Jonathan Cain Official Web Site - Charity: Callie Shaffer 2004

Callie update 2008

Callie is growing and getting stronger. See her here with some of her friends

Callie Shaffer

Callista "Callie" Lynn Shaffer was born 2 months premature on October 31 2002. She has been fighting the effects of craniosynostosis and Pfeiffer Syndrome since birth.

Callie stayed in the intensive Care unit for 7 weeks after she was born and faced many health challenges. After she was released, a week before Christmas, she was hit hard her first year. In January, she had to have surgery to correct the pyloric muscle of the stomach to prevent vomiting. In February came her first head surgery where they removed the top of her skull. In March, they stitched down her tongue and removed a hemangioma on her neck (collection of blood vessels). April came and Callie contracted RSV (a serious respiritory illness), she needed a tracheostomy. Today, due to very small nasel cavities, she still has a trach to help her breathe. In July of 2002 she had her 2nd cranio surgery in which they opened up the back of the skull. This past July, she had some facial work done on her eyes, and they released her tongue. Callie has many more surgeries ahead of her.

Pfeiffer Syndrome, a rare chromosomal disorder, is a condition resulting from premature fusion of the sutures of the skull and deformity of the skull. The skull is unable to grow normally. Bulging wide-set eyes due to shallow eye sockets, underdevelopment of the midface, broad,short thumbs and big toes, dental problems due to high palate and crowded teeth, poor vision and possible hearing loss are just a few of the things Callie faces.

Callie has been doing physical therapy for close to a year now. She learned to walk about 3 months ago. She is so independent and wants to do everything herself. She sits in her high chair and feeds herself, carries around pocketbooks, smiles about everything. She is such a contented, strong child in spite of all she's endured. She is touching lives, as usual, especially her family's . Callie loves music, loves to dance and adores her six year-old big brother Randy. He is wonderful with Callie. Callie loves to go for hikes in the backpack and likes to go to church.

We want to help offset some of the Shaffer's medical expenses. You can do this by purchasing a raffle ticket for any of the fun prizes we have available. If you would like to mail a donation for Callie please email Tracy at a tracy@jonathancain.com

Cards and letters may be mailed to:
Jonathan Cain Web Site
PO Box 1393
Franklin Park, IL 60131

SHAFFER FAMILY UPDATE

The Shaffer family (from our Fall 04 Fundraiser) is doing well. Callie had her 10th surgery this past April 2006. She needed to have a shunt put in to help alleviate some of the pressure in her skull. She came through it great and is back to her normal self. She will be facing surgery #11 sometime this summer. The doctors will be cleaning up some irritated tissue in her windpipe. This will make her less dependent on her trach...and will hopefully help Callie speak for the very first time! Extremely exciting for all who know and love her!

The family wanted all the fans who contributed to this fundraiser to know how grateful they are. The money raised was a much needed blessing. They especially love the package that came from the Reno event. In Sandy's (Mom) words:

"Callie LOVED opening up her box of goodies and so thoughtful gifts. Especially loved the book with notes and pictures."

Please continue to keep this wonderful family in your thoughts and prayers! Callie faces more surgeries in the future. But we know she will ace them as she has the others! We also want to send out our warmest congratulations to the Shaffers, as Callie and Randy's new baby sister Maggie will be making her debut appearance in August! Best Wishes and Congrats to all! :)

CAIN CHAIN OF KINDNESS CONTINUES

We wanted to send out a special THANK YOU to Tim Hudson of Fresno, California. Tim read about Callie here on our site and made a very generous donation to our fundraiser. And then, he went above and beyond! A few months ago, Tim and his softball team, The Thundercocks adopted Callie as their "mascot" of sorts. He took up a collection from his teammates, and yet again made an extremely generous donation to Callie.

Tim, and team, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your generosity is inspirational. We thank you and the Shaffer family thanks you! Good Luck on the remainder of your season!

Tim Hudson is front row center.

Click here to return to the Fundraiser page.