Sunshine for Janet Fundraiser - UNO's Restaurant in Suntree (June 6-11)

As a result of complications for diabetes, Janet McCrary is in need of a kidney and pancreas transplant. Her story is noted in previous postings. We are working to raise money for her to the cover the costs of these transplants that are not covered by medical insurance ... and you can help.

UNO's Chicago Grill in Suntree is hosting a fundraiser to benefit Janet McCrary and on behalf of the "Sunshine for Janet" fundraising committee.

UNO's will donate up to 20% of your dine-in or takeout check to this fund.



Valid only from 6 June (Monday) thru 11 June (Saturday) at the UNO Chicago Grill, 8260 Wickham Road, Suntree (just east of I-95 across from the Brevard Zoo).



Just present this voucher to your server ... or tell him/her that you are dining there or taking out to benefit the "Sunshine for Janet" fundraising activity.

Spread the word. Take your wife, husband, significant other, family, office workers out to eat. You will be helping to Save a Life!

Thank you for your support.

Video Segment - Interview of Janet - 7 May 2011

On May 7th, Janet and her parents were interviewed by a family friend, Linda Humphrey, who writes and contributes articles for the Senior Life newspaper. In that interview, Janet also had the privilege to hear from two other recent transplant recipients and friends of Linda's. One was a Jim Davis (a kidney transplant recipient) and a Bill Hahn (a kidney and pancreas transplant recipient).

The information and encouragement and spirit shared was invaluable. Bill Hahn also made a video which I am linking here.

This one, a 5:10 version, Janet McCrary: Waiting on a Miracle, focuses on Janet and her family. It can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N2le3qTaBk

There is another 9:59 version also available on You Tube. It includes additional segments from the interview.

The interview article should be available in the Senior Life newspaper sometime between June 3rd - June 7th. Senior Life newspaper can be found at: all libraries, most CVS stores, and the Senior Life offices in Viera (on Murrell Blvd just off Wickham Rd.) at 7331 Office Park Place, Suite 300, Viera, FL.

Bake Sale April 30th, 2011

Our first fundraiser event was a great success! Many generous people donated their time and talent to the first Sunshine for Janet fundraiser. There were so many yummy baked goods prepared.

We were happy to secure 3 locations to sell our baked goods, as well as one location that allowed us to have a table and a donation "bucket drop". Our thanks go to the following locations willing to help us out in this endeavour to raise money for Janet's double organ transplant and after-care expenses.

Big Lots on Malabar Rd and San Fillipo (Palm Bay)

Ace Hardware in the Atlantic Plaza (across from Satellite High School)

Ace Hardware on 192 (Melbourne)

Publix at Bayside Lakes for the donation "bucket drop" location (Palm Bay)

It was a beautiful day full of love and generosity. On behalf of Janet McCrary and the Sunshine for Janet Committe, we thank you for your generous donations of time, money and baked goods. God bless you for your generosity.

From Janet.....

Just to bring everyone up-to-date I recently was back in the hospital due to severe nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain. This was an especially rough stay. I was in for about 18 days and the first 15 days were extremely tough on me this time. The doctors couldn't seem to determine what was causing all the severe vomiting and pain and nothing they seemed to come up with or prescribe were giving any kind of relief and while all this was going on I some how developed an infection and again the docs didn't know how I got it or even where it was so they just bombarded me with antibiotics. My days were filled with sleeping for most of the day....was definitely not up to eating...no appetite and couldn't keep much down when I did try to eat not even fluids were doing the trick, actually the only thing I would crave was ice....I kinda became addicted to it. So as the days were going by I was becoming more and more discouraged. The doctors were all kind of playing the wait and see game and as each day would pass, with no signs of feeling better, I found myself slipping into a place of darkness and despair. So many tried to keep my spirits up with their visits and well wishes. My mom always at my bedside, we would hang out in my room and watch movies or some TV, she'd make me get up and walk around no matter how badly I didn't want to and would try and give her any kind of excuse to not to....she wouldn't have it and I'm actually glad she didn't give in to me....I needed the exercise if I wanted to get better and stronger. I remember one night when my parents were visiting and my sdad said to me that he hasn't seen me looking so bad....I think he could see the hopelessness I was starting to let myself feel....perhaps on the edge of just wanting to give up....he had a lil chat with me and I remember him telling me I was going to have to really dig deep this time and fight through this and that it will get better and so I did and it did get better. The doctors came up with a plan to go ahead and do a procedure I get about every six months that helps in the digestion of my stomach.....why didn't they do this at the beginning of my hospital stay you ask....it was because it had only been a couple of months since my last procedure and they were thinking it was too early to do it again but I was insistent that they do it again....I was tired of waiting around and I wanted to be home for easter and not still stuck in that hospital room. So so they proceeded forward with the procedure and wouldn't you know it within a couple of days I was feeling so much better....my infection had cleared up and my appetite was slowly coming back and I was eating and keeping everything down so getting home by Easter was looking real good. I was able to go home on the 20th....four days before Easter....YAY! So I'm home and feeling pretty good and I was looking forward to Easter weekend....my boyfriend Luke drove down on friday and got to stay for a few days. Had one of the best weekends in a long time. We went out to dinner and a movie on friday, went to the Melbourne Art Festival on saturday then home for some quality time and even made it to church Easter Sunday. Dinner was delicious and I always feel blessed to spend time with the family. This 'road' is very long and very difficult, both medically and personally....but it's teaching me so much. I am so grateful for all my family members and friends for reaching out and keeping my spirits high.....each one of you hold me up when I am down, pray with me when I am scared, make me laugh when I didn’t think I would ever laugh again and let me ‘be quiet and still’ when that is what I need. If I haven’t told you lately, please know you all are loved, you all are appreciated, and your unconditional support during this time will never be forgotten – ever. ...it means so much. I continue to be awed with everyone's support of me...but most of all I thank God every single day for bringing you all into my life. There are no words that can possibly describe what it means to turn around and see this wall of 'family' standing there ready to do battle for me? It takes my breath away.

