Donna Cottrell, the MCA of the Marco Island (FL) market Center is a Keller Williams veteran of nine years.  Her husband, Paul, was injured 19 years ago and has undergone 45 operations since the incident. He is currently undergoing tests for throat cancer and has a trachea tube to assist his breathing. On top of all of Paul’s medical problems, Donna had emergency gallbladder surgery in 2011 which was costly due to her high deductible insurance plan. The Cottrell’s were making three hour weekly trips from Marco Island to Miami, for medical appointments. On one trip to Miami, their car broke down and so did Donna.

“I was beside myself and did not know what to do,” said Donna. “I finally called KW Cares.” 

At first, Donna felt her situation was not “big enough” and felt that there were other people with greater need.  “That was my first limiting belief,” said Donna.  “But KW Cares can’t help if you don’t submit the application.”

Donna had to come face-to-face with reality.  With the encouragement of staff from KW Cares, Donna was able to submit the proper documentation for a KW Cares grant.  In just a short time, Donna and Paul received a grant from KW Cares to help with out-of-pocket medical expenses. 

“When we received this grant, it was so much more than a gift of money,” said Donna.  “It was a gift of opening the door to our future and a way to start our dreams again.”  Donna recently started a dream board where she posts pictures of things she wishes to accomplish.

“All we have to do is reach out when in need, which is a difficult thing for people to do when they are at the end of their rope,” said Donna.  “For our KW family, KW Cares is at the end of the rope reaching down to tell us to hold on, help is on the way.” 

Several years ago, Dana Felt of the Media Market Center was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee. Her doctors advised that she needed a knee replacement but as a full-time real estate agent and a single mother, it was difficult for Dana to take the necessary time away from her business to have surgery followed by weeks of rehab. Finally, in July 2012 Dana scheduled the surgery and made arrangements to have her business handled during the weeks needed recovery.

Unfortunately, a mistake was made when the anesthesia was administered and Dana’s heart stopped on the operating table.  It took the team 20 minutes to get her heart pumping again. The doctors speculated that if she survived, she would suffer brain damage and never speak again. 

Dana spent a month in the ICU and another week in rehab. Despite the doctors’ predictions, Dana is now walking, talking, and selling houses.  Dana’s hospitalization and inability to work last summer had a serious impact on her income and ability to pay basic expenses.  In true KW style, her market center held a benefit and raised several thousand dollars to help relieve some of Dana’s financial burden. Dana was awarded a KW Cares grant to assist with out-of-pocket medical and living expenses.  “To be supported this way by an organization at the local and national levels is unique – maybe even unheard of – in corporate life,” said Dana.

In 2011, Reinaldo “Rey” Milian of the Pembroke Pines Market Center was hospitalized for renal failure.  For 16 months following the hospitalization, Rey underwent dialysis three times a week and was in dire need of a kidney transplant. Earlier this year, Rey’s wife, Maria, was tested and found to be Rey’s perfect match to donate a kidney.  On May 17, the couple underwent successful surgeries that were thankfully covered by Medicare.

“My wife and I were so happy to be receiving a second chance,” said Rey.  “Words could not describe the feeling and the joy we felt when we knew she was a positive match.” 

Despite having Medicare coverage, Rey’s out-of-pocket medical expenses became too much for his family to bear.  Rey would be out of work for three months following the surgery.  Since Maria quit her job as a mortgage broker in 2011 to help care for Rey the family had no income while he was recovering from the surgery. The Pembroke Pines Market Center allowed Rey to have six months free office rent and the market center community raised $2,500 for his family. In June, KW Cares awarded Rey a grant to help with his out-of-pocket medical expenses. 

“KW Cares gave us hope that we were going to be okay,” said Rey.  Once Rey received clearance from his surgeon to return to work he joined the ALC and the Culture Committee.  “I feel that I owe so much to KW Cares that I will go to great lengths to give back.”

