The Beeler Foundation Past Recipients
Brian Wilson - 2010
Brian Wilson had suffered from uncontrolled diabetes from the time he was 18 until two years ago, when at age 34, he received a transplant. Over time, his kidneys failed and in 2009 he began dialysis. Brian and his wife, LaTishia, have three children, all of whom were all greatly affected by the financial, physical, and emotional burden of Brian’s kidney failure and diabetes. Brian had been a teacher and basketball coach and was forced to quit both jobs due because of his illness. Disability benefits assisted very little and the Wilson’s had to rely on help from his family, his church family, and the brothers of his fraternity. Eventually, the Wilson family received assistance from the Beeler Foundation. Brian had coached basketball against Lou for several years and also coached with one of Lou’s sons before becoming disabled. Brian had admired his fellow coach and never knew that Lou struggled with a brain tumor until after Lou had passed away. “We were able to make some very important payments toward bills while we were waiting on my disability to kick in and help. It also helped us to have a good Christmas with our family when income was very low. We greatly appreciate this foundation and wish to help give back in any way possible,” says Brian. After two years of dialysis, Brian received a transplant for a single kidney and pancreas; he is now healthy and happy again. He has started a new job teaching and coaching basketball at Louisa County High School. A year after his transplant, he played in the first annual Virginia Transplant Games in October of 2011, and is preparing to join the Virginia 3 on 3 basketball team in Michigan next summer for the National Transplant Games. “I would like to thank Sandy and the Beeler Foundation for their support and assistance during our family’s time of need and difficulty. Through it all I give honor to God, and thanks, for, ‘I can do all things though He who strengthens me.’”
DC Stokes is a father of three beautiful girls and a grandfather of one. He was the 2009 recipient of financial assistance from the Lou Beeler Foundation.
DC had been seeing a family physician for a couple of years and they were not able to control his high blood pressure. After serious thoughts and concerns he decided to change primary care physicians. Upon his first visit with his new doctor and getting a physical, the doctor noticed abnormalities in his labs and sent him to a kidney specialist.
In Oct of 2002 DC underwent a kidney biopsy. It was then that he was diagnosed with Renal Kidney Failure. His kidney's at that time were functioning at approximately 30% and was told that at some point in the near future he would be needing a transplant. Over time his symptoms worsened. It took all he had to make it through a day at work, his appetite decreased, he fought nausea more frequently, his hearing loss grew worse and eye sight worsened as well.
By the end of 2008 his kidney specialist told us to start preparing for a transplant. After the first of the year he was put on the nationwide transplant list which we were told it could take years before finding a match. After having several members of his church and family inquiring about being a donor, there was no match. His wife Jackie mentioned from day one that she wanted to get tested to be his donor but they decided against it because it would put both of them down at the same time. With time slipping away and the thought of something else happening to make things worse she decided to see if she was a match, since their blood types were compatible and as
DC Stokes - 2009
God would have it, she was a match. After months of testing and preparing they had a transplant day set for June 18th, 2009. They were told by the physician that DC could be down for up to 3 months. After checking with his employer he found out that there was no longer disability insurance and he would only get paid for his 2 weeks on unused vacation/sick time. The only income they would receive was Jackie's from her employer. This would prove to be a difficult time trying to make ends meet as well as the expenses that they acquired from the transplant.
"Our church, family, friends and the Lou Beeler Foundation came up with different fund raisers to help us out. We are very thankful to all of those who contributed to our needs during this trying time. Especially the Beeler family and The Lou Beeler Foundation for recognizing us in our time of need. We will always be grateful and give support back to the foundation to help others in need."
In June 2011, DC is 2 year post transplant and the doctors are telling him he is doing awesome and has not experienced any complications at all. He ended up returning to work after being off for 2 months instead of 3 like the doctors predicted. He said instead of feeling like the 46 year old that he is, he feels more on the lines of 35.
DC and Jackie said, "With out the Faith, love, support of friends and family and contributions from the foundation, I am not sure what we would of done if we could not of been able to provide for our family. We are truly blessed and know if time arises in the future and we need support again, The Lou Beeler Foundation will always be there".
God Bless
DC and Jackie Stokes
Ashley Cramer, is a beautiful 11 year old young lady. She has a twin, Cooper, and a 14 year old sister Brittany. Her father, Mike, has worked for Young Life, a non-denominational Christian outreach to high school students, for over 20 years. Her mother, Lori, is a stay at home homeschool mom, who volunteers her time with Young Lives, Young Life for pregnant and teen moms.
Ashley became sick in September 2010. As of January 2011, her diagnosis was Celiac disease, but she had severe neurological complications that doctors still have no explanation for. She had lost almost 20 pounds. She was in three hospitals, saw many doctors, and was on a feeding tube for 2 months; she even stopped walking, talking and eating for several months. God has been good and Ashley has come an incredibly long way. After having no memory for over a year, Ashley’s memory returned this past summer. Also, this fall, she received a clean scope from her current GI doctor. Both are miracles considering how sick Ashley was not that long ago, and we are beyond grateful for God’s mighty hand at work in her life. Ashley continues to work hard to regain ground academically and we are trusting the Lord with complete restoration of her vision, which she is still struggling with.
This trial was an incredible strain on our family financially, physically and emotionally. Words can not express our gratitude for the financial assistance that the Lou Beeler Foundation provided. We are deeply grateful that they decided to be apart of Ashley’s story, which we believe God will use for His glory. Our family is sincerely thankful for your prayers and support. We truly could not have walked this difficult road without the help of the Lou Beeler Foundation and many awesome believers storming heaven’s gates on Ashley’s behalf.
To follow Ashley's story go to www.strength42day.wordpress.com
Ashley Cramer -2012
