As I sit and look through pictures of Pierce, this one makes me remember what we went through and what our other heart children have gone through or will. It is that time of year again. The Pierce Allan Helms memorial 2012. The dinner this year will be at Brandon High School. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the blood drive will start at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 at the door. We will be having dinner, music, speakers from Batson Cardiac unit and our silent auction. All proceeds got to Batson Hospital Cardiac Unit.
Two years ago, Batson did not have the medical resources that we needed in Mississippi to take care of Pierce. We flew from Mississippi to Washington D.C. then to Little Rock. It was so hard to leave my other three children at home for three months, and be away from chruch, family and friends that I truley needed during that journey. I am proud to say that Since then, Batson Hospital now has 2 cardiac surgeons and Huge medical team, ECMO teams and now have completed the heart transplant unit. Its amazing to see the changes since Pierce was born. Honestly, it brings tears to my eyes, wondering why this all could not have been here for Pierce? I do know that Pierce's journey helped make these changes in our childrens hospital. The work that we continue to do and efforts to raise money for our childrens hospital will only help it to grow and become even better.
I often remind my friends that Batson Hospital is our ONLY childrens hospital in Mississippi. That as I am out selling tickets to the dinner and collecting silent auction items, all the proceeds go to our ONLY childrens hospital. Last year we raised over $5000.00. We had 82 teams from all over Mississippi come to play in the soccer tournament. The title of the tournament was "Saving Hearts one Kick At A Time." and that is exactly what we did. We had over 200 people attend the dinner last year. 26 people donated blood and 9 became organ donors. I am hoping this year we will see those numbers grow.
I am looking forward to the tournament and dinner this year. seeing new faces and meeting new people. Spreading CHD awarness and letting people know what the journeys are like for our heart children and most of all helping Batson Hospital continue to grow and become bigger and better, in order to help our children.
