Ambassador Power and a Bike Surprise at Abilities Expo Dallas

We attended Abilities Expo Dallas Dec 1-3 and got to connect with some major VIPs from our community.

Client Ambassador Kevin Lopez and Barbara Brewer, mom of client Jacob Brewer, volunteered their time to tell others all about their experiences with medical fundraising through Help Hope Live.

We presented a Freedom Concepts Help Hope Live-themed bike to 15-year-old Hallie, who has been living with an amputation since she was 11 following an osteosarcoma diagnosis.

A special thanks to Kevin for documenting our Abilities Expo Dallas experiences and sharing the photos with us!

In a selfie at Abilities Expo Dallas in front of the Help Hope Live booth banners, Kevin Lopez and Barbara Brewer smile. Kevin has light brown skin, a bald head, and a short gray goatee with a bright red shirt, and he’s giving a peace sign. Behind him Barbara has light skin and shoulder-length brown hair with an abilities Expo badge—she is waving.

We were so excited to connect with Kevin and Barbara to help spread our mission at Abilities Expo Dallas.

They brought both energy and expertise to our booth, engaging individuals and families to share their firsthand experiences with our trusted medical fundraising.

Kevin is a proud Ambassador we recently featured in our Latest as he reached his one-year heart transplant anniversary. He got to work spreading the word about our mission and impact.

Kevin Lopez is staffing the Help Hope Live booth at Abilities Expo Dallas. Several people are in front of the booth, including four female-presenting attendees who are standing and one child in a stroller wearing a black face mask. The Help Hope Live booth includes signage, bracelets, and brochures. Kevin has light brown skin, black rimmed glasses, and light gray facial hair.

Barbara shared powerful thoughts on Facebook about the full-circle experience of sharing Help Hope Live with other families like hers:

“A year later, I am at the very same table but on the other side, sharing our story.”

A Facebook post screenshot posted by user Barbara Brewer

Barbara Brewer is at the Help Hope Live table and booth at Abilities Expo Dallas 2023. She has light skin, shoulder-length brown hair, light eyes, jeans, and a black t-shirt that has a lightning graphic and text

As our Executive Director Kelly L Green observed throughout our time at Abilities Expo Dallas:

“They are both exceptional people. I can’t believe their energy, kindness, and capabilities—and they nailed our messaging.”

It’s always a special occasion when we get to combine an Abilities Expo visit with an adaptive bike giveaway.

Kelly L Green stands with an Abilities Expo employee in front of a step-and-repeat banner at Abilities Expo Dallas. In front of them is a teal, Help Hope Live-branded adaptive handcycle bike. Kelly has light skin and dark hair in a ponytail with a black Help Hope Live jacket and teal polo collar. The Abilities Expo employee has light skin, short gray hair, a vibrant orange polo and sneakers, and a purple Abilities Expo jacket.

It was no surprise to us that Hallie and family were overjoyed to receive a customized adaptive bike perfect for Hallie’s mobility needs. As her mom put it:

“This bike is an extension of the freedom and independence that Hallie enjoyed before her cancer diagnosis.”

On the expo floor at Abilities Expo Dallas, Help Hope Live’s Kelly L Green is with 15-year-old Hallie, an adaptive bike recipient. Kelly has light skin, dark eyes, and dark hair in a ponytail. Hallie has light skin, a big smile with braces, and wavy shoulder length brown hair. She is operating her new adaptive bike with her hands—it is teal with Help Hope Live branding on the front.

Hallie has dedicated her life to advocating for childhood cancer awareness and fundraising for treatments and research. She’s raised over $200,000 for her cause over the past five years.

15-year-old Hallie is grinning as she rides her new teal Help Hope Live-themed handcycle adaptive bike at Abilities Expo Dallas. Hallie has light skin, a big smile with braces, and wavy shoulder length brown hair.

Through her charity Hallie’s Heroes, over 8,000 people have joined the National Bone Marrow Registry, and 300 patients have found their life-changing bone marrow matches.

Her excitement and joy were evident—and she was immediately able to get moving! We love the humor and spin Hallie brings to the table. Just check out her creative shirt!

Kelly L Green and 15-year-old adaptive bike recipient Hallie are at Abilities Expo Dallas with a step-and-repeat banner behind them bearing logos for Freedom Concepts, Help Hope Live, and Abilities Expo. Hallie stands in front of her teal Help Hope Live themed handcycle adaptive bike. Hallie has light skin, a big smile with braces, and wavy shoulder length brown hair. Her left leg is a prosthetic leg, and she wears a black t-shirt that reads LEG STORY $10. Kelly has light skin and dark hair in a ponytail with a black Help Hope Live jacket and teal polo collar, and she’s making a funny “what the heck?” expression at the camera as Hallie laughs next to her.

We loved meeting Hallie and her family, and we’re so grateful to the Esther and Pedro Rosenblatt Foundation for making this bike giveaway possible.

Our missions couldn’t be more compatible as they continue to provide support for organizations that prioritize education, research, and services that enhance the everyday lives of children and families impacted by illnesses and disabilities.

From Denise Davis of the Rosenblatt Foundation:

“So happy to be part of helping children like Hallie.”

Kelly L Green is with 15-year-old Hallie and her parents at Abilities Expo Dallas. Hallie is sitting on her new teal Help Hope Live-themed handcycle bike. She has light skin, shoulder-length brown hair, a black t-shirt, and one leg. Her dad has light skin, thick gray hair, and a gray short beard. He wears jeans and a button-up shirt and carries Hallie’s prosthetic leg, which ends in a hiking boot. Her mom has light skin, brown hair pulled back, and a black athletic long-sleeved shirt. Kelly has light skin and dark hair in a ponytail with a black Help Hope Live jacket and teal polo collar.

We were excited to connect in-person with client Stephen Mackintosh, who has been fundraising with Help Hope Live since a spinal cord injury in 2012.

Kelly L Green stands next to client Stephen Mackintosh and a loved one at Abilities Expo Dallas in front of the teal Help Hope Live booth and banners. Kelly has light skin and dark hair in a ponytail with a black Help Hope Live jacket and teal polo collar. Stephen has light skin and short white hair with a tartan cap and white collared shirt. He is seated in his black power chair. His loved one has light skin and short golden blonde hair.

Stephen reached out after the Expo and shared these kind words with us:

“It was wonderful to share our story and give thanks. You have been so helpful.”

He let us know he’d be including this photo in his year-end posts to his support community:

“They will get to meet the folks who make it happen every day.”

As always, we used our time at Abilities Expo Dallas to tell as many individuals and families as possible how to tap into our trusted medical fundraising to help fund the amazing equipment they see at Expo events and so much more.