Saving Face With Faith

Navigation:

Updates

Read the latest exciting news..

Click to see new pictures.

Donnie and Sharon will head back to Bethesda, Maryland on June 4, 2009 and return home on June 9, 2009.

The schedule is as follows:

June 4- Dr. Singer 4pm
June 5- Dr. Singer 12pm
June 6 - Dr. Singer 4pm
June 7- Dr. Singer 4pm
June 8- Dr Dufresne 2:30pm
June 9-Dr. Singer 7am

The new area above the top lip will be stretched so that the new upper palate and denture can fit and work properly.
Donnie has continued to have much pain and swelling since the last surgery in march. He needs your continued prayer and support.
Although Donnie's quality of life will never be what it was before cancer, all of the surgeries will at least make his life easier. He will be able to chew without having to use his fingers. He will be able to filter the air without the use of a mask. He will be able to speak and be understood. He and Sharon look forward to the day when his life will be as "normal" as it can get after all he has been through.

Special Events:

Donnie really needs your help. If your church, organization, or you as an individual would like to hold a fundraiser, please contact the site administrator so that we can advertise it here.

Contact Donnie & Sharon

Click here to email Donnie and Sharon or you may write to them at 207 Hunt Dr. Calhoun, GA 30701

Links:
Robert Barron is in charge of rebuilding Donnie's face.

Angel Flight Ministries
flew Donnie and Sharon"free" to 3 of our long-distance appointments.

Modern Woodmen of America Larry Jonson and his lovely wife are no less than angels!

Calhoun Times newspaper article done by Karen Shaw  Type  "Donnie Fritts" into the sites search bar .

Dr. Craig Dufresne did the surgery on Sept. 28, 2005.

Dr Eric Taylor primary care doctor before and after the cancer removal surgery.

Dr. Michael Singer is building the roof of Donnie's mouth.

Dodd's Carpet

Residence Inn by Marriott Fairfax Merrifield Gatehouse Road---Falls Church VA 22042

Barrett Road Church of God
Donnie and Sharon's church home.

What if...

Suddenly, you were faced with the awful decision of having surgery that would leave your face extremely disfigured or dying from a cancer so painful not even the strongest of pain medications would ease your suffering? What if you were forced to wear a mask every day of your life, not to hide your disfigurement, but to filter pollutants from the air? What if you not only had to fight cancer but also the prejudice of being different? Think it can't happen? Think again.
On August 21, 2003, Donnie Fritts had surgery to remove his nose, top lip, upper palate, forehead, facial tissue and bone as well as part of his brain due to a rare form of cancer called Ameloblastic Carcinoma . Since that time, Donnie has had eleven surgical procedures to restore part of what was lost to him. As you can imagine, this process has been neither painless nor inexpensive. The technicians and doctors are doing difficult and amazing work; work that will not be finished unless we help.

What If....
 After five years and eleven surgical procedures you finally see an end to the nightmare only to be told lack of money will you keep you from waking?

Robert Barron , an anaplastologist will require $12,500 to build Donnie's nose. It will be a functioning nose. It will filter pollutants and help Donnie breathe and keep the nasal area moist and clear.
Dr. Michael Singer needs $20,000 to rebuild the roof of Donnie's mouth. This upper palate will help Donnie speak more clearly and will give him the ability to chew and swallow. Click here for letter from Dr. Singer (You will need a PDF reader such as Adobe)
Don't say it's not possible to raise this money! What if it were you, your spouse or your child? What would you do?

How You Can Help

Donate
Please help by sending your tax-deductable gift today.
Donations should be sent to:
Barret Rd Benevolence Fund c/o Eleanor Silvers
Re Donnie Fritts Medical Expenses
172 Brian Drive
Calhoun, GA 30701
For more information, you may call Ms. Silvers at (706) 629-5469 11am-
8pm EST
Donnie and Sharon never know how much is in this account nor do they know who donated. All donations are kept in the strictest confidence.
Thank you for your help.

Contact Your Senator
The surgery Donnie requires to allow him to breathe filtered air, keep his nasal passages moist and be able to chew and swallow more normally, is considered to be "cosmetic." This ties Medicare/ Medicaid's hands when it comes to helping now. This needs to be changed. It is too late for Donnie but not too late for anyone else who may have to "face" similar circumstances. Please contact your Senator and/or Representative and let's change this policy.
Click here to contact your senator

Pray
 Prayer is always needed. We appreciate your continued support as you lift Donnie and Sharon up through your prayers.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us
Romans8:18