Golf Touney and Updates

I would like to take a minute to thank everyone involved in The 2nd Annual Jack Ryan Gillham Memorial Golf Tournament. It would not have been possible without the players, sponsors and volunteers!! We also had a great silent auction and would like to thank the people/companies that donated items to that! I'm not sure yet of the exact total that we raised because we still have some expenses to take care of, but I do know that we raised several thousand dollars that will be a tremendous help for families of sick babies in the year to come!!

We are so blessed to have so much support!! So, thank you so, so much!!! We are so grateful!!!

Also, the date is set for the (re-scheduled) Jack's Cruise for Compassion Poker Run. It will take place on September 19th and details will be announced soon.

Please, be in prayer for the babies listed on the side bar. It seems like the outcome of CDH comes in waves. For a while, a lot of babies will not do well and then the tide will turn and the next few babies that are born with CDH do really well. Maybe there's no truth to that at all...who knows???

Also, we are approaching what would have been Jack's 2nd birthday on July 6th. It will be a bittersweet day for us, no doubt. So, if you think about it, please say a prayer for us that day...or just stop and thank God that Jack graced this earth for 6 amazing weeks.

Prayers for Sweet Babies

Kamryn has arrived and as of now is holding her own in the NICU. Her twin sister, Brooke, has also been taken to the NICU due to some fluid on her lungs, which is not a huge concern...but still, please be in prayer for both baby girls and their Momma and Daddy.

Also, there was a little boy born yesterday (locally) that was not in good shape at all when he was delivered...like, barely alive. After some investigating, it was found that the placenta has not been working properly for a few weeks and he had been deprived of oxygen and nutrients for quite some time. Please, keep baby Cooper and his parents in your prayers. Things are not looking good for little Cooper. Bless their hearts.

June Updates

I have been a terrible blog updater...I promise I will try to do better.

I have some excting news! Most of you will probably remember Quintin.



He has spent the last 19 months (yes, 19!!!) in Arkansas Children's Hospital. He was born with CDH and has dealt with many obstacles in his little life, but by God's grace, he is still with us and is GOING HOME on June 30th!!!! Praise God. Please, pray for his Momma, Katrina, as she adjusts to their new life at home. It will be HARD work, but very worth it! :)

Please be in prayer for sweet Avery and her parents (my dear friends, Shane and Carissa) as they continue down the CDH road of uncertainty.

Also, please be in prayer for Kamryn, who will be born any day now and will have to fight for her little life as well.

The 2nd Annual Jack Ryan Gillham Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for this Saturday (June 20th) at Oakridge Golf Course in Huntsville, AR. We are super excited about it and are praying it's a huge success so that we will be able to help even more families in the coming year!!!

Jack's Cruise for Compassion Poker Run had to be cancelled due to MAJOR rain, but has been rescheduled for September 19, 2009. I will post details as soon as we get past the golf tournament and I can think straight. :)

Thank you all for your continued support!!

Prayers, Prayers and More Prayers

Little Kaden lost his battle with CDH, so please keep his family in your prayers. Bless their hearts.

Little Ruby is still fighting and will hopefully overcome all the CDH hurdles.

Kaileigh was born 10 months ago as a preemie and was not expected to make it, but has defied the odds all along. Kaileigh has not woken up since yesterday and it appears she is brain dead. Please pray for a miracle and if that's not His will...then pray for peace for Kaileigh's parents.

Carissa and Shane are expecting Avery, who will be born with CDH, on May 12th. Please pray for them as well.

Also, if you are somebody who has been touched by CDH in any way, shape or form, please check out this blog and see how you can help the CDH community raise awareness! Way to go, Kellie!!

Prayers Needed!!!

Please be in prayer for Ruby and Kaden. They are fighting will all they have and are needing our prayers right now, as well as their parents who need strength and peace to get through this. Please, pray that God will uphold them during this time.

Also, please pray for my sweet friend, Carissa, who is expecting a baby with CDH name Avery. Last week at their doctor appointment they were given a date of May 5th for Avery's arrival. Please pray for them as the anticipate Avery's arrival and her battle with CDH.

Carissa and I...

Final Poker Run Details

Ok, we've made a few changes, but I think we got it all worked out!!

Jack's 2nd Annual Cruise for Compassion Poker Run will take place on Saturday, May
2nd! We are listed as an "official" Springfest event!!!

Registration: 9:00am at George's on Dickson St. in Fayetteville with the last bike out by 11:00am

Route:
George's on Dickson - Fayetteville
Iron Horse Saloon - Prairie Grove
Cherokee Casino - Siloam Springs
Jose's Southwest Grill - Springdale
George's on Dickson - Fayetteville

Entry fee is $25.00 for the first rider and $15.00 for the 2nd (on the same bike).

Additional hands can be purchased for $15.00 or one additional card for $5.00.

Cash prizes will be given for best hand, worst hand and the hand with the most Jack's.

