2022 BENEFICIARIES
Meet Harley! Wendy Peffercorn doesn’t have anything on this sweet little 4 year old. At just one month old, Harley’s mom and dad knew right away their baby girl wasn’t growing as she should. After a multitude of doctor visits and tests, and 14 grueling months, Harley was finally diagnosed with Autoimmune Enteropathy. A very rare disease, so rare in fact, that Harley has left doctors speechless and riddled with confusion over her varying symptoms. Autoimmune enteropathy affects a child’s ability to absorb nutrients, and often children with AIE need intravenous nutrition to give their bodies the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Because of Harleys condition, her body fights against her own immune system, and often leaves Harley weak and needing infusions. But like Wendy Peffercorn, Harley is one of a kind. As rare as AIE is, Harley’s symptoms have stumped local GI physicians and her case is currently being reviewed by the National Institute of Health through a research program called the Undiagnosed Disease Network. If accepted, Harley will be flown to St. Louis for extensive research and recommendations. 30% of patients seen by the physicians at the National Institute of Health leave with a diagnosis, 5% being the first ever to receive a diagnosis for their disease. While we’re sure Harley isn’t spending her summers “lotioning then oiling, oiling then lotioning” like lifeguard Wendy, she sure does find time to smile, especially when she’s playing Barbies and hanging out with big sister Haddy. And with a smile like that, “she knows exactly what she’s doing!” And just like Squints was desperate to get Wendy’s attention, we’re desperate to help Harley in her fight against AIE. Your contributions will help with the expenses Harley’s family incurs throughout her medical journey, and (hopefully) her future stay at the NIH in St. Louis. You can follow Harley’s journey by visiting her Facebook page: Harley Tough!
Meet Kennedy! “There’s heroes and there’s legends.” And then there’s Kennedy. Just a few days shy of her 3rd birthday in August, Kennedy was diagnosed with B- Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The most common type of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, B Cell is an aggressive type of blood cancer in which too many B-cell lymphoblasts are found in the bone marrow and blood. Immediately after her diagnosis, Kennedy was admitted and began aggressive treatments; a port was placed in her chest, connected to a vein that directly leads to her heart, to administer transfusions and blood draws. Just 1 month after her diagnosis, Kennedy’s bone marrow labs came back indicating no presence of leukemic cells (to a certain degree) and she’s currently in remission. She began her second phase of treatment last week and will soon be starting physical therapy to help with her muscle tone and strength. When she’s not “busting the guts” out of whatever ball cancer throws her way, Kennedy enjoys just being a kid: watching cartoons, helping mom cook in the kitchen, playing with her little sister Rosie, and in just a few short months, she’ll be a big sister again— this time to a little baby brother. So while “heroes get remembered and legends never die,” kids like Kennedy are the Babe Ruth of the Sandlot: “lesser than a god, more than a man.” And there’s no doubt this special little Bambino isn’t backing down to any “Beast” that comes her way. By supporting Stevie’s World of Wiffleball, your contributions will help Kennedy and her family offset expenses incurred throughout her medical journey. Her family is in desperate need of a new vehicle to accommodate their growing family and the many trips to Dayton Children’s Hospital for her treatments, checkups, and care. You can immediately help Kennedy by donating to her Go Fund Me page: https://gofund.me/91b09316
Meet PJ— our very own “Sultan of Swat!” When we say this kid is the real deal— we mean it. Diagnosed with Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease, 10 year old PJ, is putting up a hard knock fight against his debilitating diagnosis. ARPKD is a chronic, genetic disease that causes uncontrolled growth of fluid- filled cysts in the kidney: if a child with ARPKD survives the newborn period, they most always need a transplant before age 10. PJ’s condition also affects his spleen, liver and gallbladder by ways of a congenital hepatic fibrosis, which means PJ sees more hospital floors than Sandlot fields most years. Earlier this year, PJ underwent a liver transplant surgery, and a possible kidney transplant may be in his near future too. And if you’re like us, you’re wondering when PJ just gets to be a kid— he still finds some time for that too. He loves collecting Pokémon cards, playing on his Nintendo switch, and raising goats for his 4H projects with his little brother Remmy! But when we tell you this kid is nothing short of a local Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez— it’s true. Whatever “Beast” is lurking behind that fence, PJ is coming face to face with it and ready to outrun it. And it’s always with that big ol, lady killer smile lighting up his face. With your support, we can help PJ in his fight against ARPKD. Your donations will help offset the medical costs PJ’s family has incurred throughout his medical journey. You can follow PJ’s journey by visiting his Facebook page: Prayers for PJ. And PJ loves getting mail! You can write to him: PJ Grandinette PO Box 91 Enon, OH 45323
Meet Everett! When it comes to hitting the Sandlot field, this kid ain’t no “L7 Weenie!” And with that infectious smile and beautiful blue eyes, all we have to say is “You’re killing me, Smalls!” Rhett was diagnosed with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele, hydrocephalus, and Chiari II Malformation at his 20 week ultrasound. Spina Bifida is the most frequently occurring, permanent disability, in babies. Rhett’s condition is the most severe form of spina bifida, where the spinal cord and surrounding membranes are open to the skin surface. Just a few days after birth, Rhett had his back closure surgery and a shunt placed to relocate the extra fluid in his brain to his abdomen where the body can safely and effectively absorb it. Since then, Rhett has been determined to prove that Spina Bifida isn’t going to slow him down. Even through multiple surgeries, and long hospital stays, Rhett continues to thrive and prove his independence. Just recently, he’s mastered independently sitting! This past spring, Rhett and his own Sandlot buddies took to the field and played under the Shining Stars Tball league. A local league for children like Rhett, who face various medical challenges, but have a love for the game and friendship just like the boys of “The Sandlot.” Last year, because of your support, Stevie’s World of Wiffleball was able to provide 8 canopy tents for Shining Stars to provide shade for the dugouts. By supporting Stevie’s World of Wiffleball, your contributions will help Rhett and his family offset expenses incurred throughout his medical journey: “Remember, kid; there’s heroes and there’s legends. Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Follow your heart, kid, and you’ll never go wrong.” You can follow Rhett’s journey by visiting his Facebook page: Rhett’s Journey!