The Founders of The Hemispherectomy Foundation

http://www.prayforjessie.org/

Although there have been many people involved in the creation of The Hemispherectomy Foundation, I wanted to take a few minutes to introduce some of the people who were instrumental in creating this foundation that will help many children and their families through awareness, education, and aid surrounding the diseases that lead up to this radical surgery and the hemispherectomy surgery itself.


This is, of course, Jessie (pictured with her brain surgeon Dr. Benjamin Solomon Carson). Without Jessie's dynamic personality, her love for EVERYONE and her outgoing, spunky, brave, dynamic, persevering personality, The Hemispherectomy Foundation would have never happened. She inspires me, her father, and many other people to do BIG things and to have BIG ideas. I don't understand it, but I follow it. I believe with all my convictions that our Father in heaven has BIG plans for her and the other children and parents who have survived hemispherectomy surgery and for those who help them survive...their angels.
From left, First is Kristi (Jessie's mom), who started the whole idea with a scholarship; The Jessie Hall Hemispherectomy Scholarship (JHHS). This blossomed into something much bigger, and has now become The Hemispherectomy Foundation. Next is Caren Jennings, who has worked tirelessly to set up operations, fund raisers, Internet presence, and networking to make the foundation happen. I'm the one on the right, and I think that they let me in because they feel sorry for me. ;-0

Also, we have to give credit to our Creator for inspiring many people to rally around Jessie, and then The Hemispherectomy Foundation to plant the seeds in good ground so that they will grow into fruitful trees to feed the many children and their families who desperately need it.

This is Dr. Benjamin Solomon Carson. He is the remarkable neurosurgeon, and Christian man, who revised The Hemispherectomy surgery so that it was a viable solution to ending intractable seizures and giving children and their families a better quality of life.

There are also people out there like Mikel Shelton, of Shelton, Mead & Shelton, who has graciously agreed to do the Accounting work for The Hemispherectomy Foundation and file the mountain of paperwork to make the foundation a non-profit 501 (c) 3 foundation.

And Gary Jordon, an attorney from Weatherford, who volunteered his services to ensure that our legal needs were taken care of, especially in setting up our corporation, the basis or the foundations non-profit enterprise.

And Brian Melven, who set up the first web site for the foundation, and the precursor for The Hemispherectomy Foundation website. Our first fundraiser and educational site. Pray For Jessie - http://www.prayforjessie.org/

And John Jennings (Caren's Husband), who has been working tirelessly to put into place the Official Website for The Hemispherectomy Foundation, and for setting up the books for the non-profit corporation, and helping with mailings, logistics, and so many other things.

The countless other people who have helped in so many ways to make The Hemispherectomy Foundation possible. Our next phase will be Fund Raising, Awareness, and Education. I know that there are so many more of you that want to help, and I can't wait to work with each of your to make this a world-class organization and to feel the love that will surround these children and their families.

If you want to be a part of this organization and helping these kids and their families, please send a quick note to Caren (marypoppins@uwmail.com) and let her know that you are interested in helping and where you would enjoy helping the most. We will be in touch soon to put your ideas and strengths into action. I promise that the rewards will be more than you can imagine. Thank You!!!

Warm Blessings,

Cris Hall

VP and Treasurer, The Hemispherectomy Foundation
http://www.prayforjessie.org/