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Meet Molly Gibbons. Please help make her smile.
Molly is a an eleven-year-old middle school student in Jamesville, NY, who suffers from Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). EB is a rare and devastating genetic skin disease (affecting only 1 out of 50,000 births) for which there is currently no cure. In this condition, there is a defect in the connective tissue of the skin and mucous membranes that causes the skin to be so fragile that the slightest friction, minor injury, heat, rubbing, or scratching causes severe blistering inside (such as the mouth, stomach, esophagus) and outside of the body. These blisters can cause serious and sometimes fatal problems when they become infected. Those with EB live in unthinkable pain. Young EB patients are often called “butterfly children," because their skin is as fragile as the wings of a butterfly.
When Molly was born and her diagnosis made, her parents were told that she, like countless other EB babies, would likely not live more than 12 months. Eleven years later, she is a beautiful, caring girl known for her smile, positive attitude and desire to help others.
Molly and her family have privately battled her disease without asking for any financial assistance. They only recently agreed to bring attention to Molly's condition by allowing her to participate in media interviews specifically to generate awareness of EB and for baby Easton Friedel who was born in August 2012 in a community close to Molly's home (see link to media coverage). However, Molly's family's situation has changed and she now needs our help.
Like most all EB children, Molly's bandages need to be changed about every three days. It takes 3 to 4 hours and the process is so painful that Molly dreads having it done. But she knows her bandage changes are critical to prevent infection and to help keep her wounds from bleeding and blisters from oozing. She is much more comfortable with the bandages on, and as her supply runs low, she worries about the smell and discomfort it will mean if she has to go longer between changes. Not having enough bandages is the last thing this kind and loving little middle school student should have to worry about.
An area pharmacy has generously agreed to sell Molly's bandages at cost and has set up an account for her. Every penny received through this donation campaign will be deposited in Molly's pharmacy account and will be spent on bandages and changing supplies. Though the goal is $1,000, we would love to far exceed that amount and raise enough to cover the approximate $4,000 it will cost to supply Molly's bandages for just one month. It would be such a gift to take away Molly's worry--even if just for a while--about having enough bandages so that she can focus on things other eleven-year-old girls do.
A dollar or two or whatever you can spare will be greatly appreciated by this special little girl and her family. Together, we can make Molly smile!
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/central_new_york_community_com.html
