Summer's Story
by Dianne Lane, www.OrangeBeach.ws



Ono Professional Partners
Thank you to Ono Professional
 Partners for providing the the
Gulf Front Condo for the
Summer Annan Benefit drawing. 		March 20, 2007 - Orange Beach, AL - Summer Annan is a 19 year old descendent of one of Orange Beach, Alabama’s older fishing families. The Annan family was among early pioneers of the charter fishing industry along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Long before Summer was born, her great-uncle Armand Annan defied Coast Guard orders to stay in port so that he could rescue a family who had gotten caught in a bad storm out in the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf rescues were not unusual for Armand. Armand didn’t think that his willingness to rescue people from the Gulf during storms was anything particularly heroic, and this is the attitude that has passed down through the Annan family to the current generation.

Armand owned the Gulf Rebel fishing boat from the 1960s through the 80s, which was the boat he used in the rescues. He eventually left the Gulf Rebel to his nephew Brian Annan. Brian, Summer’s father, still captain’s the Gulf Rebel charter boat here in Orange Beach. Brian and his wife Kelly have three children - Summer (19), Phillip (15), and Kendall (13). The family have been active members of this community all their lives. Brian and Kelly Annan are well respected regular folks, who are described by friends and family as rock-solid, positive people. 		Summer Annan
  Sometimes, bad things happen to good people… In the fall of 2005, Summer was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a disease in which the bone marrow stem cells malfunction. The only known option for curing MDS is a bone marrow transplant, which means taking bone marrow from a healthy donor and giving it to the person with MDS to replace the abnormal marrow. When Summer was diagnosed with MDS, the family knew they had to find a donor.

Summer, a single mom, graduated from Gulf Shores High School in 2005. Phillip, Summer’s brother, is a freshman at Gulf Shores High School. As it turns out, her brother was a perfect donor match. Phillip was both thankful, and a little nervous, when he learned he was the match Summer needed. He said the doctors spoke with him several times to determine his commitment to the transplant. And like his great-uncle before him, committed to saving life he was!

The procedure took place between January 18th & the 20th, 2007 at the UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL. Though a bit apprehensive about the procedure, Phillip and Summer made it through the transplant successfully. While Summer is still in Birmingham recovering nicely at the Hope Lodge, Phillip has returned to his classes at Gulf Shores High School. By all indications, the transplant was a 100% success. Summer is expected to, thanks to her talented doctors and her brave brother, live a long full life.






Bayside Grill, Orange Beach, Alabama
Thank you to Bayside Grill
for their contribution.



Live Bait Restaurant
Thank you to Live Bait
for their contribution.













Cosmos Restaurant
Thank you to Cosmo's
for their contribution.

Summer feels very lucky to have had such a perfect match, and such a brave brother willing to go through the transplant with her. When asked what he remembered most about the transplant, he said, “It was on my 15th birthday!” That’s right, January 18, 2007 was Phillip’s 15th birthday, one he is not likely to forget. He donated the stem cells on his birthday and Summer received the transplant two days later.

The Summer Annan Benefit – Three-Day Beach Getaway Drawing
While much of the cost was covered by insurance, there were many expenses that were not. This procedure has ended up costing the family tens of thousands of dollars out of their own pocket. So, in an effort to help the family offset some of the expenses, the Alabama Gulf Coast community has come together and organized a Three-Day Beach Getaway Drawing, with all proceeds going to the Annan family. The winner of the Drawing will receive a 3-night stay in a Gulf-front condominium located in the San Carlos Resort, donated by Jay Stradley with Ono Professional Partners; an 8-hour fishing trip on-board the legendary Gulf Rebel fishing boat with Captain Brian Annan; and three $40 gift certificates from area restaurants - Cosmos Restaurant & Bar, the Live Bait Restaurant & Bar, and the Bayside Grill. The Beach Getaway package also includes a free pamper session for the lady valued at $75 from the Merle Norman Studio at The Wharf.

 The drawing will be held on April 7, 2007 at the Christian Life Church in Orange Beach. For a $20 (tax deductible) donation per ticket, you can have a chance to win this Three-Day Beach Getaway on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

There are three ways to enter the drawing:

  • Purchase your tickets online at Christian Life Church’s website: http://www.clcwired.com/giving.html. 
    • Click on the "Donate" button and enter the donation amount, i.e.  $20 for one ticket, $40 for 2 tickets, etc.  Note that the quantity will not change, but you will receive one ticket for each $20 donation.  (All donations received through the above link between now and April 5, 2007 will go to the Summer Annan Benefit.)

  • Purchase you tickets in person at any area public school.
  • Mail a check or money order (write Summer Annan in the memo line) for $20 each, for the number of tickets you want to purchase.  Please make sure that your name, address, and phone number are included. 

    The mail address:

    • Christian Life Church
    P.O. Box     10
    Orange Beach    , AL 36561
    Phone: 251.967.4840

     










Merle Norman, The Wharf
Thank you to Merle Norman
at The Wharf for their contribution.
  Thank you for taking the time to read Summer’s Story.

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