Janet Update ... from Bill Conte

My birthday was yesterday and I had many who wished me a Happy Birthday and wished also that all of my dreams would come true. But, it would have been much better if all of my wishes and dreams had indeed come true. I must admit that I had a good time with local and even a long-distance family member here at the house, but there was one local family member missing ... Janet. Her being here would have gone a long way to making my dreams and wishes come true. And to make all of my dreams come true, well, that would have been for all of my family members to have been here, to be happy. I know this blog is supposed to be about Janet, and you may think that all I've talked about thus far is me, but in my mind, not really ... You see, Janet is my step-daughter, but she is really like a daughter of my own. And, she treats me as she would her own father. There is a bond there that transcends or equals any relationship by blood. I missed Janet because, if she were here, she would have remembered my birthday in some special way, like she has for many years ... with a personally written, decorated card. And she probably would have baked or prepared a special dessert or part of a meal for me. It all would have been, you know, just a little something special and personal. (BTW -- As of today, she has been hospitalized for over 2 weeks ... and she did wish me a Happy Birthday anyway from her hospital bed). Did I tell you about Father's Day last year? No? Well, early that Sunday morning we found Janet lying in bed ... somewhat comatose and unresponsive from really low blood-sugar levels. (As sick as she had been for may weeks, she was going to make a special effort on this Sunday to come to church with her mom and me for Father's Day). Well, we couldn't revive her quickly and we called the paramedics. They came and administered to her. After about 30-minutes and as she was coming to, the paramedics were asking her questions to determine her awareness and condition. I was standing at the foot of her bed as the paramedics called to her: "Janet! Janet! Do you know where you are? Do you know what day it is?" We were all silent as she turned her head, looked right at me and with a weak but clearly audible voice said: "Happy Father's Day!" That's just a few examples of who Janet is and what she is all about. As I said earlier, Janet has been hospitalized for over 2 weeks now. She was admitted to the hospital with sever nausea and abdominal pains. A few days ago, a blood test confirmed an infection somewhere in her system. And, about 5 days ago, a gastric emptying test showed that right now she has 0% digestion. And, a few days ago, there was talk of inserting a feeding tube so that she can receive needed nutrition. And, after 2 weeks, it seems that we still do not know the cause of these problems. It is now Sunday afternoon, April 17th, and a beautiful day here in Melbourne, FL. But for Janet it is just another of too may days in the hospital. Would you think that her spirits were low and depression high? Well, yes, they sure have been several times during this hospital stay. But today, she seemed a little bit better. She was tired, sure. She dozed in and out. But I sensed a little bit of difference today. Maybe that was because she is getting the upper hand on beating this infection. Maybe it is because the docs will try one more procedure to try to kick-start her stomach to digest before they resort to the feeding tube. Maybe it is because she knows that she will have to fight, to dig deep within herself ... deeper than ever before and to once again find the strength, courage, and determination to beat this thing ... to recover ... to get healthier and be stable again ... things she needs to do to get her name on the Kidney/Pancreas transplant list. Maybe it's because she is braver than many people I know ... including myself. And maybe that's why I refer to her as 'My Hero". And maybe, just maybe it was the beginning of one of my birthday wishes coming true. Time will tell. Prayers and love and support and good vibes and well-wishes will help too. Please keep them coming. And hopefully in a few days, I can give another updated report telling of how Janet is improving and able to come home. That would fulfill one of my wishes.

From Janet...

Hi this is Janet. I've had a rough time lately but throughout this time it's been uplifing to hear of all the well wishes and prayers from so many people on my behalf. I truly feel blessed and loved. Last week I had my tests/consults with the Florida Hospital Transplant Team and I learned a lot about the Kidney/Pancreas transplant and recieved a lot of positive feed back about making it on "the list". It is a very complicated surgery and a bit scary but I have a lot of people in my corner suppporting me in this decision.

I am beyond grateful and thankful for all those who love me so much. I know a lot of people who want to know how I am doing during this new journey I am on, so I hope to be able to keep everyone updated through this blog. When I am feeling well enough, I will update the blog myself but on those bad days my family will update for me. Stay tuned....this is going to be a wild ride to get to that light at the end of the tunnel and I am very hopeful that it will happen.

Week of March 20th thru March 26th

Janet's case was presented to the Transplant Committee on Wednesday, March 23rd. We have not yet received news as to her acceptance to the Transplant List. We are hopeful and expect to hear something soon. 

Janet is doing ok despite her normal challenges. She is excited for this weekend as she has many family members who have come into town. She hopes to feel well enough for some quality family time.

Our immediate goal is to send out a Facebook Appeal to all friends and family with information on how to donate to Janet's transplant costs. We hope that SUNSHINE FOR JANET goes viral and she receives the donations needed for her transplant and post-tansplant costs. We are working with the National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) to help in our fundraising efforts.

For more information and to make a donation, please go to www.transplants.org/donate/janetmccrary.

1. Click on "Donate Today" under Janet's picture.
2. Fill in the Contribution Information.
3. Below the contribution information, click the radio button "My gift is in honor of the following patient" and type in "Janet McCrary" in the box.

Skipping this step will result in the donation going to the general funds of the NFT and not to Janet. Click "Submit" at the bottom of the page.

Thank you for your generosity!