminded me, the miracle happened the day Trevor was born. He has given so much in his short life, I know he was sent here so we all could witness life in its purest form. I don’t have a lot of energy left to write much more, but I felt it was important for Trevor for everyone to look up on this bright sunny day and watch Trevor soar. My precious baby peacefully started his journey to heaven at around 8 o’clock this morning.”
We read Angela’s words and knew what we needed to do. Our work wasn’t over. So we moved forward with our own drives. This past weekend, our own Julie Ferenzi held her own drive in honor of Trevor. You can read about her drive in the Herald News.
I know Julie worked really hard to get this drive moving. I knew nothing was going to stop her. A fellow friend and Cafemom, Tracy, drove an hour to help Julie with her drive on Saturday. The two worked tirelessly and were able to get 50 new donors on the registry list. Julie knew that, “Even though the drive I intended to hold in his honor will no longer benefit him, it will probably save someone else’s life.”
She might save 50.
Great job, Julie. I am so proud to know you and call you my friend.
Two Mothers on a Mission: A Child’s Right
May 11, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Rocky and I met a few months ago on CafeMom. I like to call it, “MySpace for Moms.” Between the two of us, we are “mom” to 10 children.
Rocky (Head Mutha) and her husband, Jeff, are the proud parents to 6 beautiful children. My husband Tony and I are the equally proud parents to 4 adorable and energetic bundles of joy.
The first time I called Rocky on the phone, like a big nerd, I started crying. That, by the way, is just so typically me! I choked up as I confessed how much her posts on CafeMom had inspired me to “do more”. The truth is, I didn’t have the faintest idea of where I could even begin to make a difference in the world.
Little did I know, that the day I picked up the phone to call a stranger, was the day that would change my world!
I should point out that both Rocky and I are huge Oprah fans. Talk about being inspired! Besides, I’m from the Chicago area, and Oprah is one of our hometown heroes!
Rocky and I were both moved by Oprah’s Christmas Kindness Show that aired in 2005. It was about the children of South Africa and how Oprah brought them Christmas. I remembered the story well, mostly because I was challenged that same Christmas Day in 2005 by my mother in law. She questioned my desire to travel to South Africa to help the children of that region. I know her concern came mostly from the dangers of leaving the safety of American soil, but sadly, that is exactly the reason why so many people are afraid to stand up for the global community and become part of the solution.
So Our Search Began
Over the next several weeks we spent countless hours researching charities and not-for profit organizations that stand for what we both believe in.
One that stood out above the rest was A Child’s Right.
Every year millions of children die as a result of water related illnesses. Children die, because the water that they drink is contaminated with pathogens and bacteria. Water-related bacterial infections are the number one killer of children every year, globally. The sad truth is - they are all completely preventable!
Rocky and I have decided to team up with A Child’s Right to bring 10 UV water filtration systems to the children of Guatemala’s most needy. Our goal is to have them funded by the Spring of 2008. We chose Guatemala because it is the birthplace of Rocky’s two youngest children, and a region who’s children are in desperate need of the basic necessities of life.
We’re Almost Ready To Roll
Rocky and I have been busy organizing bone marrow drives in each of our areas, in memory of Trevor Kott, a six month old from Sacramento California. We have both been privileged and honored to help carry on the work of this amazing little boy.
As we finalize the details of our bone marrow registry drives, through the National Bone Marrow Registry in Trevor’s memory; we realize the importance of turning our focus once again to the work we’ve been inspired to do for A Child’s Right.
Plan on hearing more from both of us in the coming weeks and months, as we focus on obtaining the funds to supply water filtration systems to the children of Guatemala!
Mother Fighting for Others
Trevor Kott ~ Born October 14th, 2006 ~ At Rest on April 25th, 2007
April 25, 2007 | 1 Comment
For those of you who have been visiting this page; quite a few weeks ago a little boy named Trevor Kott found his way into my heart.
Trevor was born on October 14th, 2006,with a very rare type of cancer called AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). He endured 5 rounds of chemotherapy in hopes of keeping the cancer at bay until a compatible bone marrow donor could be found. As time went on and no donor could be located, and Trevor grew more ill.
In his short, but meaningful life, Trevor summoned up the good in people. He challenged strangers to answer a call to be good to each other; to take care of one another.
He made us take notice that, yes… one person can make a difference.
It was with great sadness and a heavy heart that I tell you, God called Trevor home this morning.
Some people search their entire lives in the pursuit of happiness, scurrying to fulfill a purpose, and struggling to understand the meaning of their lives. Trevor did all of that with what little time he had with all of us here on earth.
Trevor is a messenger. Countless lives will no doubt be saved because of the spirit of giving that Trevor invoked at the drives held in his honor.
Please remember the Kott family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their sweet baby. May Heaven hold him tight tonight.
Trevor Kott In The News
April 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment
6 month old Trevor Kott’s story aired tonight on CBS5 in San Francisco.
Clicking on the photo of Trevor and his mom Angela Kott, will take to you to the video broadcast of the segment that aired on the CBS5 news tonight.
Trevor’s doctor, Dr. Kent Jolly, said tonight he about a 5% chance for survival without a compatible bone marrow donor, and that most likely he only has 8 weeks to live without one.
Becoming a donor of the National Bone Marrow Registry is so simple… 4 swabs from the inside of your cheek. There are absolutely no needles involved.
Tissue typing of the samples usually takes 6-8 weeks, which is something that Trevor simply cannot spare. Expedited testing is being done for drives held in Trevor’s honor, but sadly even those take 4 weeks to analyze.
Trevor Kott is running out of time, and I need your help.
Go to the National Bone Marrow Registry site and search for a bone marrow drive in your area. If there isn’t a convenient location available you can request a test kit to be sent directly to your home by mail.
By becoming a donor you become part of the national registry. Even if you aren’t a match for Trevor, you could someday be a match for someone else. You could literally save someone’s life by making the decision to REACT to Trevor’s story.
The Kott family needs a miracle. Please seek out a way to become a donor this weekend.
Make up your mind right now to become a donor. Trevor doesn’t have time to wait…
Urgent: Trevor Kott Needs Bone Marrow Donor Match
March 31, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Trevor Kott must have a bone marrow transplant- SOON, but no one has yet been identified as a match. Trevor needs you!
Trevor is a 5 month old little boy who was born with AML (acute myeloid leukemia). Their family is from Sacramento California and he is desperate need of a bone marrow transplant within the next 6-8 weeks. He is very sick and without this transplant his outlook is grim.
No needles are involved in determining whether or not you are a match for Trevor, and the Kott family has established a fund at The Marrow Foundation to help defer the cost of tissue-typing.
I first heard about Trevor on a post on Cafe Mom, from a mom whose own son was born at the same hospital only 2 days before her own son in October. I can’t imagine how helpless this family must feel.
Very close friends of ours lost their 11 month old daughter Alexis Doukas, to acute onset leukemia just weeks before her first birthday. Hearing this story reminded me of how sad and tragic her death was for her family and everyone that knew her. Six years later, the loss that her family endures is heart wrenching.
If there is any chance you’d be willing to submit to tissue-typing in hopes of being a match for little Trevor, please click on this link to find a center in your area at AABB.
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