I hope this beautiful weather finds you well and that you are beginning to see the signs of a beautiful spring. 

Aaron is doing well. We had a scare on his biopsy in February. It showed a slight rejection. Can you imagine? What would you have done?

My mind raced back to the months we spent in The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in the ICU and all the sleepless days and nights in the hospital here and in Los Angeles. All those hours he spent hooked up to the dialyses machine — that noise is still so clear in my head. I remember Aaron getting on the transplant list and waiting and waiting for our phone to ring.

In April, in the same sentence the Dr. saw some rejection he also said, “Well, if his kidneys reject we just will get him re-listed we don’t want to loose his heart, but his kidneys will definitely go first.”

HUH? I almost fell out of my chair — I couldn’t even respond to him. We spent a month of hell praying that the results would be clear. None of the other families that we had met like Aaron, had gone through this, but none of them were two major organ transplants either.

His cardiologist decided to wait just one-month before repeating the biopsy. The doctor repeated the biopsy in April; it came back with a perfect result.

The doctors seem to think it was a result of some changes they had made in his anti-rejection medication, at the time they had drastically reduced the amount of several, in order to save his kidneys any damage.  So, he is on a very altered treatment path than most other transplant patients. That being said, he is monitored more closely than most other transplant children are.

He will continue his monthly IVIG treatments, along with weekly clinic appointments.

He celebrated his 6th birthday on April 9^th, with very few guests due to his immunosuppression. We thought he would be ready for school this spring but his doctors have said to have him wait until the beginning of next school year. He is disappointed. Aaron is really looking forward to going to school and doing normal activities that other children are able to do.

Our family has grown so much wiser our relationship together has grown and our relationship with God is so much stronger. When you experience pain like no other and grief beyond imagination, you see that the time you have to spend is precious — every minute should be enjoyed and savored — whether at work or with your family, make the most of your life now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy — be happy now.

Our webpage is still up and we would greatly appreciate any donations you could pass on to us, through either the website or the Aaron Tanner heart foundation. There are no fundraisers planned and we have no other donations coming in. Financially it has become very difficult, the money you donate will help Aaron to thrive with this gift of life he has been given.

The Golden Gate Bridge Walk will be coordinating in conjunction with the California Transplant Donor Network. We look forward to attracting a big crowd to this 3.4 mile round trip (back and forth) walk across the bridge with spectacular views of this world renowned landmark.

Organ-ize the Planet – Golden Gate Bridge Walk
Saturday, August 28, 2010
11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

This years walk will be dedicated to 4-year-old Aaron Tanner who is waiting for a rare double heart-kidney transplant. Aaron and his family have been invited to participate in the walk. The family is excited and hope that Aaron will be in good enough shape to be able to participate.

Sign-up information will be available soon. Check back for details.

View a video of last years walk. We look forward to seeing you there.

Everyday Superheroes Benefit

On behalf of The Women’s Networking Alliance, I’d like to personally invite to you join our community alliance to provide support to Aaron Tanner and his family.

Sunday, June 6th, 2010
Red Carpet at 4:00 p.m.
Santa Clara, California

(Click image for details)

Aaron is a 4 year old boy who desperately needs a kidney and heart transplant.  If that’s not bad enough, the family already lost Aaron’s brother and now, medical bills and expenses are piling up.   We hope that you will come together with us to lend a helping hand this little boy and his family.

Please visit our WNA Community Website and get involved.  We are selling tickets to our Everyday Superheroes Event on June 6th, asking for auction donations and/or you can making a financial donation as well.  We’ll have plenty of surprises, fabulous auction items and if you order your tickets on or before April 15th, we’ll have a special complimentary gift for you upon your check in.

Our very special thanks The Santa Clara Convention Center for graciously donating their venue, Mercedez-Benz, Comcast, Above the Law and The Magnolia Jazz Band for their musical talents, and SO many other donors.  We are truly grateful.

If you have any questions, are willing to help us in any way, please contact me directly at (408) 448-6131 or via email at community@womensnetworkingalliance.com.

