Some people don't.
And some people don't have ANY insurance.
I have gone to dinner with the same group of friends for about 12 years now. This group (shown in the picture) told me at our dinner in December, that they would like to do a tree this year for Gracie at 
the Festival of Trees in Sandy, Utah. I was so touched that they would think of Gracie so far in advance. They wanted to start putting money towards the tree every month at our dinner group. I told them at the time that I would love to help them out and that I would put something on my blog.
So here it is.
The Festival of Trees will be from Dec. 3-6 2009 at the South Towne Expo Center. 90,000 people attended last year. EVERY PENNY (100 %) raised at the Festival goes to provide medical care for needy children at Primary Children's Medical Center. All the trees are donated and then sold at a silent auction on Opening Night (Dec. 2), which is an invitation only event. Any tree not sold on opening night is available for purchase during festival week.
Some of the trees can be quite elaborate, others small, but each one is special. We would like Gracie's Tree to stand out above the rest!! You can even pay the $4.00 admission and come and see her tree there! I have set up a 'donation' button on my sidebar (Thanks to my sister in law Tiffany!) ALL of the money we collect will go to decorating Gracie's tree, any extra will go directly to Primary Children's Medical Center.So basically we purchase supplies for the tree, decorate it, someone bids (hopefully a LOT of money for it) and it ALL goes to PCMC to help the kids.
I don't know what I would do if I had to worry about money problems while going through all of this. I hope our collective efforts will come to benefit many, many other sweet children just like our Gracie Girl.I hope I'm able to take her to see her tree. That would be the best Christmas present of all.
Thanks.
33 comments:
How special! I can't wait to see (at least a photo of) Gracie's tree! I am sure it will honor her well! You sure do have a special group of friends!
I just read the update about the Berlin Heart, too. Michele, I have seen two babies on this device. (Well, actually only seen one on it and the other had already received his transplant and was running around a year later!) I was delivering Annabelle Baskets to the PCICU at MUSC in August when I was adoring a little boy in a stroller hanging out at the nurses' station...yep, he was on the Berlin Heart! It was amazing! I will be praying that Gracie's pulls through yet another surgery beautifully and that this option gives her time to grow stronger and receive her new heart!
You are in our prayers and Gracie is being held so close to our hearts!
I have to share something else that touched my heart...the other day we were checking in on Gracie Girl and Wyatt walked by the computer and saw the ECMO picture...I explained it to him and he just looked at me and said "Mommy, do you want to pray for baby Gracie right now?" So, we did...she is impacting so many, Michele! Your girl is so, so loved!
Love you, friend~ Rebecca
I think the Festival of Trees is such a cool organization. I'm sure Gracie would be so happy to have her name on something so cool. I can't even imagine how stressful it must be for some families that aren't able to pay. I wish I could pay lots of money to buy her tree, but for now I will donate. Thanks for doing this!!!!
What a wonderful tribute to Gracie, and for all those who love her to be able to share in that. I think it is great! We will definitely go to see Gracie's tree. And, of course, we will be praying that she will be able to see it as well.
You are awesome! Even with everything you are going through you are still able to find it in your heart to give something back. I am inspired and amazed by your faith and courage. I truly hope that you do get to take Gracie to see her tree. Sending many prayers from Idaho!
There was a PCMC radioathon yesterday and I almost donated but was hoping there would be a more direct route to helping you and your family. This is wonderful. Thanks for sharing your story. My kids ask every day how Gracie is doing. We are all praying for a miracle.
This is such a wonderful opportunity for us. Thank you for letting us be a part of this and I sure hope we can all see a picture of her beautiful tree when it is done. I am sure it will stand above the rest, it will be amazing. I hope and pray today is a good day for you.
What a great idea! It will be extra special this year to go and see a tree that is made in honor of someone so special! We also will pray that she will be here to see her tree! (Tony's brother Thomas turned on the lights at opening ceremony when he was 2(?), his family still talks about that experience-Tony's family is all following little Gracies story-she is so special!)
