Family w/ terminal illness needs a helping hand

Hey All -

One of my closest friends - who lives in Indiana - has two wonderful little girls, Phoebe who is turning 9 this week, and Abby who will be 11 next month. Phoebe is turning into a talented little pitcher and plays a fantastic infield. Abby is a lefty first baseman with speed, that I am trying to convince to turn left and slap Both girl's currently play rec ball, although both have been asked several times to join 12u travel teams - yes, they are that good.

Unfortunately, 1 1/2 years ago, their dad was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. The easiest way to explain this is that his lungs have turned to concrete. The pulmonary fibrosis, according to his doctors, was caused by the massive doses of chemotherapy he received when battling Hodgkin's disease (cancer) several years back. He is currently on the waiting list for a double lung transplant. Unfortunately, while he has been waiting, his heart has weakened due to the constant strain, and the doctor's feel he may need a double lung AND heart transplant in order to survive. The double edged sword to that is because it takes so many calories to simply breathe, he is now 120lbs at 6'3" tall, and has to GAIN weight to move up on the transplant list. The reality is, he'll probably only be with us for another year.

The family is swimming in medical bills and buying bats for their girls definitely falls into the category of luxury, not necessity. I have dug through all the closets in the house, and I don't have anything close to a 30" or 31" composite bat to send the family, as my daughter's shortest bat is 33".

If you have an old composite bat - 30" or 31" - laying around the house, gathering cobwebs and would be willing to send it as a donation to the girls, it would be SUCH a blessing.

PM me for more information.

Thanks for reading this, and please, no matter what, keep this family in your prayers.