The Mark White Show

On this Make a Difference Minute, I have my friend Darsy Muñoz Sansores as she shares about Evans Enriqué Sansores Gutiérrez and his mother, Berenice Gutierrez Castañeda, as their family faces serious health challenges in Mexico.

What began as abdominal pain for Evans quickly became a medical emergency when his appendix ruptured. Darsy shares some of the difficult realities the family has faced while trying to get him the care he needs, including the financial barriers that can stand between a family and urgent medical treatment.

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Tonight, we’re sharing the story of a mother who had barely finished fighting one battle when another began.

Berenice Gutierrez Castañeda recently underwent a double mastectomy and completed chemotherapy. She reached the day when she could ring the bell and celebrate the end of that part of her cancer treatment.

The celebration was short-lived as her five-year-old son, Evans, who lives with autism, became seriously ill.

Evans developed appendicitis, and his appendix ruptured. He required surgery and now needs continued medication and medical care as he recovers. At the same time, Berenice is facing the financial burden of getting her little boy the care he needs while still recovering from her own cancer treatment.

Darsy Muñoz Sansores learned what Berenice and Evans were facing and reached out to me from here in the U.S. because she wanted to find some way to help.

Tonight, you’ll hear from both of them & Darsy will also serve as a translator.

Their story is taking place in Mexico, but a mother worried about her child sounds the same in any language and on either side of any border. When someone is hurting and we have an opportunity to help, we can choose to care.

Listen to their story, share it, you never know who that share might reach.

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Tonight, I’m coming to you from The Butcher - Meat Co. in Vinemont, Alabama, with Kadi Lee Smith!

We’re talking about The Butcher’s 4th Annual Smoke & Flames Barbecue Cookoff coming up October 24th at the Vinemont Sports Complex. Kadi shares how the event got started, what it means to have a KCBS-sanctioned competition, and what they have planned with BBQ teams, People’s Choice, arts & crafts vendors, a Kids Zone, classic cars, live music and more!

We’ll also talk about The Butcher Meat Co., the work Kadi and Justin Smith have put into growing their business, supporting local, and what Kadi would tell someone who has a dream of starting a business of their own.

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On this Make a Difference Minute, I’m coming to you from The Butcher Meat Co. in Vinemont, AL, with Kadi Lee Smith as she shares a message for anyone thinking about starting a business: Just jump!

Kadi shares how she and Justin took that leap with The Butcher - Meat Co., what they’ve learned along the way, and why sometimes you have to move beyond what’s comfortable to pursue what you believe in.

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Tonight on The Mark White Show, we’re going inside the work of The Long Way Home Rescue with Maggie Chandler Tucker.

Four boxers recently came into their care after living in what Maggie describes as horrendous conditions. Two of the females are pregnant, meaning four rescued dogs could soon become many more.

Maggie shares what these dogs experienced, what happens when neglected animals finally realize they are safe, and what it takes to care for approximately 85 dogs currently at the rescue. Over the past 18 years, Maggie says her family has rescued about 5,500 dogs, including hundreds that needed extensive rehabilitation.

We’ll also talk about the immediate needs of these four boxers and how something as simple as a bag of food, a small donation or helping with transportation can make a difference.

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On this Make a Difference Minute, I’ll have Maggie Chandler Tucker of The Long Way Home Rescue in Limestone County, AL.

For 18 years, Maggie and her team have taken in animals others often didn’t want, including hundreds of abuse and rehabilitation cases. She’ll share what happens when a terrified animal finally realizes it is safe, and how rescuing four neglected dogs from a breeder could prevent generations of animals from facing the same cycle.

It’s a story about rescue, rehabilitation, and what a second chance can really mean.

This Make a Difference Minute is brought to you by Athens Bible School, proudly supporting stories and the people who make our communities strong.

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Tonight, I’ll introduce you to little Luca and his grandmother, Elena Oliver Terry.

Luca is only four months old and was born with complex congenital heart disease, including tricuspid atresia with D-transposition of the great arteries. In his first few months of life, he has already spent significant time in the hospital, and his family knows this will be a lifelong heart journey involving specialized care, procedures & surgeries.

Luca and his parents live in Oklahoma, while Elena is here in Alabama trying to do everything she can from hundreds of miles away. She has organized a yard sale, made shirts, and started a fundraiser to help her son and his family with medical expenses, medication, travel & transportation needs.

Tonight, Elena will share Luca’s story, what this young family is facing and why she is determined to do whatever she can to help her grandson.

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On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Elena Terry as she shares about her grandson, Luca, who was born with a rare congenital heart defect and is currently facing complications that have him back in a children’s hospital in Oklahoma.

Elena describes Luca as the happiest little baby, always smiling despite everything his young body has already endured.

His family had no idea anything was wrong when he was born. They were preparing to take their new baby home when doctors told them Luca had failed his heart screening. Additional testing revealed serious problems with his heart, and instead of going home as planned, Luca and his parents began a 46-day stay at the children’s hospital.

Since then, his journey has included procedures, medications, and continuing uncertainty. During his latest hospitalization, Luca was scheduled for a heart catheterization when another complication developed and he became very sick.

There’s some encouraging news. Elena says Luca has finally been able to eat again, doctors are working to get him off his blood pressure medication, and if he continues progressing, the family hopes he will soon be able to go home.

Through all of it, Elena says that little boy keeps smiling.

If you would like to support Luca and his family, go to GoFundMe and search “Support Luca and His Parents.”

This Make a Difference Minute is brought to you by Bama Estate Planning by Attorney Harlan D. Mitchell, proudly supporting stories and the people who make our communities strong.

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On this Make a Difference Minute, I have Paul Bruyneel, better known to many as Santa Paul, as he shares about his recovery following his third shoulder replacement surgery.

After decades of physically demanding work, degenerative arthritis took a devastating toll on Paul’s shoulder. Finding a surgeon willing to perform such a complex revision surgery wasn’t easy, and by the time the procedure could be done, additional damage had occurred, making the operation even more challenging.

Now facing more than two months away from work, Paul is focused on healing while relying on the unwavering support of his wife, Sandy. He says she’s been his rock through every surgery, helping with even the simplest daily tasks during recovery.

For someone who has spent years bringing joy to children and giving back to others as Santa Paul, this season has required him to accept the kindness of the community he’s worked so hard to serve.

If you’d like to support Paul and his family during his recovery, you can give through GoFundMe by searching “Taking the Weight Off His Shoulders.”

This MADM is brought to you by Bankston Motor Homes., proudly supporting stories and the people who make our communities strong.

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On this Make a Difference Minute, I’m coming to you from Gabriela’s Latin Fusion in Athens, Alabama, where owner Maximo Villagomez “Max” shares a message for anyone trying to build something of their own.

For Max, there’s real value in starting at the bottom.

He believes learning the basics of a business firsthand gives an entrepreneur something that cannot be replaced. The work that may not seem important in the moment can become invaluable later, especially when the time comes to lead and teach others.

That experience has taken on new meaning for Max with Gabriela’s Latin Fusion, a restaurant he named after his wife. He says becoming an owner has shown him just how different ownership is from being an employee or even a manager.

As an owner, the responsibility doesn’t end when the workday is over. Max knows the decisions he makes affect not only the restaurant, but the people who depend on it and the team he’s responsible for leading.

His message to young people and aspiring entrepreneurs is to not be afraid to start from the ground. What you learn there may be exactly what prepares you for where you want to go.

This Make a Difference Minute is brought to you by Premier Structures, Inc., proudly supporting stories and the people who make our communities strong.

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Real people.

Real impact.

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