Hi I can not wait to see a tree for Gracie at Festival. I have gone to fesival for 20 years now my mom works on the commitee wih our friends who runs Kids corner. As soon as i was old enough I had to be on the commitee too. Even living out of state I have never missed because of what Festival means to me and how important it is for people. I would love to donate and do anything to see such a sweet girl on a tree at Festival. I too hope to see you there with her. I am so glad you are always updating your blog, because I am sure like others we are constantly wanting to know how Gracie is doing. We are still Praying for you and your family. Keep Strong and Gracies Hope will continue to see miracles lots of love and prayers sent your way. love Pena Family
What a great idea!! I have never been so this would give an excellent reason to go! Any idea how much you would like to raise to do the tree?
My internet was down yesterday so I just read the post on the Berlin Heart. We will have to "update" our prayers for this procedure. At this point, would it be best if she received another heart this weekend or early next week? That is kind of what I got from the post. Maybe we should start praying extra hard for a new heart and then if that doesn't happen pray for the procedure to go very well!!
I love this idea! The festival of trees is one of our family's most favorite Christmas traditions and this year it will be all the more special! We would love to contribute to this project financially and in any other way we can help! What a great way to get families involved and to be a part of something so life-changing!
I am so amazed by how much strength and courage you are showing through all of this. I can see where Gracie gets it! The fact that you are thinking of others while you are facing such a trial shows what a tremendous person you are. We will continue to pray for your family and sweet Gracie.
Your blog friends.
I would love to donate. Can we get a physical address where we can send some money. We read your blog every day and weep for you. Believe me I feel this with you over and over. Love to you. The Lord is in charge.
From, Paul's mom
Continuing to pray for Gracie.
Blessings to you all.
I am picturing it now...our whole family walking in to see the trees, pushing Gracie in her stroller, taking pictures. I can't wait! I think if we want something bad enough, we can find a way to make it happen (with the help of some amazing doctors!)
Josh said a cute family prayer last night for Gracie. I hope he is of some help to Max. Let us know what else we can do.
Loves to Miss Gracie today.
You don't know me but my cousin is Paul Cardall. Just wanted you to know that my family is praying for yours too. We hope your sweetheart pulls through a miracle.
Jenny Taylor
Hamden, CT
We are originally from Oregon... it's 'home'... I miss it. They did the Christmas trees event there too for our local hospitals and it was amazing and wonderful.
I hope you'll post pictures of Gracie's tree when the time comes... I would certainly be eager to see what it looks like once it's decorated. =)
Who decorates it? Would it be your friends and family? I certainly hope so... what a special memory.
*waves to Gracie* Hope you're doing ok today baby girl... thinking and praying for your family as always... Livy
What a fantastic idea! I wish I could have donated more than I did! Please know that the prayers of my family are with you always!
I am sure that many of us will want to donate to the festival of trees.... but I am concerned about your hospital bills. I know that you insurance does'nt cover everything.... didn't you say a few posts back that just for the transplant surgery your part of the bill would be $300,000? I can't even imagine what a Berlin heart will cost you. I would like to help out a little with Gracie's bills.
We are retired and I can't give much but I bet there are many of us Internet friends who love you and Gracie and would like to help. If a lot of us give a little it would add up.
How can I contribute directly to help Gracie? I would like to do so... and I think many others would to. Let us know
Love, Grammy Lura
I just wanted you to know that your precious Gracie is in our thoughts and prayers, as well as your whole family. I am a heart mom and Gracie's story really strikes a cord. She sounds like such a fighter and it seems that you have a very strong support system and a beautiful family. I've heard very good things about the Berlin heart, although it can be a bit of an effort to get it here from Germany along with some red tape and paperwork, but I hope and pray it's an option as a bridge for Gracie (or another heart becomes available very soon). Hang in there and keep the faith; there are people praying for you all over.