And even if you don't ride you can purchase a poker hand at our Springfest booth.

T-shirts will be given to pre-registered participants. You may download a registration form at www.jackryangillham.org or you may register on the day of the event. Pre-registration deadline in 4/15/09.

We are also needing volunteers!!!!!!!

For additional questions or to sign up to be a volunteer for this event please send an email to jackscruise@gmail.com or call Bethany @ (479)305-0448.

Thank you!!!!!

On the Radio

For those of you who are local and can tune in...I will be on 104.9 at 8:00am tomorrow to promote the JRG Foundation and our upcoming events. Listen if you can!!

Also, please be in prayer for the families who have recently lost babies and for those who are expecting sick babies. Thank you.

Angel Girl

Please pray for this sweet family as the deal with the loss of their baby girl, Addison. I know they would appreciate your prayers.

Also, I recently met a family from NW Arkansas that is expecting a baby girl with CDH due in May. Please pray for sweet Avery and her family.

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Also, I have had some trouble with the foundation email lately. If you have tried to contact me and have not gotten a response, please email me at bethanygillham@hotmail.com. Thank you!!

Favorite Local Non-Profit

If you have a Facebook account please visit Keep Fayetteville Funky's page and vote for The Jack Ryan Gillham Foundation as the favorite local non-profit. We are one of the finalists, which is an honor in itself!!!

If you do not live in NWA or Keep Fayetteville Funky is not one of your Facebook friends, you may find them by searching for their name on Facebook.

Thank you for your vote!!!

Big News!

Jack's Cruise for Compassion 2nd Annual Poker Run - May 2, 2009. The Poker Run will take place during Spring Fest this year and will begin at Jose's on Dickson St. in Fayetteville. Stops will include Huntsville, Eureka Springs, CHEROKEE CASINO (How fun!!) in Siloam Springs and will end at Jose's in Springdale with great food and LIVE music!! Online registration will soon be available at www.jackryangillham.org.

The 2nd Annual Jack Ryan Gillham Memorial Golf Tournament - June 20, 2009 @ Oakridge Golf Course in Huntsville, AR. There will be free food and drinks all day!! A reception will follow where prizes will be distributed to players, as well as food, music and a silent auction!! Online registration will soon be available at www.jackryangillham.org.

Jack's 3rd Annual Baby Shower - October 4, 2009 @ Mitchusson Park in Huntsville, AR. We will gather needed items to donate to the NICU at Arkansas Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House. A list of needed items will be available for viewing shortly at www.jackryangillham.org.

For sponsorship or volunteer opportunities please email me at bethany@jrgfoundation.org.

Foundation News and Prayer Requests

The JRG Foundation will have a booth at the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit Day at the NWA Mall on March 5th from 4-6:00pm. So, come out and see us and check out some other neat non-profits as well.

We are getting all the dates lined out for our 2009 events and are looking forward to doing more for families of critically ill babies. 2008 was SUCH a great first year, though. :)

Our first event of the year will be a poker run followed by our 2nd annual golf tournament on June 20th. We will be busy, but it's always so much fun!!

Will you please pray for this little girl? And for Leighton, who is recovering from a heart transplant? Thanks so much!

And as always, for more information on our foundation, its upcoming events, volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website or email me at bethany@jrgfoundation.org.

Keep checking back for updates!

Jack's Story

I was interviewed yesterday evening by a representative for the National Center for Prevention of Birth Defects. She asked lots of questions about my pregnancy with Jack, the prognosis we were given and the obsticles he faced in his life. She asked if we (as a foundation) would be willing to spread the word about genetic testing to find a cause (and therefore a cure) for CDH. HECK YES WE WOULD!!! So, any CDH family out there, we HIGHLY encourage you to get as involved as you can in the study of birth defects. Your DNA is priceless for these studies!!!

The story on Jack will run in their national newsletter and will be available for viewing online. I will let you know when that will be.

Also, if you are interested in receiving the JRG Foundation's electronic newsletter, please send your email address to bethany@jrgfoundation.org.

Another Angel

Please pray for this family. Their sweet baby girl, Ryann, lost her battle with CDH yesterday afternoon. She was SUCH a beautiful baby and I'm sure she's an even more beautiful angel.



I know her family is broken-hearted, as well as her big sister Reggan. Bless their hearts.

Thanks for a Great Year

We are looking forward to 2009 and to the continued success of the JRG Foundation. We have added two new events to our schedule this year, and while the foundation will surely keep us very busy, it will also reward us in the most amazing of ways. We are so blessed to do what we do and to help these families. It is truly a blessing.

We'd like to thank everyone who donated their money, time and energy to the foundation in 2008 and pray that we will have just as much support in 2009. We're honored that people (even total strangers) believe in our mission and are willing to support us.

One of my favorite quotes is, "You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."

We will never be able to repay you for the gifts you have given to us. Thank you for your contniued support.

For more information on our foundation, our history and our upcoming events, please visit www.jackryangillham.org.