Hello, my name is Quentin Waid and I am 9 years old. I hope you will take a minute to read this letter. I live in Florida with my 3 brothers and I like to paint, draw, listen to music, play with my dog, and I absolutely love to cook and watch the Cooking Channel, especially Paula Deen. I am also a sports fan. I am not able to play many sports, but I love to watch.
I have Loeys Dietz Syndrome. That’s a big word that means that my body has weak spots, especially my arteries. Some of my organs are weak too. That can cause some trouble sometimes. Since I have these weak spots, I can get aneurysms (that’s like a place that is too big) in different places or sometimes my organs can tear and then they must be removed or fixed. It’s okay though because whenever I get sick and need surgery I can go to the hospital and they always fix it. I have really nice and funny doctors at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and the nurses are nice too. Even if they have to stick me a lot of times to start an IV or get blood, it’s okay because I know they feel bad that they didn’t get it the first time. My doctors always talk to me and want to make me feel better. So that’s part of the reason for my letter. I feel like I can thank God every day for the hospital, doctors, nurses, and that is important. I really wanted to do something more so they know they are appreciated and will want to keep helping kids like me.
The hospital and people here aren’t the only ones who have helped me. Until a year and a half ago, I didn’t know the name of what was wrong with me. Then God brought Dr. Dietz into my life. He is this really nice doctor in Baltimore, MD who figured out what I have. Then his buddy, Dr. Cameron, did surgery on a part of my heart that fixed it for now. I know that I might need surgery again someday, because they do not have a cure for LDS (Loeys-Dietz Syndrome) yet, but Dr. Dietz is working on a cure, and Dr. Loeys too - I think he lives in Belgium. I know that there are only about 100 people with LDS right now but Dr. Dietz really needs to keep researching to try and fix the ones that have it and get the word out so that no one else dies because they don’t know that they have LDS. That’s the other reason why I’m writing this letter. I want to help Dr. Dietz keep researching because he saved my life and maybe he'll be able to do the same for other kids like me.
Now, there is one other group of people I want to thank and give some help to. That is all the people at Make-A-Wish. We got to go on a Disney Cruise and it was AWESOME! I didn’t have to think about doctors or appointments or anything except for having fun while on the cruise! Then they asked me if I wanted to throw out the “First Pitch” at a Tampa Bay Devil Rays game. I couldn’t believe it - it was like a dream, a really good dream. I met all the players and all my friends came to the game. I will never forget that. They send me tickets to football games and hockey games too. They just don’t stop. I want other kids to get to do what I’ve done because of Make-A-Wish. I know it costs a lot of money, so I want to help. So again, I need your help to help pay back what they did for me so other kids can have a break from doctor apts. and tests too.
So finally, my idea is that if everyone I know were to send me a dollar and send this e-mail to other people I could get a lot of money to help my hospital, Dr. Dietz, and Make-A-Wish. My mom said we could take the money and put it in the bank and then on April 20th of next year 2008 – my 10th birthday - I will split all the money and give it to the 3 different groups. We've already gone to the bank and set up an account for the money. Even the lady who helped us at the bank, gave me her e-mail address and said she would help too. I’m sure everyone will be thankful to you for helping raise money. I will keep track each month on how much I have collected and you can visit and see how much at: http://www.quentinsquest.org You will also be able to learn more about LDS, All Children's Hospital, and Make-A-Wish by visiting my website.
If you want you can send me your picture or name and I will put everyone’s name or picture in an album, so everyone will know you helped. You can e-mail me at: srwaid@tampabay.rr.com. That’s my mom’s e-mail, but she’ll tell me if I get a letter.
Please send the $1 to:
Quentin Waid
14711 1st Avenue East
Bradenton, Fl 34212
If you send a check you can make it out to me or to Central Church of Christ. My church will then deposit the money into the account we have set up. Don’t forget to check the website to see how much we’ve collected. Thank you, thank you and thank you again. I can’t wait until my birthday on 4/20/08 to see what we’ve done.
Sincerely,
Quentin
