Jeff-Widgnwhacker-Wallis
06-09-2009, 01:39 PM
The Josh Gaudet Story
by Avery International Pro-Staffer Paul Mackinnon
I was sitting home one evening when the phone rang. On the other end was
the familair voice of fellow Delta Committee member Eric Paynter. My first
thought was it was an up coming meeting reminder or something to do with
our youth day or mentor program.
When Eric began to speak my heart sort sank. A young man named Josh Gaudet
who was involved with our youth day and our mentor program was diagnosed
with Lukemia. Josh is only 16 years old. Eric was Josh's mentor and a
friend of the family and I could hear that tone in his voice. Eric asked
if I was willing to help out with a donation, anything at all just
something that might brighten up Josh's day and bring a smile to his face
during this difficult time.
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3457/joshu.jpg
I said I would definitely do something and would get back to him shortly
and to leave it with me. Alot of emotions ran through my head after that
conversation and a simple donation of an item just did not seem like
enough.....I felt I needed to do more and without alot of thought at all I
fired off an email to all the Avery family here in Canada. After I sent
that email I sort of had a feeling of should I be asking people I barely
know to make a doantion to a kid that surely do not know? maybe I over
stepped my bounds? Maybe I overreacted because of the loss of my own
mother this past year to this horrible disease? I was not sure then or am
I now but I know I was going to help somehow.
My fears were quickly put to rest with the overwhelming response from the
Avery family up here in Canada. Emails and calls starting coming in and
before long we had a ton of donated gear for Josh so when he gets better
and back in the marsh he will be outfitted from head to toe. Everything
from fllece pullovers, calls,hats, gloves and decoys were just a few items
donated to Josh.
I put off writing this story as at that end of March Eric had sent word
that a possible bone marrow donor had been found. This would be great news
and desperately needed course of treatment for Josh. I am thrilled to
report that as of this week a donor has been found for Josh and his
treatment will progress at the IWK Childrens Hospital in Halifax, Nova
Scotia. All the donations are going to good family friend Eric Paynter who
will pass it on to Josh as he might get home for a day or two before the
transplant.
I would also like to thank Rob Jepson Pro Staff Relations Manager and Mike
Hungle Flyway Manager for their help and assistance with the logistics of
getting the products up here.And a big thanks to all my fellow Pro
Staffers with Avery. I am proud to be a member of of this family and
thanks for your support.
by Avery International Pro-Staffer Paul Mackinnon
I was sitting home one evening when the phone rang. On the other end was
the familair voice of fellow Delta Committee member Eric Paynter. My first
thought was it was an up coming meeting reminder or something to do with
our youth day or mentor program.
When Eric began to speak my heart sort sank. A young man named Josh Gaudet
who was involved with our youth day and our mentor program was diagnosed
with Lukemia. Josh is only 16 years old. Eric was Josh's mentor and a
friend of the family and I could hear that tone in his voice. Eric asked
if I was willing to help out with a donation, anything at all just
something that might brighten up Josh's day and bring a smile to his face
during this difficult time.
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3457/joshu.jpg
I said I would definitely do something and would get back to him shortly
and to leave it with me. Alot of emotions ran through my head after that
conversation and a simple donation of an item just did not seem like
enough.....I felt I needed to do more and without alot of thought at all I
fired off an email to all the Avery family here in Canada. After I sent
that email I sort of had a feeling of should I be asking people I barely
know to make a doantion to a kid that surely do not know? maybe I over
stepped my bounds? Maybe I overreacted because of the loss of my own
mother this past year to this horrible disease? I was not sure then or am
I now but I know I was going to help somehow.
My fears were quickly put to rest with the overwhelming response from the
Avery family up here in Canada. Emails and calls starting coming in and
before long we had a ton of donated gear for Josh so when he gets better
and back in the marsh he will be outfitted from head to toe. Everything
from fllece pullovers, calls,hats, gloves and decoys were just a few items
donated to Josh.
I put off writing this story as at that end of March Eric had sent word
that a possible bone marrow donor had been found. This would be great news
and desperately needed course of treatment for Josh. I am thrilled to
report that as of this week a donor has been found for Josh and his
treatment will progress at the IWK Childrens Hospital in Halifax, Nova
Scotia. All the donations are going to good family friend Eric Paynter who
will pass it on to Josh as he might get home for a day or two before the
transplant.
I would also like to thank Rob Jepson Pro Staff Relations Manager and Mike
Hungle Flyway Manager for their help and assistance with the logistics of
getting the products up here.And a big thanks to all my fellow Pro
Staffers with Avery. I am proud to be a member of of this family and
thanks for your support.