Monday, March 11, 2013

AND been praying for - it seems endlessly, Theo.




I have known and loved Brant Menswar since we collided at Greenbelt when he played with his band and we hung out.........

AND been praying for - it seems endlessly, for his son Theo.
I share this powerful scary deep human spiritual reality - with you .......


Friends, community pull together for benefit concert to aid ill Manchester teen

 
By DOUG ALDEN
New Hampshire Union Leader

MANCHESTER - It wasn't just a song that was dedicated to 15-year-old Theo Menswar to mark his intense battle against a rare blood disease; it was an entire concert.

"He's very humbled by it," said Theo's father, Manchester native Brant Menswar. "He does not view himself as a hero. He's just fighting for his life and he's fighting because he doesn't have a choice."

British musician Martyn Joseph headlined a benefit concert Friday night at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, hours after Theo's 11th surgery in 15 days at a hospital. All proceeds were to go toward the cost of treating Theo for myleodysplatic syndrome, a condition recently battled by "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts. The concert raised $6,400. That was added to $1,600 received pledged earlier for a total of $8,000 raised.

He had a bone marrow transplant in August and a series of life-threatening complications in the months that followed.

"It's been one battle after another," Menswar said.

Brant Menswar grew up in Manchester, and his father, Ted, was a longtime baseball coach at Manchester Memorial High School. Brant was a baseball prospect until a shoulder injury ended his career, turning him to music. He met Joseph at THE GREENBELT festival in England, and they became friends. .

Brant said it had probably been a few years since he spoke to Joseph, and he was touched to hear Joseph would be playing the benefit after getting a call from St. Anselm's political professor Dale Kuehne, a friend of the family. 

Kuehne organized the event, getting the NHIP to provide the venue for free and several friends in the music industry to take care of putting on the show. 

"It's just real cool to be a part of it and have everybody pitch in. Nobody comes to me and says 'You've got to give me this' or 'You've got to give me that.' It's 'How can I help,'" Kuehne said. Donors had already contributed $1,600 in advance of the concert, and he hoped the contributions would continue afterward as more people heard about Theo's fight. 

Kuehne said the event was being recorded in HD video to send to Theo in his Orlando hospital room.

"I think he's going to be blown away," Brant said. "He's such a fan of music."

The package to Theo will also include greetings and well wishes from U.S. Sens. Kelly Ayotte and Jeanne Shaheen and President Obama. Boston Bruins forward Rich Peverley also donated an autographed jersey. 

Since Theo's bone marrow transplant, the new blood cells have been attacking Theo's own cells, preventing his body from generating the new cells he needs to beat the condition.

Brant said Theo has survived several scares, including the loss of 7 liters of blood in 24 hours. After that, the blood showed up in his lungs and doctors had to intubate him for five days. 

Brant said his son was not pleased to hear the doctor say the teen wouldn't be able to walk for a month. A week later, Theo showed up the doctor up by using a walker and getting himself to the nurse's station and back. 

"He felt like he's already experienced a miracle here, and he could have another," Brant said. "He's already beaten something that they told him he couldn't - twice."

For more information, go to www.donationto.com/Theo-Fund




UPDATE

THEO UPDATE 3/10: 

Friends and family...it has been an extremely difficult morning for us. 

We found out the fungus is not only still there...but it has now got into the blood vessels. 

This is the worst case scenario we have been praying against. 

The doctors feel like they have done all that they can and now it is up to the drugs and prayer. Theo has had the most difficult morning of his journey. He wants to give up. He doesn't want to live like this. He basically said his goodbyes to us all this morning. 

As you know, restoring his hope is our number one priority. We have heard so many stories of people coming back to Jesus because of Theo and his strength. It is now time for us to carry him. Even though he is the one that is sick...in a strange way he has carried us all up to now. So Emi and I ask that you pray aloud and with others. Share this status as much as you can. 

From our friends at Leichhardt Uniting Church - Evening Service in Australia to Sharad Nirmal in India to our friends in Europe and beyond. To our dear friends of different religions and our friends who don't believe in any God at all...we are asking that you come together in community and lift Theo up. 

When you are faced with losing your child...you will do anything to save them. We have seen miracles already...we need another one to save our sweet boy. We have placed Theo in God's hands...but we want him here with us. We know that might not be God's will...but it is honest and where we are at. As I wipe the tears from my eyes...Let us shout from the mountaintops, whisper in the darkness and hold each other's hands and be still together. We believe that Love always wins...praying that love saves our son. 



- Brant & Emily Schorr Menswar