Debbie Quintana Founder,
The Women’s Networking Alliance

Knights of Columbus Poker Tournament
Saturday — April 24th, 2010

Fr. Vicente Dominican Hall
1313 A Street  Antioch, CA 
(to the rear  next to the school)

The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m., and the poker tournament starts at 7:00 p.m.  Anyone who wants to come just for dinner is welcome.  Dinner is $20/person.

Join us the Knights of Columbus Poker Tournament for a fun night out and it’s for a terrific cause, 4-year-old Aaron Tanner.

Don’t miss out on this fun night, not to mention it’s for a good cause!

”We finally have a date and more details for the upcoming Knights of Columbus Poker Tournament. The event will be held on April 24th in the Fr. Vicente Dominical Hall. We will be serving dinner as well.

We will have professional dealers, video screens, music, and lots of fun. In addition to Poker, we will have a Blackjack game going for those who bust and still want to enjoy the evening. Yes, there will be prizes for the winners.

Table sponsorships and screen sponsorship are available. Table sponsorships are $100 and screen sponsorships are $50. If you own or would like to advertise a business during our event, please e-mail me at kjs4114@sbcglobal.net for additional details. Proceeds will benefit the Aaron Tanner Foundation. Please go to www.saveabrokenheart.com for more details. If you are unable to attend, the website has details for donations directly to the foundation.”

Kirk J. Schuler 
Sales Principal
National Service Accounts
Hussmann Corporation
Ingersoll Rand Climate Control Technologies
855 National Drive Suite 109
Sacramento, Ca 95834
(925) 813-1590 cell
(877) 825-0573 fax

Posted to YouTube on December 16, 2009

Won’t you help to Save a Broken Heart?

Black Diamond Ballet Theatre presents the Nutcracker to be held at the Pittsburg Creative Arts Building. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Aaron Tanner Foundation.

Location:
Pittsburg Creative Arts Building
250 School St., Pittsburg, CA

Dates: 
Friday, Dec. 18th - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19th - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 20th - 2:00 p.m.

Addmission: 
$20.00 general seating

Order Tickets:
Rachael (925) 550-9088
Lourdes (925) 584-1861
Giovanna (925) 813-0060
Cheryl (925) 698-6681

What: Haunted House
Where: Holy Rosary Life House, 1313 A St., Antioch, CA
When: Friday, Oct 30th and Saturday, October 31st, 2009
Time:  5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Admission: $5.00 adults/ $3.00 children (ages 10 and under)

Proceeds to benefit The Aaron Tanner Foundation

When: Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Time:  4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Where:  Dominican Hall — 1313 A. Street, Antioch, CA 94509

Jewelry will be sold once again by Cookie Lee with the proceeds going to support the Aaron Tanner Foundation.

Supporters are in need of donated items for the Auction or prepared Theme Basket donations would be greatly appreciated. If you have auction items or for more info, please contact Margaurite Elcenko (925) 699-8148.

More Events

The Holy Rosary Life Teen Group is planning a Halloween Haunted House in support of the Aaron Tanner Foundation.  Date to be annonced. Hope to see you there.

The Nights of Columbus are sponsoring a Texas Holdem Poker Night. Date to be announced.

In addition, Superior Car Wash Coupons will be available for $20 ($23 value).  $6 from each coupon will go to the Aaron Tanner Foundation for Aaron Tanner.  These coupons are valid until 12/31/09.

Makes a great stocking stuffer or Christmas gift.

Pinky’s is a Green Certified Car Wash
(Setting the standard to save the Delta Waterways.)

When:  Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Time:  2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Where: 300 East 18th Street
Antioch, CA  94509

For additional details contact, Kay Porter at Rivertown Nails
Call:  (925) 706-2240

Paula’s Family Florist is sponsoring a fundraiser for Aaron Tanner and SaveABrokenHeart.com. On Friday, September 25, 2009, the proceeds from the sale of all $5.00 Floral bunches will be donated to the Aaron Tanner Foundation.

What: All $5 Floral bunches will be donated to Aaron Tanner
When: Friday, September 25, 2009
Hours:  8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Pre-orders are being accepted now.

Corner of A & 15th Street
(The Little Yellow House)
Antioch, CA  94509
Contact Paula Franchetto-Trotta
Call:  (925) 756-6000