Family In Need

I saw this story and wanted to share it with you all. Some of us are able to help this family... they're in our community!

Bikers Rev Up Money for Calera Boy in Need

posted 10:15 pm Sun March 29, 2009 - Birmingham, AL
reporter: Ana Jasen
from ABC 33/40 News - http://www.abc3340.com/news/stories/0309/608414.html

They ride to rev up money to help people in need. Now, dozens of bikers from across the country are mounting their motorcycles in honor of an 11 year-old boy from Calera. 200 motorcycles roared past Children's Hospital in Birmingham Sunday in what was called the Little Man Ride. That little man is Mason Hart. "I think that's pretty cool. I think I'm one lucky person to have people riding for me," says 11 year-old Mason Hart. "It's so great to see people band together for this amazing young man he is just an amazing kid," says Heather Bickers, biker. Mason was recently diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. His mom, Michelaine Hart, says he has ulcers on his large intestine. She says it's treatable but not curable. Mason's currently undergoing IV infusions of an experimental medicine that the family says insurance won't pay for. Michelaine says it's difficult for her and her husband to work when they're trying to spend every moment with Mason in the hospital. "Parents aren't able to work. Family Medical Leave Act only allows you to be out for 12 weeks and there's other foundations out there to help with medical bills but there's not foundations out there to help with your power bills and food," says Michelaine Hart. Sunday's ride raised more than $4,500. Some of the money will go to the Hart family and some will go to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America to help fund a 'Camp Oasis.' It's a special camp for children like Mason. The rest of the money will go toward buying new portable games and toys to brighten up the infusion room at Children's.
Mason's friends and family plan to set up a bank account to receive donations. Until then you can email reporter Ana Jasen if you're interested in giving to the Hart Family. The email address is anaj@abc3340.com