A quilt raffle organized by Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa (GTB) community members was created this month to help offset a Suttons Bay woman’s medical expenses and unexpected need for a kidney transplant.
Sequetta Brand, a Suttons Bay resident, has been undergoing dialysis three times a week for the last several months after discovering that she would need a kidney transplant. Since being faced with these challenges in January, Brand has been unable to work, leading to mounting medical and household bills.
The goal with the raffle fundraiser is to help alleviate some of that financial burden so Brand can focus on her health and recovery while awaiting for a transplant in the months ahead. Syreeta, Brand’s sister, started a GoFundMe in the meantime to also aid in raising funds for the ongoing medical/home expenses.
Donna Burnam handmade the two medicine wheel inspired lapsized star quilts that people have the chance to win if they purchase raffle tickets. Burnam first learned how to make the quilts over a decade ago through a tribal program, noting that it’s traditionally used for gifting to show honor, respect, and gratitude. The raffle winners will be announced on May 11 at the GTB Federal Recognition Day Mini Pow Wow at Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel Grounds.
“When I saw that she (Sequetta) needed some financial assistance, I got a hold of her and asked if I could raffle these quilts for her and help her this way. She’s helped me out so much and she’s an incredible and an amazing person to know,” Burnam said. “She’s a really strong and supportive person… it’s just to give back to someone who has given so much to the community.”
Brand is originally from Sault Ste. Marie, but has lived in the region for most of her life, raising her kids in Leelanau and helping youth in different capacities through her work. With over a decade of experience working for different GTB programs to help at-risk youth, whether it was serving as a domestic violence advocate or helping women in-need find housing, Brand has devoted much of her time to being there for others. Reaching out for help, the opposite of what Brand usually does, is something she’s had to accept since facing her urgent health issues this year.
“This is all very, very new. I went into the hospital on the 31st of January and within the second week of February, I was put on dialysis. I ended up having two strokes that they missed at the hospital… It’s been one thing after the other,” Brand said. “I love my community and I love life — I’m very touched with my community, but it’s scary, and I will honestly say this is the first time in my life that I’ve actually been scared. Normally I’m like, ‘we got this, let’s go.’” After spending a total of 51 days in the hospital since January, Brand said she is currently on a leave of absence from work and continues to attend dialysis while teaching herself how to walk again and slowly healing from her strokes. Having spent the money she had saved for a car towards the many sudden and incurring medical/ home bills, Brand said she’s had to rely on friends to bring her back and forth from dialysis appointments. She hopes the physical therapy will eventually help her get back to her baseline of strength on her right side of her body to make mobility easier, too.
“I’m trying to get dialysis to where I can do it at home until I’m able to do the transplant… it takes a lot out on the body,” she said. “I told my sons it’s just a bump in the road, I just need to make it through this.”
On May 20, Brand will travel downstate to learn more about a kidney transplant, and has been busy completing all the necessary tests before that date comes.
“I do have people that want to donate a kidney, so hopefully everything works out the way it’s supposed to,” she said. “I’m trying to do some work on my own and trying to nourish my own kidneys to see if they might kick back in, but otherwise, it’s a lot.”
To purchase raffle tickets, contact Donna Burnam at 231-8660398 or Sandy Anderson at 231866-0064. One ticket is $10 or three is $20. To donate to Brand’s kidney transplant GoFundMe, go to https://gofund.me/7c86d971.
