Category: Philanthropy
Be Beautiful
Jake Bowman
8602 Kelly Lynn Ave
Baton Rouge 70809 United States
3379457665
jnolan@liquidassetsllc.com
Story
www.bellabowman.org
On New Years Day of 2011, Trey and Kim were told that their seven-year-old daughter Bella Bowman was diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumor, an answer to many months of unexplained illness.
Overwhelmed with emotions, fear, and uncertainty about what the future would bring, many questions arose as to what steps to take to embark on this difficult journey. Thus, Bella's Red Dot Story began.
Upon the discovery of the tumor and the decision that surgery was necessary, Trey and Kim explained to Bella that the cancer was like a "Red Dot" that had to be removed. Dr. Allen Joseph and Dr. Kelly Scrantz successfully removed the Red Dot. This was a very risky surgery that came with many possible complications including the inability to breathe, eat, swallow, or walk on her own when the surgery was complete. Her surgery was labeled as a gross total resection. Bella's first words after surgery were, "Is the Red Dot gone?" Ten days later Bella recovered from surgery and was moved to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN then to Jacksonville, FL for proton radiation. Eight months after radiation treatments, Bella developed brain stem radiation necrosis, a rare side effect from radiation treatments. Bella underwent 60 hyperbaric oxygen treatments, chemotherapy treatments, sleep studies, and physical, speech, and occupational therapy from August-December 2011; traveling back and forth from Baton Rouge to Memphis.
Mid December 2011, Bella was returning home from St Jude when she began choking and having difficulty breathing. Kim, Bella's mom, called Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital as they crossed the Louisiana state line. Bella was admitted to this hospital that evening and in less than 48 hours, her ability to swallow and breathe was hindered so much that she was put on a ventilator and admitted to PICU. An MRI showed that she had a stroke, and the team of physicians realized that the radiation necrosis in her brain stem was irreversible and nothing more could be done. Doctors did not know how much time she had left, but wanted to provide her and her family comfort care. Within five days of removing the ventilator, Bella passed away in her daddy's arms and her mommy beside her.
Bella was a courageous and strong eight-year-old little girl who did not fear her battle with brain cancer. Her unique way of communicating to the world was indescribably amazing. She gave belief, hope, courage, strength, and faith to so many. Bella's faith was challenged by a Red Dot; however, she would always say, "Go away Red Dot and don't you ever come back." Although Bella is in heaven, her kind, loving, strong, sweet spirit will continue to be shared with many through her family, friends, and the Bella Bowman Foundation. The unity that Bella created amongst so many will live with us forever.
Timing
Kim and I have something in common that I was unaware of. Her story is entirely too raw, unfortunately, for me. My name is Jake Nolan. I am the Director of Sales and Business Development for Liquid Assets. I met Kim through Liquid Assets as I serviced her account due to her being considered significant now and in the future with Liquid Assets and KEVIN.MURPHY. I am not sure if it is perfect timing or what exactly, but 3 short weeks ago my family and I buried my 36 year old sister. Sandi was diagnosed with the worst form of brain cancer 15 months ago. She left behind 2 children. She fought. We fought. I fought. So. Hard. All of 2020, mid-pandemic, drugs & trials, scans & appointments. All the while, I was working to represent brands like KEVIN.MURPHY. After my sister passed, I felt (still feel) somewhat "empty". I know this is because our lives revolved around her fight literally 24/7. I wish I could keep pushing forward and continue so she would still be with us and her boys but she was not so fortunate.
Coming back to work was needed. I like to "throw" myself into work and I needed to do just that. I still felt (feel) "empty", though. It was due to not having anyone to go home and care for, check on, do so many things she needed or requested, etc. I felt like I HAD to do something. I needed some way to give back. I gained a wealth of knowledge through Sandi's fight so I would love to be a voice for or an advisor of the newly diagnosed and family of. Then the KEVIN.MURPHY ICON award was presented to me by Heather Krutulis and I knew this was it. My first step, at least.
Kim's baby girl, Bella, also had brain cancer. Although she passed from necrosis on her brain stem from radiation done during treatment, Kim and her husband have (and still constantly do!) given back SO much. Things like $75,000 to LSU in honor of the Bella Bowman Foundation to fund research, building a home for familys in the unfortunate position Kim and I, along with many others, were in of the final days of comfort care for our dearly missed ones, etc. This is the Bella Bowman Foundations TENTH year hosting a ball to raise a bulk of the money it extends to the multiple causes that it does.
This is it. This is my calling. Maybe that empty feeling will vanish and be replaced with one of pride.
Thank you for reading my lengthy, well-deserved submission for Kim Bowman and the KEVIN.MURPHY ICON award.
-Jake Nolan
https://kevinmurphy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/BELLA.pdf
https://kevinmurphy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/BELLAFAM.pdf
https://kevinmurphy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/BFOUNDATION.pdf
https://kevinmurphy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/BELLASBALL.pdf
184.178.209.54 | 30/07/2021