Community turns out for Cranston-based organization benefiting short bowel syndrome

By Meri R. Kennedy
Posted 8/29/18

By MERI R. KENNEDY The first annual SBSNE, Inc. Family Day and Car Cruise was held this past Saturday at Oakland Beach in Warwick. Car Cruise was hosted by Cruisin Bruce and vendors such as Endless Beautiful- an art workshop, Anchored Soul RI, Mary Kay,

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Community turns out for Cranston-based organization benefiting short bowel syndrome

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The first annual SBSNE, Inc. Family Day and Car Cruise was held this past Saturday at Oakland Beach in Warwick. Car Cruise was hosted by Cruisin Bruce and vendors such as Endless Beautiful- an art workshop, Anchored Soul RI, Mary Kay, face painting, bouncy house and cotton candy.

Proceeds raised from the event went towards the Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation for Children of New England, Inc (SBSNE) which was founded by Nichole White of Cranston.

White’s program helps individuals and families who are dependent on Nutrition Support, a small monthly stipend to help towards their costs of nutrition. Unfortunately, many health care plans do not cover the lifesaving nutrition; provided to the patient via tubes, PICC Lines, Ports, etc.

There were about 100 -150 people in attendance throughout the afternoon and there were 40 Car Cruise participants including Keith Bailey's 1910 Oakland Model 24 Roadster which is over 100 years old.

“We appreciate everyone who came out to support our cause and program,” said White. “I personally thank everyone who participated in the event including my family and friends, all our volunteers, vendors, donors, car owners, especially Keith Bailey who treated everyone with his beautiful piece of history. Thank you to everyone for your support, in helping us assist families and individuals who need all the support they can get.”

White knows personally about SBS as her son, age 6, relies on TPN for nutrition and fluids.

“This Program is near and dear to my heart and I am proud to have started such an amazing thing; to help those who are chronically medically compromised, with extra funds to help make life just a little easier and take some of the burden away of the nutrition costs,” said White. “Due to loosing most of his small intestine and being diagnosed with SBS, my son Kyrie has been dependent on a feeding tube and IV nutrition most of his life and will continue to be throughout. As well as my husband being dependent on IV nutrition for a short time this past year due to having MS and other GI complications as well.”

Short bowel syndrome is a group of problems related to poor absorption of nutrients. Short bowel syndrome typically occurs in people who have had at least half of their small intestine removed and sometimes all or part of their large intestine removed significant damage of the small intestine poor motility, or movement, inside the intestines. Short bowel syndrome may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how well the small intestine is working.

Many diagnosed with SBS, also have feeding tubes, depend on special formulas and drinks, and blends of real food to sustain because their bodies need the extra help to maintain their nutrition and ultimately, stay out of the hospital.

“I feel for everyone in our shoes, living life on nutrition support, and will continue to do my best to help support them. I truly appreciate everyone else’s support in my efforts to continue to grow this organization, to help more people, and to raise awareness of chronic GI disease,” said White. 

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