As news of the upcoming Benefit for James John Zintak spread, a sweet friend came up with a clever way to help. Instead of rounding up donations to create a home theater package to auction off at the benefit next weekend, we’re raising funds. Whatever we raise will buy a gift card to Abt Electronics — and the winning bidder can purchase the home theater equipment of their choice there. To start things off, Omni+ has donated one of their new media consoles, the Edge, as the centerpiece — now we just need to raise enough money to buy a gift card that’ll cover the TV and audio system. Aforementioned clever friend offered to donate $100 to start things off if she could find someone to match. Well, I’ll match that. So now we have $200 — who’s going to match me?
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Everyone has a story to tell or a cause to support — there are countless ones you hear every day about people who are facing battles that are tough to swallow. It’s impossible to help everyone. But we can still try. Social networking allows us to share stories like this with people we wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach. And that’s what we’re trying to do here. It’s our little way of helping where we can. While we’re sharing this story with the hopes that enough people will see it, raising essential donations to help give him the care he needs, it’s also to share his inspiring story of strength.
This post is dedicated to a little boy close to our hearts (the godson of a dear friend, Zach Eyman), dealt too tough a hand at too young an age. James John Zintak was born to Dan and Samantha Zintak (Eyman) on July 29, 2008. The first child to the Phoenix police officer and local grade school teacher, James was an active, healthy, typical little boy — until out of nowhere, he wasn’t. At 16 months old, he experienced continuous high fevers, was hospitalized with pneumonia and eventually was diagnosed with a very rare disease called CGD (Chronic Granulomatous Disease). In layman’s terms, James’ immune system doesn’t work well enough to fight off bacteria and fungus that is normally present in the human body — instead it attacks his delicate system. At the worst point, James had to have some of his right lung removed because of a very bad infection. He was in the hospital for several months, but is now home under very strict care and visits the hospital every week. Instead of living a normal life as an active toddler, James requires daily medications and shots and has limited contact with everything from the environment to his family.
His parents are hoping to have a successful bone marrow transplant before the year’s end to cure this disease. Two perfect donors have been found for him — and as long as they can keep him infection-free until the surgery, hopes for recovery are high. Finally, some good news!
Thankfully the Zintak Family has been blessed with a network of family and friends all over the country that have been supportive every step of the way. They’ve provided everything from updates from James’ hospital room to the organization of a fundraising benefit to help lighten the load of soaring medical bills, consistent treatment for James, as well as any obstacles that may lie ahead for them. While donations are important, it’s just as critical to tell his powerful story of a little fighter with an undying spirit that refuses to give up.
The Benefit for James John Zintak is being held on Sunday, August 8, 2010 at Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, IL. With more than 200 people in attendance, the event is sure to raise awareness about this rare disease and pull together critical funds for the Zintak family to continue with James’ care.
While any donations are welcome, we’re specifically trying to pull together a ‘Home Theater Package’ to auction off at the benefit. If you’re in the position to donate a TV, audio equipment, or accommodating accessories, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Every little bit helps! Even passing this along to your networks helps — you never know whose heart you’ll touch. Thank you for reading.
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