Welcome - Please take a look and please help.
Winston Bertrand was born on February 20, 2009 with a double whammy of two extremely rare and life-threatening conditions. He has a mixed Lymphatic and Venous Malformation.
Lymphatic malformations are varying sized cystic abnormalities of the lymphatic system occurring in perhaps 1 in 50,000 births. His parents, Jennifer and Chris Bertrand have had to practically abandon their business to assist in around-the-clock in-home medical care for baby. It takes a village to raise even the healthiest of children.
You can make a TANGIBLE difference by becoming a citizen of Winston's Village. Please join the cause "Winston's Village" on Facebook and click the "donate" button above today....every dollar helps and every dollar is directed to the care of Winston.
Recent News
Everyone is invited to attend this rock'n'roll and comedy fundraiser lovingly put together by Violet Clark, bringing together incredible talent from the music and comedy world:
http://la.metblogs.com/2009/11/30/tenacious-d-ok-go-and-more-added-to-the-winston-calling-benefit-december-8th/
Take a look at Winston's journey on Facebook - a wonderful video about the ups and downs of being Winston -http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=195455801252&ref=nf
9/30/2009 - New Website Launch
On 9/30/2009, we launched our new website. We invite you to take a look around the website and tell your friends to come see us too by using our new Spread the Word website tool. Also you can Join "Winston Village" cause on Facebook
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/361750/87117463?m=e56504ed
and spread the word about a baby and a family that could use your support. Thank you to every reader!
Jennifer and her husband Chris gave birth to a gorgeous - but heart-breakingly health-challenged - baby boy on February 20th, 2009. They could tell even in the womb that there were some health issues with the baby. But from the second he was born, all bets were off. It was clear that the medical challenges Winston faced were beyond extraordinary. Two very rare malformations had occurred during his development in the womb: Lymphatic and Veinous Malformations. The first deals with a lack of fitness of the lymphatic system and chronic pooling of lymph fluid, creating large cysts in the face and neck. The second concerns the improper formation of veins. Both conditions require extremely aggressive treatments every six weeks with a leading specialist in New York City.
Additionally, Winston receives 16 hours daily of in-home medical care from a revolving door of nurses, which mom and dad must continually train. Mom and dad cover the remaining 8 hours of Winston's medical care flying solo. From changing Winston's trach tube to feeding him through his other attached tubing device located in his tiny tummy, the Betrands have become honorary pediatric nurses themselves.
All of this they do with the humility, heart, humor and class characterizing the most selfless bodhisattva.
The Bertrands appreciate thoughts and prayers, but to my mind they could better use our tangible help right now. Winston's future is ours to share. It takes a village, even for the healthiest child. Let's be Winston's Village. Please join me in raising money and awareness for Winston's treatment and his conditions. Together we can make a HUGE impact, not only for the Betrands, but for other families with small children who are struggling with these particular health challenges.
(Thank you to Violet Clark for starting the cause, and allowing us to share her words and efforts. An inspiration and Winston's angel.)
