4-Year-Old from Huntsville, Alabama Sawyer Taylor Selected as 2024 National Ambassador of Hydrocephalus Awareness for Incurable Brain Condition

Huntsville, AL- “Your son either has a brain tumor or best-case scenario, he may have Hydrocephalus.” That was what a doctor told Kyla Taylor at her son Sawyer’s 4-month checkup in 2020. After confirming Hydrocephalus was the diagnosis, Mom, Dad & Sawyer packed up their car and drove to Tennessee’s Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital for brain surgery. Because of Covid-19 protocols, Sawyer’s father wasn’t allowed in and spent the entire time in their car and parking garage.

Sawyer was born at 31 weeks at 5lbs and 15oz. Thankfully, he did not require any oxygen, as he was able to breathe on his own. However, Kyla was concerned that Sawyer’s forehead was bulging, and had almost a square shape to it. Her concerns were dismissed, and everything would be fine. After being discharged and having a pediatrician visit a few days later, Kyla once again inquired about Sawyer’s forehead, which now seemed worse, but again was told there was nothing to worry about. As days and weeks went by, Sawyer’s head circumference was getting bigger and symptoms were starting to present themselves in addition to the continued head growth, until finally, a doctor told Kyla “Your son either has a brain tumor or best-case scenario, he may have Hydrocephalus”, and Sawyer’s journey began.

Sawyer was selected as one of two children to serve as this year’s “National Ambassador of Hydrocephalus Awareness”, for the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, to help raise the level of awareness and education about Hydrocephalus in the United States. Sawyer will represent the boys, while 7-year-old Ellery Mendez, from New Jersey, will represent the girls.

Sawyer loves books and playing outside, but his biggest passion lies with Dinosaurs. Sawyer loves dinosaurs and can properly name and identify literally every single one, including his favorites Brachiosaurus, pachycephalosaurus, triceratops, stegosaurus, ankylosaurus and T-Rex.

Sawyer’s Mom Kyla shared her thoughts about her son being named the National Ambassador of Awareness for the Hydrocephalus Community; “Sawyer is absolutely our little hero, and we are honored at the potential of him being a hero to others as well.”

6-Year-Old Alabamian Lillian Alberts Selected as 2022 National Ambassador of Hydrocephalus Awareness for Incurable Brain Condition

Lily was born July 14, 2015 with her twin brother James. Her parents received the news at their anatomy scan that not only did Lily’s twin have Spina bifida, but both twins had congenital hydrocephalus. At three days old, she along with her brother received their first VP shunt placement. At ten days old Lillian got to come home with her brother and begin learning and growing. There was a slight bump in the road at seven weeks old, when Lily had her first shunt malfunction, which ended up being a 20 day hospital stay with two infections and four surgeries.

Thankfully Lily has had no issues with her shunt since! She has overcome much, including being diagnosed with epilepsy and dealing with some physical challenges. Yet through the help of the Drs and specialists at Children’s of Alabama, Early Intervention, Therapists, teachers, friends, and family, Lily has thrived and become an energetic, fun loving 1st grader.

HARTSELLE, AL (WAFF) –
The Hartselle Police Department gave because they didn’t shave.

Officers put the razors away for “No-Shave November” to raise more than $3,000 for the Alabama Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation.

Their inspiration is 3-year old Reagan Roberts. She suffers from the condition. And she’s the daughter of Hartselle Officer Kel Roberts and his wife, Danielle.

“It’s been heart warming to know that they could come together and serve us as a family, as a foundation, and most of all, for our daughter,” Danielle said.

You won’t see the officers with beards for awhile. They are against Hartselle PD policy… except during No-Shave November.

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The Hartselle Police Department raised $3,070 with a No Shave November fundraiser for the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation.

This was the second year for the HPD to participate in a No Shave November fundraiser. Last year’s fundraiser benefitted Crisis Services of North Alabama and collected $2,065.50.

Sgt. Kel Roberts was the one to suggest the fundraiser benefit the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation this year. His 3-year-old daughter Reagan was born with hydrocephalus. She has already had three brain surgeries and has a shunt in place.

Each participating officer was allowed to waive the no-facial-hair policy if they raised at least $100 for the organization. Eleven officers competed to see who could earn the most money and who could grow the best beard.

The grand prize was a 12-gauge HNR Pardner pump shotgun supplied by Hartselle’s Walmart.

Roberts was the overall winner with $1,210 worth of donations. He is deferring his prize to the next competitor Ofc. Chip Reynolds, who was second with $455. Ofc. Michael Holiday was third with $250.

Roberts said he and his wife were overjoyed about the amount the department raised.

“I am just extremely excited, tickled really, that we met our goal of $3,000,” Roberts said. “We knew that this goal was a little high compared to last year, especially since we had less officers participating this year, but it really shows how everyone pulled together and did their part.”

Roberts said he was very proud of the participation of his fellow officers.

“The funds they were able to raise shows a lot about this department,” Roberts said. “I’m really proud to be a part of this department. They are really a great group of people.”

Roberts’ wife Danielle accepted the check from the HPD on behalf of the Alabama chapter of the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation Tuesday.

Roberts and his family were very glad to be able to spread hydrocephalus awareness to their community.

“It’s not even about the money to us,” Roberts said. “We are so thankful for the generous donations from businesses and individuals from the community, but we are also thankful that everyone is helping us spread the word. Our community now knows more about hydrocephalus, and that knowledge is helpful. It really means a lot to our family but also to hydrocephalus research and technology to put towards a cure.”

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The Hartselle Police Department raised $3,070 during its second annual No Shave November fundraiser.

Proceeds will go to the Alabama chapter of Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation. Hydrocephalus is a condition that causes an excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluid to collect in the brain.

The most common treatment for the incurable condition is a shunt that drains fluid from the brain into another part of the body where it can be absorbed naturally. The accumulation of the fluid creates potentially harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain.

The foundation was chosen as this year’s donation recipient to support Sgt. Kel Roberts whose 3-year-old daughter, Reagan, was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus at 16 weeks gestation.

“Our doctors told us that we could terminate the pregnancy, but decided to put our faith in God and through with it,” said Roberts, who is the co-chair of PHF. His wife Danielle is the chairwoman.

Robert’s said the condition slightly affects Reagan’s motor skills, but not her intelligence. So far, she has had three brain surgeries to replace shunts.

“I think the people around Reagan have been impacted more than she has,” Roberts said. “She is a happy child and is ray of light for our entire family.”

As a parent, Roberts said the hardest part is not knowing what tomorrow holds.

“We’re always on guard because we never know if something as simple as the common cold is a red flag that something is wrong,” he said.

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