January 2013 - Grace United Methodist Church

Grace United Methodist Church
5407 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21210-2024
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Address service requested
This issue mailed December 17th
DATED MATERIAL
PLEASE RUSH
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BALTIMORE, MD
PERMIT NO. 642
Dear Members of the Grace Church Family, [letter condensed because of space]
I wanted to send the Gilbert family’s tremendous gratitude for your support over the last several years. As you may be
aware, one of our three sons, Grayson, is the only 17-year pediatric pancreatoblastoma survivor on the planet. . . .he still
remains confident that these things are but “bumps in the road” and fights every day to remain positive in his effort to help
others.
We continue to live on the edge since losing my job in late 2008, but I have been working on my own with my own firm,
Commercial Brokerage Group Inc. Your compassionate support has helped us in so many ways--spiritually, mentally,
financially and physically. When Grayson has been hospitalized, someone from the clergy has always given time to visit and
provide the spiritual and mental support. . . . The remarkable fact about Grayson has been that even when his life is
threatened. . . ., he makes every effort to try to help others fighting chronic illnesses. I have learned so much as a father
from his tolerance and good will.
Grayson has just received approval for his 501C3 tax exempt foundation called the “Inspirational Medicine
Foundation,” which is his effort to connect chronically ill patients with their heroes through social media. He has designed
what he would like to call the “Wellness Walk,” which is a designated walking area within a hospital, in which patients can
walk and be entertained by his “information tube” and skyline window sights. Patients and families can walk together, learn
more about the hospital or city, and be entertained by visual effects and also learn about local transportation. restaurants,
and places of interest.
Grayson's latest surgery on his liver and digestive tract was very difficult. . . . After the surgery was completed, Dr.
Okolo came out and stated that “by the Grace of God" he believed he had “found the culprit." He told us that an
anastomosis in his liver was completely closed and that it was a MIRACLE that they were able to find it. . . . He stated that
he truly believed that because of our visit to the Jesus Christ statue asking for God’s guidance in helping his hands be steady
and his procedure to be precise, that his team had been able to be successful. . . . He pressed his hand together and bowed
his head, stating that he truly believed that God's hands were present in the success of the team at the operating table.
Grayson is in his last semester of his Junior Year at Towson University, which is a remarkable feat. He deals with
significant pain every day, mostly without complaint. . . . We continue to fight through so many difficult issues, but because
people like you have been there for us, we remain humble and thankful to be alive and part of this great family.
Sincerely, Steve (Gilbert)