Donation
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@SBMDFoundation
Mission
The Samantha Blake and Michael DeGennaro Family Foundation is a non-profit tax exempt organization whose purpose is to create rainbows in the lives of children diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and Wilms’ Tumor. The Foundation provides assistance to children and families who have experienced distressing times due to treatment of these illnesses.
Funds donated to the Foundation help these children and their families cope with challenges that are unique to persons diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and Wilms’ Tumor.
Your generosity helps carry out the efforts of the Foundation by providing funds for special equipment, nursing care, trans- portation, lodging and other requested needs.
This Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization and contributions are deductible for federal income tax purposes.
About Samantha And Michael
Our daughter, Samantha, was diagnosed at birth with Hydrocephalus and numerous other disorders. She had her first brain surgery when she was just five weeks old. During her first year of life, she had ten surgical procedures in all. Although at 22 months she could not sit or walk, Samantha was happy, full of smiles and love, and brought unimaginable joy to our entire family.
Michael was Samantha’s uncle and Godfather. His life was tragically taken in an automobile accident just two months before Samantha passed away. His unconditional love and devotion to Samantha and our family helped us through difficult times. His compassion and zest for life lives on in our hearts and continues to inspire our mission.
Sincerely,
Richard, Christine, Alexandra, Madison, and Leah Blake
About Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a condition in which the normal drainage of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain is obstructed. The most common treatment is the placement of a shunt system by a neurosurgeon. A shunt is a mechanical device that is used to divert the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid to another area of the body where it can be reabosorbed. The purpose of a shunt is to mimic what would occur in the body naturally.
Just like any other mechanical device, shunts are susceptible to failures and malfunctions. When a shunt system needs to be replaced, the operation is referred to as a “revision”. A shunt system is a temporary solution for a permanent condition.
About Wilms’ Tumor
Wilms' tumor is a cancerous tumor of the kidney that occurs almost exclusively in young children. The average patient is about three years old. Wilms' tumor is a type of malignant tumor. This means that it is made up of cells that are significantly immature and abnormal. These cells are also capable of invading the kidney and traveling throughout the body.
Wilms is best treated when it is found early, before it has spread to other areas of the body. Almost half of Wilms' tumors are found before they advance which means that they are limited to the kidney when completely excised.
With treatment, the disease has a high cure rate. Treatment for Wilms includes surgery, chemotherapy, and possibly radiation, depending on how far the cancer has spread.
