MEET KID CHAMPION AIDAN-THOMAS!
Yesterday we shared on our Better2gether social media channel a heartfelt interview with Aidan-Thomas Smith and his mother, Miriam Smith. They were interviewed by Sabrina Shutters, ABC8 News. You can watch the interview to see Aidan in action and to hear his sweet song at the end, “You always need some help, and that’s okay.”
I’m so grateful to you – our Better2gether community – for being there to help kids like Aidan.
Meeting Aidan and seeing his smile, you would never know of the battles he faces every day. He has epilepsy, dyslexia and other illnesses. Because of this, he’s considered medically complex. Miriam shares, “It’s hard to be in that space where everything looks like it’s okay and it’s really, you know, a very challenging situation.”
Your support ensures that families get help with medical supplies, equipment and navigating all the unknowns that come with caring for a child with a serious illnesses. Thank you for helping our kids and families during their time of need!
Gratefully yours,
Stephanie Becker
Executive Director
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Events
We need your heart & hustle!
We are three weeks away from our largest annual fundraiser, the Better2gether Halloween Hustle 5K on October 29. We count on this important event to fund our programs that provide care and support to children with serious illnesses.
Last week, some of our kids helped to film a commercial with Sarah Bloom at NBC12 to promote the event. Seeing the kids in their costumes and having fun was a good reminder of what this event is all about – the kids!!
Sign-up to run or walk, create a fundraising team or make a donation. Any way you choose to participate will help to provide emotional, financial and social support to our kids and families.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Sloan, Better2gether Mom & Volunteer
During the first few weeks of now six-year-old Addie’s life, her mom, Sloan, had some concerns about her baby’s development. When Addie (front-left) was 18 months of age, she was diagnosed with TRMU Deficiency, which is associated with acute liver failure. In addition to her medical needs, Addie experienced some developmental delays – like feeding challenges and delayed walking – likely due to her lengthy hospitalizations.
“When I found B2G, we were already through the worst of our situation,” Sloan explains. “But I knew the feeling of needing local support, and of needing someone to say, ‘Here’s the skilled nursing we use’ or ‘This is how we got insurance coverage.’” Sloan shares, “From big things to little things, there’s so much value for families to connect with other families who can say, ‘Hey, we’ve done this.’ I recognized the benefits of Better2gether and wanted to get involved.”
Sloan is part of the communications planning team who is working to connect with donors to raise much needed funds to serve additional parents and families. “My involvement with Better2gether has worked well in many ways,” Sloan explains. “I’ve gotten a ton out of it. It’s been a rich and meaningful experience for me and my entire family.”
Sloan, thank you for your time and dedication to helping Better2gether grow!
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Programs
Providing Practical Everyday Support
TONIGHT we are hosting our Speaker Series event at 5pm with special guest Anthem Blue Cross. Our Better2gether Families will get answers to their questions about the Medicaid Waiver as well as tips & tricks on utilizing case management services.
Our Speaker Series events are open to the community and all are welcome to attend! Be sure to register to receive the Zoom link. We hope to see you there!
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Community Partners
M4K Richmond
Will you join our Better2gether team of growers to raise funds so our kids have the care and resources they need? Register today and get ready for a hair-raising good time!
Here’s how it works: Each year, during the four-week Growing Season spanning November, growers sprout sweet, sweet mustaches and ask for donations from friends, family, co-workers, and people in the community. Kind of like getting pledges to run a marathon, without the exertion, cramping, or dehydration. Call it a facial hair marathon.
At the end of the Growing Season, the growers hold a Mustache Competition called the ‘Stache Bash, which is a cross between a beauty pageant, dog show, and police line up. During the competition, growers, often in mustache-enhancing costumes, are put through a test of mind, body, and mustache and allow their facial hair to be evaluated by an independent panel of judges, and one mustache is declared to be the “Sweetest.”
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PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TODAY!
There are thousands of families in RVA caring for a child with a medically complex illness who have no non-medical support. Please consider donating today so Better2gether RVA can meet the needs of these deserving families and children.
What Your Donation Does:
$50 – provides a Kindle Fire for distraction and entertainment during long doctor appointments
$75 – provides a gas card and meal gift card to help relieve the financial burden for families during an unexpected hospital stay
$150 – stocks a tote bag filled with books, supplies and a medical binder to equip parents with tools to care for their child
$200 – grants 4 children access to our Create2gether Art Program
$500 – helps fund MOMENTS, Richmond’s only support group for parents of medically complex children
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