Help Needed for the John Family

Most of you know that my Alaska brother Reuben John (son of Fred and Linnea John Jr. of Delta Junction) and his wife Rachel (daughter of Dwight and Julia Phillips of Delta Junction) had their baby, Isaiah Peyton John on October 28th, 2007. Isaiah has severe Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) in his heart and lungs. Since birth he has been struggling with his health, he had a surgery last week but has been unable to leave the hospital or breathe on his own since his birth. His family has been unable to hold him due to the various breathing devices he must stay connected to in order to survive.

Per doctor’s orders, Rachel has been in Anchorage prior to his birth. Shortly after Isaiah’s birth, Reuben returned to Fairbanks for work, however, after only two days back at work, Isaiah’s specialist suggested Reuben return to Anchorage due to his precarious situation. Reuben will unlikely be able to leave his family until Isaiah is in a more medically stable condition, which according to his doctors may be at least two months.

I'm writing this letter to ask you to consider donating to Reuben and Rachel so that they can continue to be with baby Isaiah at the hospital. After all this family has been through, they need the support of each other during this difficult time. In addition to the extreme emotional stress caused by Isaiah's medical condition, neither Rachel nor Reuben have been able to work. Now Reuben will be leaving his job and is considering giving up their home in Fairbanks to cut the cost of rent and utilities. I know any assistance we can give them will help reduce their financial related stress and allow them to focus on their son.

Donations can also be sent directly to them by logging onto www.paypal.com and going to Send Money, type in Rachel’s email notmyown557@yahoo.com or phone number 907-590-7376, and enter your email and the donation amount. The donations will automatically be deposited into Reuben and Rachel's Paypal account. You can also send a donation to Delta Christian Center, PO Box 1329, Delta Jct., Alaska , 99737 and they will send them to Rachel and Reuben in Anchorage.

Please consider helping this family, and most importantly, remember them in your prayers,

Thanks,
Lael R. Echo-Hawk

* Daily updates on Isaiah's condition can be found at the following website www.thestatus.com, you can also send words of encouragement to them via that website.
To log on to www.thestatus.com go to visit a patient page, last name John, password John557