ROCKINGHAM – The efforts of over two months’ worth of work came to fruition for the Lyerly family on Saturday, March 17th.
As it was his first birthday, Hunter Lyerly “celebrated” by accompanying his parents, James and Kim, to the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) and UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.
If you are new to this saga, it may seem strange that a mom and dad would take their toddler on such an excursion. Well, let me tell you a story.
One year ago, this same family was suffering through what many would consider to be the worst possible anxiety: their newborn son was only hours old but was about to die. In fact, as a result of having both of his lungs collapse, little Hunter Lyerly technically DID die – he actually “flatlined” at one point during this terrible nightmare.
But through the grace of God and the magnificent workings of medical personnel at FirstHealth Moore Hospital initially and UNC Memorial Hospital shortly thereafter, Hunter basically became a “miracle baby”; he not only survived this traumatic event, but today is a thriving, ebullient little boy.
His parents, James and Kim, being ever so grateful for the tremendous help and support that they received from the staff members at both UNC Hospital and RMH, were determined to “give back” to those who had been so good to them and, of course, little Hunter.
So they went on a mission. Kim had noticed that there were many specific items and supplies that both the hospital (the neonatal and pediatric sections in particular) and RMH were constantly using and, consequently, finding themselves in short supply of such.
Through the assistance of family and friends, the Lyerlys proceeded to garner donations of cash, cleaning supplies, foodstuffs, and other sundry items that seemed to be required on a continuous basis by both UNC Hospital and RMH. The owners of Twisted Treats, Chris and Ashley Turner, and other family and friends such as J.R. Cottle and Rusty Edwards were all highly instrumental in making the H3O Challenge a huge success.
One set of parents who immediately benefitted from the efforts of the Lyerlys and the generosity of Richmond County citizens was Cody Mullins and Angel James. According to Kim Lyerly, their baby Brayden has been a patient at UNC since his birth 7 months ago. He has undergone two heart surgeries during that time but is doing well; Cody and Angel remain hopeful of bringing Brayden home soon. In fact, home is right here in Richmond County. Kim and James presented them with a gift of $450 cash from the proceeds of Hunter’s H3O Challenge.
”It was absolutely amazing to go and give back Saturday,” said Kim. “We had a few moments, one in particular when we got to the hospital and they printed off my visitor’s pass from where I stayed up there with Hunter … it was just a special time of reflecting.”
Another special moment was experienced by Kim and James when they were met at the hospital by the nurse who was Hunter’s primary caregiver during his stay at UNC; Kerry Callahan is directly credited by the Lyerlys for having gone over and beyond the call of duty throughout the duration of their traumatic experience a year ago.
Altogether, after two months of steadily working to collect donations, Kim and James Lyerly were able to provide UNC Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill with a total of $850 cash, $825 in gift cards, and 7 “huge totes” of needed items.
Kim reiterated just how accommodating and supportive the RMH staff had been while the Lyerlys were staying at that facility, noting how good it felt to make this delivery a year later. “The Ronald McDonald House was overjoyed with excitement, saying they were in dire need of many items donated.”
But certainly not as “overjoyed” as Kim and James were last April when they finally realized that, thanks to the work of the Lord and the wonderful medical personnel at FirstHealth Moore and UNC hospitals, they would be bringing their little boy home to lead a normal, healthy life.
And it was probably THAT image that motivated so many citizens of Richmond and surrounding counties to donate money, items, etc. to the cause of the H3O Challenge.
So what better way to spend your first birthday than to accompany your parents as they “repay” the very people who ensured that you would be here to celebrate it?
While he may not remember all of this in the years to come, Hunter Lyerly will no doubt know of all of the goodness that was made evident by his presence in this world.
Good job, little man! Sometimes it takes a child to remind us that the Lord really DOES work miracles.
