Huge Success, reserve early for '07!  

For Immediate Release;

Orlando, FL, November 4, 2003 – Top Professional Billiards player Sarah Ellerby ‘Velvet’, has announced that she will be teaming up with A GIFT OF HOPE for medically fragile & cancer children Inc, a.k.a Kids Beating Cancer Inc. www.kidsbeatingcancer.com

Originally from England, Sarah is one of the most exciting young players on the prestigious Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) tour. Sarah’s hope’s are, to increase awareness of this charity as well as raise money. Sarah’s first mission will be to run the 2004 WALT DISNEY World half Marathon on Jan 11^th. "I’m really excited about running the half marathon, not only for the charity but for myself. You know I feel very fortunate to have my health, if you don’t have that, what do you have".

 
Sarah helping Roland decorate his tote bag at the Halloween party!

A GIFT OF HOPE for medically fragile & cancer children, also known as Kids Beating Cancer, Inc., was created in 1992 by a mother, inspired by the tenacity and courage of her son John, who died at the age of 9 from leukemia, after 2 bone marrow transplants, and years of home nursing. After expanding it's mission to include critically and chronically ill, medically fragile children, Kids Beating Cancer, developed the name A GIFT OF HOPE for medically fragile & cancer children to encompass both missions.  "Everyday the lives of children are put on hold by the devastation of being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, or whose illnesses leave them chronically in a medically fragile condition requiring complex, complicated, and prolonged medical care," states Margaret Guedes, CEO and Founder.  "Insurance, Medicaid, and Children’s Medical Services, provides limited coverage, however, many of the medical and therapeutic services the kids need are not covered benefits.  This is where A GIFT OF HOPE steps in to provide the medical interventions necessary to sustain life and enhance the child's full potential, while allowing them the opportunity to just be a kid." 

 
Roland showing Sarah where he would like the witch to go and seems happy with the result!

"Working with Sarah on behalf of the children is very humbling. She is dedicated to bringing smiles and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses. Her energy to use her prestige to bring awareness and donations to A GIFT OF HOPE is commendable. Through her billiard skills and competitive running, she will bring hope to Central Florida children who will benefit from the services A GIFT OF HOPE funds.".

You can help the appeal by either sponsoring Sarah for the half marathon or simply by giving a donation. Your donations will help children with cancer in need of a marrow transplant find a donor and children in need of medical and therapeutic care, receive the treatment they need to survive and reach their full potential.