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By Jewell Cardwell
Published on Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007
Even in their unspeakable grief, Akron's Mike and Martina Williams somehow were able to call on a resolve they never knew they had in order to help prevent the tragedy that took the life of their son, Mason, at only 17 days old, from happening to other babies.
That's why they organized ''Mason's All-Star Benefit'' a softball fundraiser in its second year for 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Firestone Stadium. Teams playing will be the COPS (Mike Williams is an officer with the Akron Police Department) vs. P.I.C.U. (members of the pediatric intensive care unit at Akron Children's Hospital).
The Williamses who have a fundraising goal of $50,000 to establish a foundation in their son's name have already raised more than $17,000 and given $10,000 to the hospital's PICU and Palliative Care unit. A new park and playground area for children also has been constructed in Mason's memory at the FOP lodge.
Here is Mason's story, as shared in a letter from parents:
''On Jan. 30, 2006, we thought we had it all. We welcomed our baby boy, Mason, into the world. Although he was born at 1:15 a.m., Maddie and Melina were at AGMC (Akron General Medical Center) to say hello to their baby brother . . . We left AGMC on Feb. 1 and brought Mason home to be with his big sisters. During his time at home, we celebrated Melina's 4th birthday and watched the Super Bowl with our 'little man.' On Feb. 10 we took Mason to Children's because he seemed to be pale. We were told he had a slight case of pneumonia. We had already informed the ER staff that we had a bad case of viral pink eye sweep through our home during January. This was caused by adenovirus. We were already well versed in this virus, as we spent three weeks visiting the eye doctor prior to Mason's birth. After his birth, he did show some signs of pink eye.''
Mason remained hospitalized until the 13th, when he began having seizures.
''The next four days of our lives would be the most hellish roller coaster a parent could imagine.''
Mason's condition worsened rapidly, and the family made the heartbreaking decision to discontinue life support . . .
''There were no doctors, nurses or staff that knew this virus could make a little one so sick.''
So his parents began doing their own research following their son's funeral.
''We got in touch with a doctor from the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and had Mason's blood work sent to him. This allowed Mason to be part of a yearlong study into adenovirus and how age-specific the severity of infection really is . . . The CDC is currently researching a vaccine for newborns, as there is no treatment for this virus.
''People look at us and expect us to be bitter. We want to help make a difference to pay respect to our little man's life. Although he was only here 17 days, he was so loved and adored, not only by his mommy and daddy but especially by his big sisters.
''We are still unsure what our final project will be but we do know that Children's (hospital) will be the major recipient.''
The benefit game will be followed by a cookout at the FOP Lodge No. 7.
If you are interested in donating to this worthy cause, please make checks payable to Mason's All-Star Benefit and mail them to Akron Police Credit Union, 1570 Akron-Peninsula Road, Suite 2, Akron, OH 44313.
Sickle cell event
Akron Children's Hospital's fourth annual ''Mychal Clayton Sickle Cell Awareness Walk'' is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Goodyear Heights Metro Park; registration is at 8 a.m. at the Pioneer Shelter.
Although Mychal, a 13-year-old Akron lad, receives blood transfusions every four weeks, his mother is grateful that he hasn't had to be hospitalized for major health problems in the past three years.
Mychal who will be in the eighth grade at Jennings Middle School enjoys bowling, golfing, swimming and anything to do with animals.
Sickle cell is an inherited blood condition in which the red blood cells are crescent-shaped and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels, causing decreased blood flow. A plethora of health problems including severe pain and lung tissue damage can follow.
Sickle cell is most common in African-Americans.
Mychal's mother, Toka Clayton, said a Sickle Cell Awareness Support Group meets at the hospital at 6 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month. For more information, please call LaTonya Lewis the hospital's newborn screen counselor and Region VI coordinator for the sickle cell program at 330-543-3521. Preregistration for the 4.5-mile awareness walk guarantees participants a T-shirt and a goodie bag. Cost is $10. For more information, please call Toka Clayton, the event coordinator, at 330-283-5066; or LaTonya Lewis at 330-543-3521.
Patron sponsors also encouraged at the $250 to $1,000 level.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
Get the full article here.
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