Wednesday, January 26, 2004
Earlier, we got word that there was a donor in South Carolina that could potentially benefit Jordan. Although there was such a donor, another critical baby in closer proximity to the donor will receive (or hopefully already has received) this heart. We are genuinely happy that another baby in this terrible situation got a chance at life and we couldn't be more pleased for the baby's parents. We imagine the kind of joy they must feel hearing that their child matched with a donor, and hope soon that we can experience the same joy. We would love to hear from this baby's parents with an update on the success of the operation.
On another note, this story has gained A LOT of momentum in the media these past few days - and we hope it continues. Aside from getting the media coverage, there has been constant support for us at the hospital from friends and family which helps us get through the days and allows us time to spend by Jordan's side. I've been carrying around a piece of paper and writing down the names of all the people we have to thank - and I filled both sides of the page already. Here's a preliminary list, with all apologies if you are not on it yet. I saved all the emails and pieces of paper and hope to include all soon.
FIRST AND FOREMOST TO THE MORGAN STANLEY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT COLUMBIA PRESBYTERIAN - YOU ARE DOING ALL YOU CAN TO SAVE OUR PRECIOUS LITTLE BOY. YOU DO YOUR MIRACLE WORK WITH COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING IN ONE OF THE BEST FACILITIES WE'VE EVER SEEN. WE THANK YOU SO DEEPLY FROM THE VERY BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!!!
My Mother Helene (Jordan's Grandma) and Michael - for cooking us food, looking after Oscar (and Michael's mom Linda for taking Oscar into her home!), spending long days at the hospital with us, and thinking of every little thing that we need, but do not have the wherewithal to think about at this time.
Sadaf's Parents Naeem and Bilqis for their moral support and prayers. Osman, Dallice, Riz and Tahera for taking care of our apartment and other necessities and, of course, moral support (and technical computer support!).
Audrey and Richard Weinstein - my aunt and uncle who initially spread the word with the idea to contact the media to push the story and have made it their quest to find our baby a heart. Amy Berryhill - my cousin, words cannot express how we feel about you right now and your constant effort to get this story out while taking care of your beautiful family. You are awesome. Craig Weinstein - my cousin, for sending out the first emails to the news media and all his CISCO colleagues. Local Channel 9 was holding his email during the interview. The Marins and the whole family for all their love and support!
Stacy Rotner - my cousin ;-) who used her media contacts to push the story.
Bryan Dotson and Linda - They do PR for the hospital and helped arrange all the interviews.
Steven Bensusan - my very old and good friend, owner of the Blue Note Jazz Club and BB Kings Blues Club in NYC for being in constant contact with everyone he knows to get our baby a heart, and especially for putting us in contact with Susan Blond, Inc., a publicist who is pushing this story so incredibly and distributing the pictures and facts to all the media - Elizabeth Rosenthal and Brad Zeifman of her office have been so wonderful and helpful to us.
Debbie DeSantis and Joe Moniaci - for getting the story on 1010 WINS and NY1 and so much else. Danny Feld and Gina Bevinetto Feld - for contacting media and constant moral support.
Ellyn Marks and The WB Channell 11 News at 10 - You were the first TV news on the story and produced such an amazing segment - we are so thankful to you.
Erin Calabrese at the New York Post - you spoke to me with such compassion and ran such a great story (three days in a row actually) in your paper.
Maki Becker at the New York Daily News - two great stories in two days.
Jonathan Glenn at Fox News Channel - and old and dear friend of mine who hepled us get national coverage over a snowstorm filled weekend. And Greta Van Susteren for the latest national coverage!
1010 WINS News Radio, Kristin Shaughnessy at NY1 News, Lauren Woods at CBS Channel 2 Local News, Dr. Max Gomez at NBC Channel 4 Local News, Joanne Pileggi at UPN Channel 9 Local News, Samuel Rivera at Telemundo, and Allison Gilbert at ABC Channel 7 Local News - for the wonderful segments you all ran on your programs. Also WBGO Radio Jazz 88.3 and 710 WOR Radio.
Marc Brownstein, the Disco Biscuits, JamBands.com and JamBase.com - Marc is an old dear friend and bass player for the Disco Biscuits. He put the story up on his site and JamBands and JamBase followed suit.
Donald Luskin, CIO of Trend Macrolytics and blogger on PoorandStupid.com - Don was the first blogger to respond to my email and put our story on his site.
Michelle Malkin (MichelleMalkin.com) - for putting the story on her much read site.
Clausen Miller P.C. - for being so understanding during this time and your constant support.
O'Melveny & Myers LLP - for spreading the word and showing me what a great group of people you are.
Judge Lauria, Judge Pearl, Judge Elkins and everyone at the Brooklyn Family Court - we are touched by your incredible show of support!
WE KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY MORE AND WE WILL ADD YOU SOON!!! PLEASE KEEP SPREADING THE WORD AND KEEP THIS STORY GOING - WE NEED TO FIND JORDAN A HEART SOON OR WE WILL LOSE OUR LITTLE BOY. AT THE VERY LEAST WE CAN HELP OTHERS OUT THERE WHO NEED A TRANSPLANT AND THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.