I usually do not post my event photography on my blog. However this is a special case. The Young family is an amazing family! Mandy has battled health issues all her life and last year when her mom needed a kidney transplant her dad swooped in and donated a kidney. It is such a sweet story. No matter what this family goes through they always keep a smile on their face and such a positive attitude. I just love them. Sadly a few weeks ago their house caught on fire and Mandy’s room was destroyed. This family is loved by so many people that all Mandy’s friends and family circled the wagons and threw Mandy a surprise shower to replace her burned items. It was a day full of love and joy and I think that comes through in these photos. I will be donating 10% of all photo shoots booked or prints purchased starting today until the end of 2014 to Lisa and Speed’s Kidney Transplant fund. If you are interested in donating please visit http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/lisa-and-speed-s-kidney-transplant-journey/207742. Also if you are a runner who lives near Conyers, GA check out the Lovin Life 5K!
Fifty Million to One
The Young family are my heroes! This is Lisa and her daughters Mandy and Alex. I have shared Mandy's story before and you should also check out her website and I took Alex and Chad's maternity photos before their little girl was born. Today I want to tell you the story of Mandy's mother and father, Lisa and Speed Young.
Lisa needs a kidney transplant. According to the Mayo Clinic, "A kidney transplant is used to treat kidney failure, a condition in which your kidneys can function at only a fraction of normal capacity." According to Living Kidney Donors Network, "There are over 80,000 people on the kidney transplant waiting list – and many people wait more than 5 years for a kidney from a deceased donor. The waiting list has doubled in size over the past 10 years - and it continues to grow." Finding a kidney donor is a very long and difficult process. Lisa's family immediately started getting tested because usually blood relatives are where you begin looking for a match. The Young's were constantly praying that a match would be found. And then Speed got a phone call. On Lisa's birthday. According to Lisa, "All I could hear was, 'Ok, uh huh, right, ok, sure.' He hung up the phone, looked over at me with big tears in his eyes and said, 'Lisa, I'm a match. I'm your match.' I felt every ounce of strength I had leave my body and my emotions got the best of me! I dropped my face into my hands and now balling like a baby, I thanked God for His miracle and then I practically ran across the room to him and said, 'Thank you. thank you for saving my life! I really hope I can save yours for you someday.' He looked at me and said, 'Well thanks, but I really hope you don't have to!'"
Doctors told Lisa and Speed the chance of their being a perfect match was fifty million to one. FIFTY MILLION to ONE! Their daughters couldn't be happier. Mandy says, "They really are the perfect match all the way around! Tears fill my eyes in thankfulness!" Alex says, "Better, worse, sickness and in health...they complete each other!!"
So now the Young family pushes on together and are looking ahead to the surgery. The thing is kidney transplants are very expensive. For example medication alone after a transplant is approximately $33,000 a year not to mention all the other expenses involved. So for the rest of 2012 a portion of every photoshoot that is booked with Susan Crutchfield Photography will be donated to the Lisa Young Transplant Fund. It doesn't matter when the photo shoot is booked for 2012, 2013 or 2014! I have been looking for a special cause to support for two years and I am so thankful to have found it.
Also, if you would like to donate to the Lisa Young Transplant Fund checks can be sent to: Mandy Young P.O. Box 80354 Conyers, Ga 30013. If you can not donate please join me in praying for this wonderful, inspirational family.
To book your session today please email me at susan@susancrutchfieldphotography.com. And check out my Facebook page to stay updated on funds raised!
