Events and Activities : Wellborn Family Benefit Saturday, June 30th

Sometimes we hear about someone in need, and while this family isn't one of our Vinton residents, they are connect to Vinton. Jill, the mother in this story is the sister of Brent Patterson the Chemistry Teacher at Vinton-Shellsburg High School. If you feel led to help this family out, directions are below, but I would encourage you to do what you can, thanks!

Team Wellborn, a group of friends and family, is holding a benefit for James, Jill (formerly Patterson), Brady and Benjamin Wellborn on Saturday, June 30th, 2012. The fundraiser is open to the public and will beheld from 4-7 PM at AdvancedHeat Treat Corp.:

2825 Mid Port Blvd., Waterloo, IA. The benefit will be family-friendly, consisting of games, music, a silent and live auction, food and entertainment. There is no cost to attend, but donations are encouraged, with all proceeds going to the Wellborn family.

Seating will be limited, so please bring a lawn or bag chair.

Those who are unable to attend the event, but still want to help the Wellborns:

A benefit account has been set up at Veridian Credit Union. Please stop by any Veridian branch office, call the credit union: (319)236-5600, or mail a check to: Veridian Credit Union

ATTN:TEAMWELLBORN BENEFIT

P.O. Box6000

1827 Ansborough Avenue

Waterloo, Iowa 50704

Those needing a receipt for tax purposes should donate through the Bumblebee Foundation. Established in 2011, the Bumblebee Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 that was founded in memory of Jarren Donatini, who was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma (liver cancer) at the age of three. Visit www.bumblebeefoundation.org/donate, click the Donate button and specify"Team Wellborn Benefit"in the"Donation Message"section. PayPal and credit card donations are accepted; howeverPayPal donations incura2.9% handling fee and an additional $.30 per transaction.

In addition, we ask that you please keep the prayers and encouragement coming! We invite you to visit(and 'Like') our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/teamwellbornstaystrong and website: www.teamwellborn.com to stay up-to-date with new updates, family pictures and more!

Jill and James were married September 16, 2000. Jill found out she was pregnant July 15th of 2005. She discovered she was having twins in August along with a one in a million diagnosis of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Though her due date was March 24th, she delivered three months early on Christmas Eve in an emergency c-section. Brady John Wellborn was born two pounds, seven ounces and Benjamin James was born one pound, seven ounces. They both spent the next four to six months in Iowa City.Brady got to come home April 28th, 2006 and Benjamin got to come home July10, 2006.

Benjamin was diagnosed with StageIV Hepatoblastoma (liver cancer) on Dec4, 2007 (another one in a million diagnosis with a 15% survival rate). He endured six rounds of chemotherapy to shrink the tumors in his liver and lungs. He became eligible for a liver transplant when his lung tumors were no longer visibleon CT scans. Jill was ableto donate part of her liver to Benjamin on April1, 2008 (James’birthday). After three weeks in the hospital ,they were able to come home. Benjamin was on 22 medications a day, around the clock. A follow up visit showed a 4 mm lung nodule on his CT scan. It was surgically removed and Benjamin received two more rounds of chemotherapy. His scans were clear after the chemo.

Fall and winter were rough with pneumonias, RSV and some mild liver rejections. In December 2009, more lung tumors were discovered and they were surgically removed, followed by another six rounds of chemo. Benjamin's last week of chemo had to be postponed due to the sudden loss of Jill’s mom (May 15th, 2010) to breast cancer. At this point, Benjamin had experienced a total of 14 rounds of chemo, 20 surgical procedures, 2 emergency helicopter flights, 2 emergency jet rides, and 2 emergency ambulance rides to Minnesota. On June 2, 2010 Benjamin had his last day of chemo. Currently he is cancer-free, but still goes to Minnesota every3 months and has blood drawn weekly to monitor his progress.

On Friday, April13, 2012, Jill went into the ER for some speech issues only for them to find a mass in her brain. On Monday, April 23, Jill had a 3-hour surgery to remove this mass. Recent pathology reports confirm it is a Grade four Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer—yet another one in a million diagnosis. Jill will now endure six weeks of radiation with chemotherapyat the same time. Physicians say she will be on chemotherapy indefinitely.

Team Wellborn is a group of friends and family of the Wellborns who have been inspired by the family's strength and faith for years. Jill and James have never asked for anything but our prayers, even though the road has not always been easy. Their positive attitude is contagious. We are dedicated to supporting the Wellborns in anyway we can and invite you to join us! Visit www.teamwellborn.com or www.facebook.com/teamwellbornstaystrongfor more information.

Another story about the event can be seen here...