Elmwood Newsletter - 12-31-2014

Made possible in part by Community Sustaining Sponsor

Gwen's First Christmas Delivered on Wings of an Angel Baby

Gwen 1

Joel Bornemeier has reason to celebrate this Christmas. In September, at two weeks old his granddaughter, Gwen Rohrig, became one of the youngest patients to have a liver transplant at Nebraska Medicine. Gwen, daughter of Mandy (Joel's daughter) and Kyle Rohrig, was born two weeks prematurely on September 9th at Methodist Women's Hospital. She began having having problems from the start. She had enterovirus all through her body. She received excellent care at Methodist Women's Hospital that helped her get better...except for her liver. The medical team recognized that her liver was failing and recommended she be transported to Nebraska Medicine for further care. Gwen was going to need a transplant. She was in the pediatric ICU for a week when the Rohrigs received an offer of the baby's liver. It is very rare opportunity for someone so young. A transplant on a baby is risky and not done very often. Gwen's parents made the agonizing decision to take the leap of faith into the unknown future and accept the life saving gift from an angel baby. While it is a joyous opportunity for one family it means that there is a heartbreak for another family. The depth of this heartache is not lost on the Rohrigs. They are forever grateful to the family of the angel baby who unselfishly shared the gift of life with Gwen.

Mandy tells the story in her own words on a youtube site (link is below). Please take a few minutes to watch it and say a prayer for the family. Mandy would like to say thank you to everyone in the community for their love, prayers, and support they gave to her family. Mandy said, "Gwen is a resilient little girl who received a generous gift. We celebrate her medical team, Gwen's life, and the life of her donor."

If you would like to help the Rohrig's with their expenses a Red Basket page has been created just for that purpose. Click on the link to make a donation. Everything is appreciated!

Watch Baby Gwen's story as told by her mama, Mandy.

Click here to go to the Red Basket page to help the family out with a donation

==========================================

ECC help wanted 1

Mahoney Job

Schwans

============================

Lofte Midland

Midlands Community Foundation Matches Gifts to Lofte Theatre Through January 5

Manley, NE [December 29, 2014] - The Lofte Community Theatre is excited to announce that they are participating in a fund-matching program with the Midlands Community Foundation. For the month of December through January 5, 2015, all donations given to the Lofte Community Theatre in Manley will be matched up to $5,000 per donor by the Midlands Community Foundation. Gifts above $5,000 will receive a pro-rated match from the organization.

The Midlands Community Foundation is focused on assisting with improving the quality of life in both Cass and Sarpy counties. They have been working towards this goal since 1984 and since that time have awarded over $7 million in community grants.

Donations can be made to the Lofte through the ‘Donate Online’ button on their website, Lofte.com. Donations may also be made by check or cash directly through the Lofte box office. Those with questions may contact the Lofte box office at (402) 234-2553.

=================================

Mahoney Yule Log

Daycare job 1

Daycare job 2

RCL Karaoke

RCL Skating

Bulldogs

===============================================

A Personal Note from the Murray Editor...

During this season of love and generosity, I feel the need to share this tragic story. Amber Gray, is my cousin's grand-daughter. Amber just celebrated her 14-year birthday at Thanksgiving time. Three and a half weeks later, at the beginning of Christmas week, she was still a healthy, happy young girl. Overnight, what was thought to possibly be strep throat, was quickly diagnosed as influenza, type 'A'.

Sadly, one bad turn after another occurred and on Christmas day, while everyone else was celebrating the joy of the season with loved ones, Amber's heart stopped. The 'paddles' briefly brought it back to its' job of pumping life through her young body, but on December 28th, Amber lost the fight.

Now, after 6 days in the hospital and with pending funeral expenses, Amber's parents are facing a huge financial burden. (Amber has a little brother, Aidan, too.) Please visit the link below, where Amber's uncle, Adam Broman, has set up a campaign to help. Amber's folks would be grateful for any donation you might feel in your heart to help with and it would be sincerely appreciated.

Thank you.

Pat Zeigler

Editor, www.MurrayNebraska.com

http://www.gofundme.com/warriorsforamber