Jada Harper----A Story Of Love.....And Kindness!:

This story is not remotely crime related....but it made my cry and smile at the same time. In a time when all people seem to care about is the recession and people looking out for themselves, it's nice to know that people still care about one another.

Jada's story is bittersweet......but I will always remember it! Enjoy!!

Jada's mom, Savannah Surface (r.) hugs her friend Terry Gilliam after arriving at Boone County Regional Airport--photo Harrison Daily Times

Seven year-old Jada Harper lives in Harrison, AR. She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor back in June of this year.

Little Jada has been treated in Little Rock and had been at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the Texas Medical Center in Houston since July.

Three weeks ago she had a seizure and has been in a coma and on a ventilator since then. The prognosis....she could get more radiation and possible live six months in Houston, or the family could try and get her to hospital in Harrison where she might live for three months.

If they could get her home, she could live out her final days surrounded by family and friends who love her. So, her parents, Savannah and Jason Surface, decided to bring her home.

Jada's mom and dad knew that they couldn't afford the cost of an air ambulance and made the agonizing decision to bring their little girl back home by ground ambulance, even though they were told that the ordeal could ultimately kill little Jada.

So that meant that Savannah would have to be separated from her little girl for the long drive back to the Ozarks because Jason, who had been in Houston with his wife until recently, had to leave in late September so that he could get back to work at Tyson to support his wife, Jada, and two other children.

That was until the little girl's principal stepped in. Andrea Martin had a friend that worked for Fed Ex, so she called them. In an economy where every penny counts, Fed Ex stepped up to the plate with a gesture that not just helps a family out-----but helps a whole community start to heal.

Fed Ex arranged for an air ambulance to get the terminally ill little girl back home. The entire $11,000 tab for the mercy flight has been picked up by the air freight giant.

Jada being wheeled to waiting ambulance after arriving from mercy flight (Harrison Daily Times)

When you say your prayers tonight or anytime you thank God for you or your family's health, please remember this little angel and her family!

First National Bank of Green Forest has established a fund to help the family with expenses related Jada's care.


Jada Harper Donation Fund
c/o First National Bank of Green Forest
P.O. Box 1818
Harrison, Ark., 72602


*******Here is a link for a Facebook page devoted to Jada.