Christmas With Us 2015 Final Nominees

Thanks to J & R Vacuum & Sewing, many business sponsors, and all of you, we have our finalists for the 2015 Christmas With Us. 

We received many nominations throughout the past weeks but have narrowed it down to five. All are from the Bismarck-Mandan area and are deserving of an extra special gift this holiday season. Take a moment to read through the following five nominees then cast your vote!

Nominee One:

Nominee One is one of my best friends and this year she tried to commit suicide. Nominee One has PTSD for her time that she served as a Combat Medic in the Army. She is such a wonderful person and she often hides her struggles behind her great personality. I love her to death. She is a single momma going to school. I think she deserves this because she is such a great person and she deserves to know that we are here for her and love her so much. Some people need a pick me up now and then I hope this can be hers.

Nominee Two: 

On July 1, 2015, Nominee Two was blessed with the arrival of a sweet little boy. He was born at 27 weeks and weighed 1 lb. 15 oz. and was 13 1/2 in. long. He was born with Wet Lung Disease and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and requires oxygen around the clock. As a result, he has several other life threatening conditions. Their son's medical team in Bismarck determined that his needs far surpassed their ability to effectively treat him. This ultimately led to his transfer from Bismarck to the Colorado Children's Hospital in Denver by air ambulance. At this point, Nominee Two and her husband have been informed that he may possibly be in the Colorado Children's Hospital for a year while they treat and manage this very complex case. Nominee Two's husband is self-employed and everyday he spends with their son jeopardizes his own business and income. Nominee Two, who has been able to carry the benefits, is on her second round of leave which is now non-paid. Facing a year of hospitalization in Colorado will now only increase the overwhelming financial pressure on this new family from ever mounting medical bills, travel expenses and loss of income. Nominee Two and her husband are so grateful for everyone who has joined them on this journey through prayers and unexpected acts of love. These devoted parents are pouring out everything they have so that their little boy will one day be healthy and back home in Bismarck.

Nominee Three:

Nominee Three is a dental assistant in the Bismarck-Mandan area. Her 2nd child was born with several birth defects and has required many surgeries during her young life. Nominee Three also found out this year that she has breast cancer. So this brave young lady at the age of 27 is fighting cancer at the same age I was. While she is fighting Breast Cancer she is taking care of 2 children, one of them who has several birth defects and is undergoing surgeries. She is a brave young lady and deserves a break this Christmas.

Nominee Four:

Nominee Four's daughter who is 2 years old was diagnosed with a brain tumor, DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) on March 25. As of today, DIPG is incurable and inoperable. Nominee Four is one of our preschool teachers and she comes to work everyday not knowing if this will be the last day, week or month that she will spend with her daughter. Her strength, courage and smile, although seen on the outside, is hiding fear and worry. She wonders as each holiday passes if this will be the last one. She gives everything to be the best mom and teacher and truly deserves to be considered for this gift as she is a true gift to our school, her preschoolers, and her own three children. Thank you!

Nominee Five:

Nominee Five was diagnosed with Signet Cell Cancer, a stage III Colon Cancer, in 2013. It is very rare and aggressive. He had major surgery and chemotherapy. He went into remission and was all clear in late 2014. They had a third member join their family during this time of relief, a baby boy. Unfortunately, he had reoccurring symptoms and again underwent a major colon resection. This time the tumors had spread to his pelvic region. They went to a cancer center in Texas for help, but no trial therapies are available to him. He has since been put in hospice and the daily chemotherapy regimens have come to an end. They are spending all the family time together that they can. He has been a great neighbor and friend! He and his wife have always been there to lend a hand in time of need. Now they need a helping hand. Please help Nominee Five make this Christmas a little brighter by choosing them for this wonderful contest.

These five nominations were chosen from the many sent to us by a panel of judges. Now it's your time to vote! Vote for which nominee you believe is most deserving below.