AHWAHNEE — Join friends and neighbors at The Hitching Post on Wednesday, June 19, as the nonprofit group Helping One Woman (HOW) honors Nancy Hamilton. The event begins at 6 p.m. and you’ll be greeted at the door for sign-in. Your reservation will secure a seat for your meal and tables will be shared as the community gathers to support this local family in their time of need.
“Nancy lives in Ahwahnee with her husband Rick, son Kal and daughter Lily,” says sponsor Christel Hays. “Nancy served as a Marine for eight years, deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Japan. She has a degree in Healthcare Administration and uses her knowledge to bring light and joy to families at Helping Hands Pregnancy and Parenting Center.”
Nancy’s son Kal, 6, was officially diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) on Dec. 30, 2018. Duchenne is caused by a genetic condition that prevents the body from producing a protein that muscles need to work properly. Without it, muscle cells become damaged and weaken.
“A diagnosis can be very scary, but the family is glad to finally know why Kal couldn’t keep up with the other kids at school and why he kept falling down.”
There is currently no cure for DMD, which is rare, but there are some potential cures on the horizon.
HOW sponsors say Kal is blessed to be receiving umbilical stem cell treatments. The treatment holds great promise but the cost is exorbitant at about $10,000 per month. The family has engaged in many fundraisers and, so far, the Flex for Kal fundraising account has covered the cost of his first two treatments. Kal needs a treatment every three months.
“Despite his diagnosis, the family remains optimistic and trusting in God,” says Hays. “We believe in the power of prayer and ask that you continue praying with us and for us, especially for a miracle, but ultimately God’s will to be done.
“Let’s show them an outpouring of love and care.”
The community is invited to join together at the Hitching Post to show Nancy an abundance of love and support in her time of loss. Please RSVP to Tokens at (559) 658-5428 with the number in your party, or if you have any contributions or questions.
HOW meets monthly to celebrate one deserving woman who receives the community’s support when she needs it the most. Those participating in the HOW benefit will offer $10 or more as a suggested donation for Nancy and pay for their own dinner as usual. Proceeds from the June event go directly to Nancy at the end of the evening.
Recipients of HOW are always a woman who is going through a time of irreplaceable loss or who has been through a period of loss within the last 12 months. Irreplaceable loss is defined as a catastrophic loss which cannot be recovered.
HOW says that “one woman with $10 can buy another woman lunch. Ten women giving $10 can buy another woman’s groceries. One hundred women giving $10 can really make a difference in another woman’s life.”
If you know a woman who is going through a time of irreplaceable loss, come to the May HOW meeting and nominate her to be the next recipient. Recipients are chosen in a public drawing.
“Remember that by helping one woman, we help one family and one community.”
Helping One Woman Oakhurst on Facebook
Update on May dinner for Kim Andrews: Helping One Woman Oakhurst is incredibly thankful for the amazing community support received tonight. Over 100 people attended our May 2019 HOW Dinner in honor of recipient, Kim Andrews. Many attended their very first HOW Dinner this evening and we hope you’ll be back! Special thanks to Rose Wright who donated the proceeds from the sales of her beautiful felted rocks, Tricia Hunter Anderson who donates her gorgeous bullet jewelry at just about every dinner, and our lovely sponsors, Kristine Olle Rush and Kathleen Owens. Excellent job! And of course, Char at the Hitchin Post, who generously opens her doors and her heart to our group time after time. There are many more who donate, we wish we could name you all! Our hearts are with you, Kim Andrews, during this very difficult time. — HOW Oakhurst
Contact howoakhurstchapter@gmail.com
