My husband and I have learned that life has a way of humbling us. Just when we thought that we were figuring out this game called life, we were thrown a curve ball.

On May 19, 2007, six weeks after the birth of our daughter, my husband, Bob Peppler became ill from an unknown virus, which resulted in him needing a liver transplant.

In an act of love, on June 6 Bob’s sister, Stacey Barden donated 70 per cent of her liver to her brother. Unfortunately, while Bob was recovering from his liver transplant, the virus was still in his body, this time attacking his bone marrow. After several months of tests and blood transfusions, Bob received his bone marrow transplant on Nov. 28. Once again, his sister Stacey was the donor.

Bob is still recovering and just recently returned home from the hospital, where he was being treated for Guillian-Barre Syndrome.

While it is difficult to find the silver lining in this situation, we are thankful for many things and touched by the love and support that we have received. The sacrifices Stacey has made out of love for her brother are more than any sibling should have to make. While there is no way of ever repaying her for what she has done, the best we can offer is our thanks and our love.

We are grateful for our families, especially our moms, who have supported us in every possible way. Please know that everything you have done is truly appreciated. Thank you to our family and friends for your well wishes, prayers and offers of assistance. These simple gestures have given us hope when we really needed it most. We couldn’t have gotten through this without all of you.

We would also like to thank the community of Huntsville for all of your words of comfort, prayers and support. The way so many of you have reached out to our family has been humbling and inspiring. Thank you to everyone who organized, and attended,  Bob’s  benefit. Thank you to the members of the Huntsville Church of Christ; and Riverside Baptist Church; Pat and Diane Clarke, The Clothes Closet Staff; the businesses and staff of Huntsville Place Mall; Ron Henry Jewellers staff; Hydro One staff; and the TD Bank for your kindness.

Our gratitude also goes out to the staff and students (and their families) of Huntsville High School (HHS). The way the school has rallied around Stacey, and supported not only her but Bob, Sarah, and I, has been nothing less than inspirational. To be embraced by the HHS family with such open arms, after graduating 11 years ago, has been unexpected and extremely heart-warming.

While we’ve learned that life may have a way of humbling us, we have also learned that people have a way of lifting us up, giving us strength, and inspiring us to rise to the occasion.

While Bob still has a lot of recovering to do over the next year or so, please know that our hearts are warmed, and our spirits are high, thanks to all of you.

Sherry, Bob and Sarah Peppler,
Ajax, Ontario