'Stories for Sara’ book drive under way this month

Published by admin on Thu, 09/22/2016 - 9:45am

A book drive began earlier this month in memory of Sara Kate Mason, a baby who died of a rare heart defect after only five days of life. Her parents, Reid and Kristen Mason of Cowley, are hosting a children’s book drive as a way to honor Sara’s short life. She would have been celebrating her second birthday this month.[caption id="attachment_11679" align="alignright" width="214"]A book drive is in progress this month in memory of Sara Kate Mason, a baby who died of a rare heart defect after only five days of life. The book drive is hosted by her parents, Reid and Kristen Mason of Cowley, as a way to honor her short life. courtesy photo A book drive is in progress this month in memory of Sara Kate Mason, a baby who died of a rare heart defect after only five days of life. The book drive is hosted by her parents, Reid and Kristen Mason of Cowley, as a way to honor her short life.
courtesy photo[/caption]The book drive began on Sept. 1 and will run through the entire month of September. The public is invited to donate new children’s books in her memory during this time period through a wish list on Amazon.com. This is different than last year, where donors dropped books off at specific locations in the community.The 2016 Stories4Sara book drive will benefit the Lovell Library. The Mason family worked with the library to create the list.All books purchased through the list will be donated to the Lovell Library in memory of Sara Kate. A label will be placed inside the book stating that the book was donated in memory of Sara Kate, along with a website address for more information. According to family, as of this week 130 books have been donated. To donate a book, go to www.Stories4Sara.org and select from a list of books provided on a link marked “donate” provided on the site.A Facebook page was also created with more information about the book drive at www.facebook.com/groups/Stories4Sara/.Sara was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at birth (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Atrioventricular Septal Defect) after being born eight weeks early. Sadly, she was too small at only 4 pounds and her lungs were too underdeveloped to have the type of surgery that could remedy her condition.Congenital heart defects occur in one out of 100 births and are the leading cause of infant deaths. A Congenital Heart Defect (or CHD) is an abnormality of the heart that presents at birth. In general, there is no known cause or cure for CHDs.

By Patti Carpenter