David Drake's grandson, Sam, now 6, was the inspiration for Hope Kids

Picture Perfect – Local Photographer
Offers Photos to Benefit Hope Kids Charity
by Lynette Carrington

David Drake is a man of many talents. For twenty-three years he has worked at Kachina Cadillac running the Parts and Service Department. As the Fixed Operations Manager, he helps to ensure things are running picture perfect. As part of his other job, he has a masterful talent in photography which he has turned in to a unique way to help the charity, Hope Kids.

The tagline for Hope Kids is ‘Hope is a Powerful Medicine’. The organization provides a unique support community for children with cancer and other life-threatening medical conditions. Hope Kids provides ongoing events and activities for these children and their families (at no charge) while driving home the message that hope can be a powerful message. The message of ‘Hope’ is one that Drake learned first-hand when some years ago, his six-week-old grandson, Sam, was diagnosed with Neutropenia (also known as Kostmann’s Syndrome), a very rare condition that leaves the patient’s immune system almost defenseless against viruses and bacteria. Little Sam beat the odds and, after two bone marrow transplants (the first one failed), he is now free from his disease. But the fight wasn’t easy and it deeply affected the entire family.

Over the course of the two bone marrow transplants, Sam’s mother lived at the hospital with Sam for ten months. David’s wife, Pat went to Seattle to assist the family during the difficult ordeal. “We learned so much about what these families go through with a long term illness,” Drake explained. Out of living through that experience, he and the family sought a way to support families that were going through similar situations. He then became involved with helping to support Hope Kids by selling prints of his exceptional nature-related photos at www.photosforsam.com.

“I’ve always been a photographer. I started in the Marine Corps,” stated Drake. He has traveled extensively around the world and has captured some amazing images. The most popular images in his portfolio are listed at www.photosforsam.com and are available for sale. “One-hundred percent of proceeds benefit Hope Kids. We pay for all postage, shipping and supplies,” he explained. Some of the most striking images available include a hunting fox playfully diving in to the snow, a stealth tiger, breath taking shots from Yellowstone Park and rich photos from Antelope Canyon. The images are unforgettable, much like the children and families that benefit from the exceptional work of Hope Kids.

In addition to holding special events for children faced with life-threatening illnesses, Hope Kids grants specially-tailored wishes that are designed to promote deeper relationships and friendships. There is also the HopeCommunity comprised of children and their families. Children who are newly diagnosed, are in the midst of treatment or who are now cancer free get involved in each other’s lives. Perhaps nothing brings more hope to a child battling disease, than to see another child who has won their fight against the same illness. Sam falls in to the latter category.

Little Sam will turn seven in June. He is being homeschooled, rides his bike and is completely healthy. “He just finished taking wrestling lessons,” explained his doting grandfather. Drake explained that only about 20 percent of children diagnosed with Kostmann’s Syndrome reach the age of three and he knows how blessed they are that Sam beat the odds. “Now he’s just a healthy little boy,” said Drake of his grandson. Learn more about Hope Kids at www.hopekids.org and purchase Drake’s photos at www.photosforsam.com.

 

YMCA Grand Opening

The East Valley YMCA will be hosting an official re-grand opening of the new YMCA with a ceremony that will unveil the official name of the new YMCA on Saturday March 6 at 10 a.m.

“The Ross Farnsworth East Valley YMCA” is fantastic community collaboration with A.T. Still University, United Cerebral Palsy, Phoenix Thunderbirds Charities the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority and the YMCA.

Thousands will be able to enjoy sports, healthy lifestyles, swimming lessons programs through the usage of the YMCA. “This YMCA will be able to serve the communities of Mesa and Gilbert for years to come” says Ross Farnsworth Chairman of the East Valley YMCA Capital Campaign, after all the Mesa family YMCA has been serving our community for the past 54 years”.

The YMCA new members will be able to save $100 off of some memberships and those who join will receive a $50 Bashas’ gift card and all of those who fill out an interest card will be eligible for $1,000 Bashas’ gift card.

The YMCA is located at Recker Rd. and Baseline in Mesa at 1807 S. Sunview Dr. in 85206. The YMCA is located on the campus of A.T. Still University.

For more information, call 480-649-9622 or visit www.valleyymca.org/eastvalley.