James ‘Jimi’ Beauston is an agent with the Charleston, South Carolina Market Center and a single dad. In July 2011, he was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a disabling disease that causes scarring or thickening of the lungs and compromises breathing. Because IPF is incurable, the only long term solution is a lung transplant. As the year went on his lungs began to deteriorate and by January 2012, Jimi was using oxygen 24/7 and unable to work.

Jimi’s Team Leader, Matt Walley, reached out to offer help during this difficult time. He told James about Agents Helping Agents, the market center’s local emergency fund, and assistance through the KW Cares grant program. Jimi’s medical bills were becoming overwhelming while he was in the process of being evaluated to receive a lung transplant. Agents Helping Agents raised over $8,000 for Jimi and in June 2012, KW Cares awarded him a grant to help pay out-of-pocket medical and living expenses. Within two weeks of receiving a check from KW Cares, Jimi received the awesome news that a match had been found and he underwent surgery to receive a new pair of lungs. Jimi is doing great and is eager to return to work before the end of the year. “I can’t thank KW Cares enough for all that ya’ll have done for me and my daughter. Keller Williams Realty is one great company,” said Jimi. “I feel blessed to be a part of the Keller Williams Family.”

Sheri’s husband was an agent at the Rockwall (TX) Market Center. Unexpectedly widowed in September 2008, Sheri was not prepared to be the sole supporter of her two sons, 17 year old Charlie and 12 year old Andy. In order to prepare herself to support her children Sheri has enrolled in an Associate Degree nursing program at Trinity Valley Community College. While working part-time, it will take Sheri three years to complete her degree. When her sons are raised and on their own it is Sheri’s goal to return to missionary work and in particular to help provide health care to women. Recently she wrote to us:

I just wanted to let you know I graduated from nursing school! I can’t thank

you enough for the help that enabled me to complete this journey. May the

Lord bless your generosity.

                                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                        Sheri Warren

Carol Fernandes of the Spring Hill (FL) market center was an active ALC member and served as the chairman of her market center’s KW Cares Committee until this past year. In 2004, while at a stop light, she was hit by a car being chased by the police. Her injuries left her bedridden for nearly two years and with three ruptured discs, cracked neck, bladder and joint damage. Due to her injuries, Carol had to sell her spa business which made it necessary for her husband Alfred, to come out of retirement. In 2006, Carol and Alfred had nearly $1 million in medical bills. They moved out of their home and into a mobile home. The downward spiral continued in 2011 when Carol had to have more surgery performed. She had two more surgeries including an interstem implant permanently placed in to correct the first one with little success. “After multiple surgeries, we were still sinking financially,” said Carol. KW Cares gave Carol and Alfred a boost when they provided grant assistance to help pay for her out of pocket medical expenses. “I always believe that the sun will shine tomorrow,” said Carol. “KW Cares made my day shine.” 

Kendra Murphy of the Fayetteville, AR market center and her husband Tommy left home for the softball field where they hoped to have an afternoon of fun, sport, and camaraderie. Little did Kendra know she would end up in surgery later that day.

“A runner trying to beat the throw home tried to correct to avoid hitting me, tried to hurdle over me as I went down low to catch the incoming throw.  As I came up so did his knee into the side of my temple.  Everything was black on one side and there was excruciating pain going through my head. I had a fractured temple, a fractured cheekbone, a fractured orbital socket, along with multiple fractures within those fractures. I had four closings that pulled us through the next couple of months, but by October there was nothing in my pipeline since I had not been able to work all of July, August and part of September. The bills didn’t get paid. The mortgage didn’t get paid. The support for Tommy’s children didn’t get paid. We found ourselves selling things at pawn shops because I didn’t have a backup plan for this emergency. We didn’t have much debt but the amount we did have set us back. Add to that $30,000 in medical bills and it sinks your battleship. My team leader delivered a check from my market center and we received a grant from KW Cares.  I just can’t believe this company does so much for their agents on a level of this nature. I wish every real estate agent could understand the value.  Not just for the grants, but for the value that KW gives you as a whole. I’m so passionate about this company, but after experiencing such love and support I’m beyond passionate for KW, I’m straight up in love.”