Dear Gracie Supporters,
The outpouring of love and concern for Gracie has been very kind and comforting. To clarify, Michele and Tom's insurance has agreed to cover "any care" she needs.
Any money not used for the tree will be donated to Primary Childrens Hospital in Gracie's name.
This is a simple request to help Michele's friends create a beautiful tree for Gracie. You all need not worry about Gracie's medical bills.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.
Gracie's Aunt
It will be exciting to see a tree with a story close to our hearts! Every year I think of taking my girls but never do. It will be fun for them to see "Gracie's tree" this year. We are praying that Gracie is able to see her tree next Christmas!!
What a great group of friends to do this in Gracie's name! I sure hope she can go see her tree this year!
I think we are all excited to have a way to donate to Miss Gracie. What a blessing she is in our lives, and we can't pay that back fully, but it would be nice to help your family in any way.
What a fabulous idea. I am so glad.
::blowing sterile kisses to Gracie::
love you, doll!!!
I love the Festival of Trees. It's the perfect thing to do for Gracie because of the connection to Primary Children's Hospital. As heartbreaking as it is to see the sick kids at PCH, I feel a lot of gratitude for the many people who work there and who work hard to heal those children. Something I could never do (after almost passing out after being there for 5minutes). Good luck with everything going on this next week. We'll be watching the blog for any news!
Nat
thres lots of people careing for your gracie!!!!! and im one of them . I hope you get enough $money$ for the inserince!!! soI will donate as soon as possible !!!
and im praying for her. Actueluy the whole family is!!!!!! im so happy we are praying for her !!!
Im so glad shes going good and she will survive through the VAD hart. and she will have time to be with you family. just know evry body loves here. and she will be able to have friends and grow up and have a good life with your family your friends family like in the picture you posted.and evry body loves her .so im so glad shes going good!!!!!one thing (how could the doctors do this).it so wonderful that you great doctors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Festival of Trees sounds great! Actually I have a tree I was interested in donating to the festival. If your friends would like to use mine I would be honored. It is a beautiful 7 foot tree. If anyone is interested contact me, via email or through Connie, she is my friend.
Anyway, thanks for the constant updates. Our prayers are with not only Gracie, but your family as well.
We keep track of Gracie through Kaidences blog. Reading your notes reminds me of the past year and a half with our heart baby. I look at the progress that she has made and pray for you and Gracie that she will pull through. These little spirits are very strong. And they definitely have a purpose. May you be filled with renewed strength to carry you through. Debbie Mitchell
Hey Michelle...This is Heidi from Arizona. I'm in town and would love to stop by the hospital, if you're okay with that? Call or text me and let me know if that's okay because I'll need your room number. My cell is 480-516-8608. Thanks, I hope to see you soon.
Hello! This is my first time looking at your blog, but you have been in our prayers! My daughter Emerson is 18 months and has HLHS. WE do everything at MUSC. Please feel free to take a look at her carepage. Her page is EmersonBanksMay.
We will continue to lift you all in our prayers! May God give you peace and rest!
God Bless!
Erica May
I've been out of the loop for the past few days but I've been praying for Gracie. Praying for all of you and for Gracie's miraculous recovery! Such a beautiful little girl she is..it just breaks my heart to know what she's going through. My prayers are with you!!!!
What a great idea!! We would LOVE to donate for Gracie's tree. We are still praying for a miracle!!
I hope Tom forwarded my eamil to you Michele. We'll be fasting and praying for this Sun. What neat friends you have. The tree is such a good idea. We've been praying that the right thing for Gracie will become very clear to you and the Drs. as soon as possible so you (and she) can be done with this painful "limbo" state. We'll keep praying that you'll be filled with comfort, peace and confirmation as this all comes together. Just wanted to send our love, Alan and Tiffany Pollard (and kids)
I am sorry to read this. I have been following your little ones story through a neighbor of mine. Our prayers are with you and your children.
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