Jack Laton: Spokes-Baby

September 21, 2010

When I found out that my unborn baby had a heart defect, I admit, I had a few pity parties, and the theme was always, "Why Me, God?"  That theme eventually matured into "Why Jack, God?", and finally, "What are you trying to teach me here, God?"  I still can't understand why Jack had to have such a rough start, but I am beginning to see why he and I were put together.  He's a strong baby, and a heart defect was no match for this little fighter!  And I'm finding that he is teaching me to be a very strong Mommy, and if there's a condition affecting children, and I can help eliminate it, there's no match for us.

Jack and I will be participating in a very special fundraiser next month, and we need your help!  The Tae Kwon Do school (dojang) where I have been a student for over four years, holds a "Health Kick" every year to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network.  This year, they are going to direct all the money raised to the Sibley Heart Center at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Egleston campus!  Jack spent his most delicate days in the NICU at CHOA, and of course, the cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and pediactric cardiology nursing team at Sibley saved his life and continue to care for him.  Everyone was so wonderful to Jack, and we are so honored to be able to help raise money for Sibley!

I am writing this post to humbly ask for each of you to please support Jack, by supporting the Sibley Heart Center.  They are doing research right now, that will help Jack when he needs his future surgeries, including a valve replacement, and there are so many other children who benefit from the research and services they provide.  If you are able to pledge a donation, please do so, and email us at the address below, and we'll send you our mailing address.  Of course, if you already have our home address, please feel free to go ahead and send a check!

jacklaton25@yahoo.com

Please make all checks payable to:  Children's Miracle Network, and remember, all donations are tax deductible!!  The great thing about working with CMN, is that 100% of all donations will go to Sibley!

Below are some photos of Jack's other fundraising work so far.  We are looking forward to helping CHOA, Sibley and CMN do lots more events in the future!  Some good WILL come from Jack's congenitial heart defect, and it is going to start with sharing his story with those who can help make his, and many other children's futures, better.

Thank you for your consideration!!
Love
Maggie and Jack


Our First Gig!!  We spoke at a Golf Tournament hosted by McLane trucking on September 10th.  This company has worked with children's hospitals all over the country for years, and has raised millions!  On this day, they raised $26, 500 for CHOA - Atlanta!!  Terilyn Walton is holding Jack, she is the Children's Miracle Network representative who has helped us get involved.  Jack was a perfect gentleman the whole time!

Star 94 in Atlanta holds a big radiothon every year, during which they broadcast from the CHOA grounds, and include the testimonies of many of the families who have been treated there.  In the past, I have listened to the radiothon, and many of the stories, but I never realized how important the fundraising was.  Indeed, many of the stories were so heartwrenching, that I turned the channel.  This year, Jack and I get to tell our story, and I hope that it will move a few people to help CHOA.  Here we are with Cindy and Ray, the morning DJ's who interviewed us.  Jack did bring the interview to a halt with a hilariously timed poot, and Cindy though he was quite a cutie!