3 Moms form group to raise funds for 2 year old girl
Paris Marchant is a 2 year old girl suffering the affects of two strains of flu that attacked her lungs

This is a fund raiser unlike any held in this area before. Three moms were touched by the story of Paris Marchant, a two year old girl and one of twins, both of whom were struck with critical cases of influenza last February; however, Paris had a double strain of flu which attacked her lungs, shutting them down and forcing her to be flown to Columbia and then to Medical University of SC at Charleston for their ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) . Her doctors had to induce and maintain her in a comatose state for two months and she remained hospitalized for more than four months; where (according to her father, Wayne Marchant) she received “the best care possible, we can not say enough wonderful things about her physicians at MUSC. They and their staff have become like family for us.” Paris is home now but continues to require medical attention for oxygen, feeding tubes and continued recovery, (thanks to MCG for making her home stay possible).
The core organizer, Doris Keefe, is a mom and nurse from the community. “Life as I see all the time in the burn unit at Doctors is special, life can go in a flash and unfinished business that anyone has, things you wanted to do or words you wanted to say can be too late and I see how scared the families are; that fear inside that you can’t even breathe! And sometimes you pray saying ‘please take me not my child, my child has more to offer than me!’ I felt the Lord put in my head to help this family but I don’t know why he chose me. I know it is a hard time for our community and things aren’t getting better. But we all need to be glad that it isn’t us going through this, so glad that we’re willing to do what we can to help this family, because it’s just the grace of God that it isn’t us, and it’s the grace of God that tells us to help them. I called a couple friends of mine (Lynn Thomas and Susie Stewart) who worked with me on school projects and they didn’t hesitate to commit.” The result is a first class community event that will allow the Merriwether Community and Edgefield County Schools to partner for a great cause. “And since Paris’ dad is the assistant principal at Merriwether Middle School, holding the event there seemed right.”
Ms. Stewart has resided in the community for more than 20 years and knows that North Augusta, and particularly the Merriwether Community, is a close nit group of neighbors who still believe in helping one another out. “I am convinced that all the good folks in this community need is to know how to help and then they’ll take it from there. This group of moms is making a way to bring the community together and raise funds for a little girl, and in exchange we’ll provide an afternoon of entertainment and good food. If the situation was reversed, we’d surely want someone to help us. And while there’s nothing the parents I know wouldn’t do to save any one of their children, loosing everything you have just shouldn’t be necessary in a community like ours.” Ms. Thomas is also working with the Marchants on a book that will tell Paris’ story. “When we contacted Mr. Marchant to offer our help, he hesitated at first wishing there was a way we could help other children in the MUSC ward where Paris stayed so long. Even in the midst of his own trouble, he was concerned for others – it just makes you want to do more.” The Marchants have exhausted their health care coverage and have applied for Medicaid but even if they qualify, it will not cover all the expenses. At this point it looks like they are facing a six digit debt and the bills continue to mount.
With the permission of the MMS School Board and the Edgefield County Board of Education, this group of moms has organized a ‘Gospel-N-Games’ Event with an incredible line up. Local musicians will do short sets with gospel or bluegrass music playing all day. Simultaneously there will be games, rides, door prizes, raffles, various competitive events, line dancing lessons and karaoke. For your comfort, there will be canopy style tents and fans strategically located throughout. A Hall of Fame will be open where folks can meet celebrities like sports figures, authors, TV personalities and various other famous folk from the area. If you would like to participate, please contact the group at iloveparismarchant@gmail.com.
Who: Paris Marchant Fund Raiser Committee - Doris Keefe, core organizer
What: Gospel-N-Games
Where: Merriwether Middle School, 430 Murrah Road, North Augusta, SC
When: September 6, 2008 from 2 pm – 8 pm
Why: Fund raiser to ease exorbitant medical expenses of Paris Marchant
Cost: $10 at the gate, covers all rides and entertainment
Raffles are a buck a ticket, and food and tee shirts are separately priced
Contact: iloveparismarchant@gmail.com