BRANT'S STORY

At the young age of 11, Brant had already demonstrated an incredible generosity of heart and spirit. Brant first came to CHOC when he was eight years old after experiencing cardiac and respiratory arrest due to complications from severe asthma. His sister and father performed life-saving CPR before he was rushed to the hospital. During his stay at CHOC, Brant gained more than continued life, he gained a special purpose. Dr. Anas, the Medical Director of CHOC's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, advised a group of medical residents to remember Brant's name, because he was going to do something very special with his life. Dr. Anas's prediction planted a seed for Brant, inspiring him to seek out ways to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Inspiration struck while cleaning out his room! Brant discovered he had a great number of books he no longer read. When Brant's mom, Lisa, suggested he see if their neighbors could enjoy them, he learned that they too had many books they no longer used. Brant was determined that his books be made available to children who could benefit from them.

Soon afterward Brant became aware of President Bush's challenge to school age children to establish programs honoring victims of September 11th as part of the national "Points of Light" philanthropy campaign. Brant met with his principal at school to propose his idea for what became the "Read All Over" program honoring Deora Bodley of San Diego, a passenger of Flight 93 that tragically crashed down in Pennsylvania. "Read All Over" provides used books for new teachers in need of classroom libraries, dialysis centers where patients wait for long hours during treatments and continues to expand its reach.

This year Brant will take part in the CHOC Kids' Cards program for a second time with a snowman holiday card and the first-ever Hanukkah Kids' Card. He dedicated his first card, a fishing snowman, to the fireman who saved his life and is also an avid fisherman. Brant says, "Kids' Cards is really fun and I like to do them because all of the profits from them are donated to CHOC."

Brant received a small gift for his Kids' Cards artistry and used it to help purchase obedience training lessons for his dog Perci, a Bichon Frise, to participate in the CHOC Pet Therapy program. As a sufferer of severe asthma, he was unable to receive the benefits of the pet therapy program during his stays at CHOC. Percy is hypo-allergenic and Brant thought he'd be a good pet therapy dog because everyone could see him,? regardless of their illness.

CHOC holds a special place in Brant's heart because, "it's not like an ordinary hospital because they have pet therapy dogs and other fun things. You can have fun while you're here instead of just laying down all the time."