For more ways to help the Santos family, please contact Arrepia, Brasil

The Santos Family Thanks
Dr. Kevin Strauss
Children's Institute
Children's Hospital
Ronald McDonald House
Arrepia, Brasil
The Brazil Nuts Club
Mr. Lawrence M. Lebowitz

The Santoses Also Thank
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Sen. Arlen Specter
Pittsburgh Catholic Charities

A Typical Family...
Imagine you and your spouse are hard-working, educated people who have a wonderful son and another on the way. You have a nice house, cars, and your family around you. Suddenly, you find that your new son has a rare disease, one that requires special food and care, which is very expensive. He falls into a coma for over a month.

Then, a doctor from another country offers to help your son survive this condition and grow up healthy and strong. You leave everyone you know, sell everything you own, and travel thousands of miles to a country where you do not speak the language. Many people help you, but the road to your son's recovery will be long, and you wish to work instead of having to accept charity. Although you have taught yourself this country's language, you have no car and no work visa yet.

This may sound like a nightmare, but it is the story of the Santos family, who have come to Pittsburgh from Fortaleza, Brazil. Artur Santos, a three-year-old boy, has Maple Syrup Urine Disease, a genetic disease most common in the Amish community. His family has faced many hardships, but they only count their blessings. Artur has received a liver transplant and is on the mend, but the road to walking, talking, and many other things most boys his age can do will be long. During this time, the Santos family asks for your generosity so that they might have a car, to allow Mr. Santos to work again and the family the chance to be near their son even when the busses aren't running.