Money Pours in as Girl Falls Ill (Pray for Hope)

Charlotte Observer ^ | Dec. 24, 2003 Christmas Eve | MELISSA MANWARE

[Between the Lines]

Man gives $100,000; family skips trip, donates $5,000.

As a 12-year-old with bone cancer fell gravely ill this week, people in the Carolinas rushed to help make her wish come true.

One man brought a certified check for $100,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on Tuesday. He asked to remain anonymous.

Instead of asking for something for herself, Hope Stout asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western North Carolina to grant the wishes of the other 155 children on the agency's list.

The organization hopes to raise $1 million by mid-January to grant wishes for the children, who suffer from life-threatening illnesses.

At the end of day Tuesday, $300,000 had been raised.

Chuck Coira, a member of the Make-A-Wish executive board, said Hope's cancer has spread through her body. Just this week, she has become very sick.

"(Hope's family) has been waiting for a miracle," he said. "They told me that miracle might come in another way than they had expected. It might be that 155 other children and their families are touched by Hope."

Hope was at home with her family on Tuesday.

"She is to the point now where what she needs most is everybody's prayers," he said.

Hope's story appeared in Friday's Observer, and radio stations picked up on it. Since then, donations have poured in.

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson donated four playoff tickets, which the foundation auctioned for $15,000. Children gave their allowance. A family scheduled to leave for Disney World on Monday canceled their trip and donated $5,000.

The foundation hopes to raise some of the money through the sale of "Hope charms," sterling silver stars inscribed with the word "Hope." They cost $10 and are available online at www.ncwish.org and through Make-A-Wish.

"It's been remarkable," Coira said of the outpouring. "We will grant Hope's wish."

For more details please visit: Celebration of Hope or Make a Wish Foundation or call (877) 677-9474.

[Between the Lines]

What Hope needs most is our prayers.

What Hope wants most is our help for others like her.

[kayak]

Praying for Hope!

[I got the rope]

Praying and bumping.

[Pegita]

+

[Texagirl4W]

Prayers here for Hope and her family.

[trussell]

Prayer ping.

Prayers for Hope.

kayak-thank you for pinging me.

Blessings,
trussell


If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

[Allegra]

What an angel she is and what an inspiration!

Prayers coming for Hope.

[glock rocks]

I'm stunned.

prayers for this amazing child, Hope.

[Fawnn]

Prayers lifted for Hope....

[Quix]

LORD GOD, TOUCH HER WITH YOUR TOUCH IN AN OBVIOUSLY YOUR TOUCH WAY. Send people who know how to pray the prayer of faith to clear her body of all affliction health-wise and every other wise, in Jesus' Name.

And, Lord, may the other 155 be healed by your stripe; the power of your Blood and Spirit, too.

At least make sure that the donations reach double the target, if at all possible.

[JRandomFreeper]

Prayers lifted.

/john

[TexasCowboy]

Thanks for the ping, glock rocks.

This is, indeed, an amazing child, filled with God's love.
She's laying up her treasures in Heaven.

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Mt. 6:21

Thank you, dear Lord, for creating people like this.

[blackie]

Amen!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[ChefKeith]

What an amazing girl! Prayers to You Hope.

I could use a few Prayers Myself over here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1046214/posts?page=3

[Eaker]

What a wonderful girl!!!!!

If people were more like her the world would be so much more of a wonderful place!!!

Let's get those prayers out with all of God's speed!!!

M E R R Y

C H R I S T M A S

A L L

[billbears]

Prayers lifted up for Hope.

[MissAmericanPie]

Hope is in my prayers. May God bless and heal her.

[austingirl]

Prayers on the way for Hope and all who need them this holiday season.

[BlessedBeGod]

Prayers on the way!