Thank you for kindness, caring

To the editor:

We would like to thank the community for its support of Sam Allred.

Sam had the opportunity to be an advocate for those with kidney disease by going to Capitol Hill on Oct 5, 2010 with the Nephcure Foundation. Being an advocate is a good match for Sam, as he has been struggling with a kidney disease himself. Sam knows the importance of getting funding for research for debilitating kidney diseases and hopes for a cure.

Prior to his trip to Capitol Hill, Sam was engaged in fundraising for his trip. Sam sold copies of his book “Opening Hearts” and Papa Murphy’s pizza cards. We appreciate the community’s response and willingness to help Sam raise the needed funds for airfare, transportation and hotel expenses. We were truly overwhelmed with the goodness and kindness of many people.

In hindsight, we should have had supporters sign in a book with their email addresses so that we could again thank them for their support as well as report back to them what we feel like was gained from the trip. But we just didn’t think of it. So, this is our attempt to again say thank you and tell you a little of what we felt so good about the trip. Here is our list of a few things we felt were very fruitful.

1. This was an amazing experience for Sam to go to Capitol Hill and build a relationship with Congressman Don Young and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and share what it is like to have a kidney disease. Sam had nine appointments meeting with other officials, which was a very full day. Sam will be keeping in touch with Alaska’s representatives and other state representatives.

2. Sam was able to connect with other families that are battling kidney disease. Sam had the opportunity to meet another boy, from Alabama, who has the same rare disease as he has. This was a first for both boys to meet someone who actually has the same disease, because it is very rare. This was an amazing experience for the boys, as well as the moms, especially since Sam has been dealing with his kidney disease for nine years and the other boy is 5 years old and diagnosed two years ago. It is an opportunity for us to support a family that is adapting to life with challenges of illness.

3. Sam was able to work for the Nephcure Foundation while in Washington, D.C., by shooting some video that will help raise awareness and support for kidney disease. Over the next few weeks, Sam will be shooting more video here in Alaska to add to the project, and then these videos will be launched on YouTube.

4. The educational aspects of the trip were great. Sam was able to tour the White House, see the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, The Holocaust Museum, The Smithsonian Museum, the play “Les Miserable,” Hershey’s in Pennsylvania and some sights in New York.

Again, thank you so much for the support! It makes us feel proud of our hometown to be surrounded by so many people who are kind, compassionate and who care.

Angela Allred

Sam Allred