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Andrew Needs Our Help

Publisher Update

: Our thanks to Will Van Sant of the St. Petersburg Times for getting the word out. From the visitor comments and emails I'm receiving, Saturday will be very busy. 

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Growing up in foster care taught me to be self reliant, so it's rare for me to ask for help. But after hearing about Andrew Scott Hall of Safety Harbor, I knew this was an important time to ask. Andrew was struck by a car as he stood on the sidewalk in front of his residence while waiting for a ride. He transported by Bayflite to Bayfront Medical Center late Monday night. He has a crushed pelvis and has lost one leg. I understand he has gone through 36 units of blood. That's why I'm publishing this post today.

I've never met Andrew, but from reading Rita Farlow's coverage on Tampabay.com and the comments published by his friends it seems like I've known him all my life. Like me, Andrew left home early in life because his mother could not care for him. Like me, Andrew has had caring adults who stepped up when he needed them the most. Andrew has spent his life expecting the best, looking for the good in others and always ready to share a smile and a hug with everyone he meets. I can identify with that. 

Now more than ever Andrew needs the help of a few caring adults. 

Would you please join me in donating blood in Andrew's name either Friday or Saturday afternoon?

It's all about Courage

If you have never been a blood donor, I can understand how the idea might give you pause. But trust me, all it takes is a little bit of courage. Not anywhere near the amount of courage it takes for my brothers and sisters in fostercare to get through a day not knowing where they are going to stay or if they will have something to eat. And donating blood also takes a lot less courage than the commitment shown by Andrew's surrogate family and brother, Hanyn and Mary and Allen Arana when they decided to make Andrew part of their family. 

Blood Donation in the Name of Andrew Hall

Florida Blood Services
Regal Cinema - Park Place Stadium 16
4385 Park Blvd
Pinellas Park, FL 33781 - Location Map
(It will take about 30 minutes of your time, depending on the turnout)

Friday 4/24/09   1-5 pm   (I'll be there to greet you from 1-3 pm)
Saturday 4/25/09   2-8 pm   (I'll be there to greet you from 2-4 pm)

I hope you can make it. I'll have a big get well poster you can sign.

If you can make it, please contact me, so I can let FBS know who's coming.
jerry@gitchel.com or 727-278-9382.

Jerry Gitchel
Member - Foster Care Alumni of America

Resource Links

Florida Blood Services

• If you are a new donor, please read, Can I Donate?
• If it's been a while since you've donated, please read, 50 Reasons to Give Blood Again.

St. Petersburg Times

Rita Farlow's coverage  

Me, Lee and Earl T - My Thanksgiving Wish

I'm going to have a Happy Thanksgiving this year, which hasn't always been the case. Many of my Thanksgivings were memorable, even if they were not special. I remember how nice the guards were at the reform school the Thanksgiving when I was 8. All the kids were surprised. Mr. Chuck didn't hit anyone for the whole weekend.

The social worker and nurse picked up my brothers and I when I was 6 months old. We ended up in separate foster homes, so I'm not sure where I spent my first Thanksgiving. But I remember my first Happy Thanksgiving. Me, Lee and Earl T were reunited for Thanksgiving 1968. It felt weird, but I was happy. I was simply thankful to know I was part of a family. For foster kids, Thanksgiving is more of a spectator sport. It's just not the same as being a member of the team.

Until this year, I thought you couldn't get a happier Thanksgiving than my reunion with Big Brother Lee in 1994. It's not every family who get to see their feast on ABC News. I was thankful for the watch Lee gave me with the inscription "For the Time We've Lost, Love Lee". I was most thankful that he had the courage to contact me after 24 years. For foster kids, it's often really hard to open doors to the past.

I don't have much experience in this brother thing, but apparently it's the big brother who's in charge of reunions.  While decorating the house for the holidays last weekend I received another email from a big brother, my oldest son Jason. He simply asked for contact information for his brothers, Andrew in Boston and John in San Diego. Sometimes big brothers can be so cool.

I'm thankful this holiday because once again, a big brother had the courage to prove that even though we are scattered to the four corners of America, there really is no distance between hearts.

Brother-Link Photo Gallery

My Thanksgiving Wish

My holiday message is the same one I shared with that TV reporter fourteen years ago. My Thanksgiving wish is that you take advantage of this perfect opportunity to reconnect, reunite  and rejoice with your family and friends this holiday season.

Happy Holidays!
Jerry Gitchel

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