Talen is a bright, energetic 10-year-old 5th grader from Bend who loves spending time outdoors, playing football and basketball with his buddies, and boating with his family in the summer. He’s the kind of kid who’s always smiling, full of grit, heart, and humor. At home, Talen is surrounded by love, his parents, who are both self-employed and work locally, his sister (who was a Sparrow Club recipient last year), and their three loyal dogs who rarely leave his side. Talen’s sister requires specialized care at home as well, and the family is grateful for the help and support of Grandma during this difficult time. On October 24th, Talen was admitted to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon after developing blood in his urine. Doctors discovered that his kidneys were severely inflamed and began working to stabilize him while they waited for specialized lab results (up to two weeks). After a week in the hospital, he was able to return home on October 31st. Unfortunately, just a day later, on November 1st, Talen had to be taken back to Doernbecher by ambulance when his symptoms worsened. He remains hospitalized as his medical team continues to monitor his condition and wait for lab results to guide the next steps in his care. Through all of this, Talen has shown incredible courage and positivity. His parents are balancing hospital life, work, and travel between Bend and Portland, all while staying strong for both of their children. If you’d like to support the Graham family during this difficult time, providing a meal, gas card, or small donation helps alleviate some of the stress associated with travel costs, being away from home, and missing work as they focus on what matters most: getting Talen healthy and home again