Why does Kevin need
your help? Sadly, Kevin
suffers from a very cruel and fatal children’s disease called
Niemann-Pick Type C (NP-C).
What is Niemann-Pick
Type C (NP-C)? Niemann-Pick
Type C is a neurodegenerative disease that primarily strikes
children in their early childhood years with death occurring
before or during adolescence. Happy and healthy children in
their early childhood begin to suffer from a painful and gradual
neurological decline because of damage to the brain as result
of the body’s inability to metabolize cholesterol.
Early symptoms of NP-C
are frequent falls, balance problems, loss of vertical eye movements,
slurred speech, and learning difficulties. As the disease progresses,
seizures begin, children lose their motor skills, eyesight and
hearing, as well as the inability to swallow, and ultimately
- death.
This life-robbing disease
is not only painful for these children, but also their parents
who experience a tremendous heartbreak as they watch their children
slowly decline both physically and mentally. No child should
have to suffer from such pain. Although children worldwide are
afflicted, research has been extremely limited primarily because
of insufficient funding due to a smaller population of children
affected and lack of public knowledge. Currently, there is no
cure or treatment for NP-C.
YOU
CAN HELP KEVIN …AND ALL
NP-C CHILDREN
by supporting accelerated research to find a cure and by praying for these children who have been stricken with this cruel and deadly disorder. You can make a difference by donating to 'The Kevin Eadie Foundation, Inc'.
It is a non-profit charitable foundation established with the State Corporation Commission in honor of Kevin (with pending Federal IRS 501c-3 approval). The Foundation's mission is to fund NP-C research, and to provide assistance with Kevin's medical needs and other children afflicted with NP-C. Kevin's Foundation will operate under the Federal guidelines of a non-profit organization (Tax ID #26-0493932), and donations will be tax-deductible. Donations are used to fund accelerated research to find a cure or a treatment for Niemann-Pick Type C (NP-C), as well as Kevin's medical needs and other children afflicted by NP-C.
Kevin is a beautiful little boy who LOVES LIFE, loves God, loves his family, and loves baseball. He has an infectious fun-loving personality. He is a very courageous and positive little lad who touches the hearts of so many people. It has been said by many people that he is an angel. Just a few years ago, Kevin was able to run, play little league baseball , and chatter endlessly with ease. Today, he struggles, and his voice is silent. The past 2 years have been very difficult for Kevin. He has been in and out of the Children's Hospital totaling 17+ times with the hospitalizations totaling 4 months over the last 15. Since January 2006, Kevin has lost his ability to talk, swallow, eat, and have control over his movements. He has endured many seizures, painful medical procedures, and several surgeries. In addition to his neurological progression of NP-C, Kevin has battled and overcome a rare lung disease called B.O.O.P. All of it combined has been an overwhelmingly emotional, physical, and financial struggle on both of us. Kevin's spirit, my personal faith, and the support from my family and friends lift some of the weight of this heavy emotional load giving me tremendous physical strength to help Kevin and be his MOM; however, the physical and financial strains are all consuming.
Kevin has ALWAYS loved life and he is such a fighter. Even through everything, his losses, pain, and suffering, Kevin is still SO lovable and he exemplifies the courage of a true Champion. Kevin no longer dreams of being a "Major League" baseball player; however, his dreams are Major League. He dreams of being able to walk, talk again, and he dreams of growing up without suffering. His mother hopes and dreams that he will escape further painful symptoms and he will live a full life into adulthood. Kevin's dreams and life will continue to fade without funding the research to find a cure, and his care and medical equipment to ease his suffering will diminish. Other children worldwide who are afflicted with NP-C are struggling daily to survive the ravages of this disease while helpless parents hope each day a cure will be found soon.
You can also help Kevin and the other NP-C children by supporting research being funded by the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation (APMRF). The former beloved Notre Dame Football Coach, Ara Parseghian, and his family established this foundation after learning three (3) of his grandchildren have NP-C. Since its inception in 1995, significant strides have been made in NP-C research; however, time is so critical for Kevin and these children. Coach Parseghian says, "There will be no cure without research and no research without funding."
Be a Life Saver! Please help Kevin and the other children by supporting research to find a cure, and supporting Kevin's Foundation to assist with the overwhelming costs of his medical needs. We desperately need your help! We all have the power to change the outcome for these children; a little bit from those of us who care...can make a big difference in saving Kevin's life and the lives of all the NP-C children. "We hope our children can continue to walk, grow up, and color our world with their sunshine, laughter, and voice."
With sincere gratitude,
Brenda Eadie
Honored to be Kevin's MOM (Mother On
a Mission)
"For nothing is impossible
with God." (Luke
1:37)
