By By JOHN DILMORE JR. Publisher
So reads a message posted on an internet care-page kept by the family and friends of five-month-old Rebecca Ann Moore, who has spent much of her young life so far in hospitals.
The sentence is in response to support the community has shown since Bill Thallemer, a friend of the Moores, pledged to use his skills as a marathon runner to help out in this time of need.
Thallemer, of Brewton, will engage in a 50-kilometer (35-mile) run between Brewton and Atmore, beginning at Jefferson Davis Community College's (JDCC) Brewton campus and ending at the Atmore campus.
The run will take place Monday, May 31.
Along the way, Thallemer hopes to raise money to help defray the enormous medical costs the Moores have incurred.
Rebecca Ann, the daughter of Thad and Leigh Moore, of Brewton, has a hemangioma, which is much like a birthmark, that has at times restricted her airways. Treatments in Boston and Mobile have been largely successful, but very expensive.
People who want to help out can participate in the Run for Rebecca Ann in two ways. They can sponsor Thallemer on a per mile basis as he runs from Brewton to Atmore, or they can make a lump sum donation to the cause.
Tax deductible contributions can be sent to: Run for Rebecca Ann, c/o Banktrust of Brewton, P.O. Drawer 69, Brewton, AL 36427.
Brewton attorney Thad Moore, Sr., who is Rebecca Ann's grandfather, said that the family is confident the infant will get to come home soon. He also said that the support the community has shown for Rebecca Ann has been much appreciated.
Moore said that he's hardly been able to go anywhere without someone asking him how Rebecca Ann is doing. Of Thallemer's gesture, Moore added, "It shows what good friends Bill and Stacy (Thallemer) are," Moore said. "You really don't know how to react to it – it's such a wonderful thing."
Running such a long distance will be nothing new to Thallemer – he's an avid runner who's completed in 17 marathons.
Rebecca Ann is also the grandchild of Earl and Becky Lambert of Brewton.