After 10 surgeries, 15-year-old Jade Arthur is one more surgery away from being free of the effects of a hemangioma that disfigured her nose and mouth. It is just one step away from completing the long road that Jade and her family have traveled since she was born with the hemangioma, a large growth that resulted in an abnormal amount of blood vessels at the surface of the skin that grow at a rapid rate during the first few years of life.
The Because I Care Foundation, Inc., a resource for those born with rare vascular malformations like Jade's, is doing its part to assist with a fund-raising effort to cover gaps in the Arthurs' expenses as they move toward the end of their difficult road. Jade's family lives on a single income. Gracious donations have poured in for the Arthurs: for travel from Tennessee to New York – where the surgery will take place in July – hotel accommodations and even the surgery itself, where world-renowned specialist Dr. Milton Waner has agreed to do the procedure free of charge after the original sponsor was affected by the recent Bernard Madoff Ponzi scandal.
Now Because I Care is accepting donations for the family's transportation and meals during their 11-day stay in New York. Jade will be in town for surgery and a brief recuperation, according to Sharon Freeman, founder and president of Because I Care.
“Our goal is to help Jade and her mother, Maria Arthur, be able to eat and get around to/from the airport, hospital and hotel while in New York.,” Freeman said. “Due to a very limited family income, the Arthur’s were unable to secure the finances for such a long travel for this very necessary surgery, so on behalf of the family we are asking for the help of the community.”
If you are interested in learning more about Jade’s journey, please visit http://www.bic-
