Poker run will help 2-year-old

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There are already nine people in the Yeomans family.

But since 2-year-old Gabriella was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease last year, their family seems much larger.

"Our church family has been with us every step of the way," said Gabriella's mother, Jeanne Yeomans, of the members of Spartanburg's Restoration Church.

"They have done so much for us. I don't know what we would have done without them."
The church's Roamers Biker Ministry is holding a Poker run and motorcycle rally fundraiser for the family Saturday to help raise money for Gabriella's treatment.

The problems began last year after Gabriella had a seizure while staying home with her 14-year-old brother, Ike Adams.

"She stopped breathing. He called 911 and gave her CPR. Then they rushed her to the hospital," she said.

"When I got there, the waiting room was full with our church family. Then they flew her to Greenville and the waiting room was full there, too. It was unbelievable."

After numerous tests and theories, the doctors finally determined Gabriella had mitochondrial disease, a genetic disorder that occurs when the mitochondria of the cells (or the powerhouse of the body) fail to produce enough energy for cell or organ function.

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It affects about one in every 3,000 to 4,000 people in the United States.

Thanks to medication, Gabriella's doctors are optimistic, Jeanne said.

"They say we should not expect this to kill her. But we weren't going to let that happen anyway," she said.

Since the diagnosis, Jeanne and her husband, Earl, have spent a lot of time studying the disease.
"We had already learned a lot before (they confirmed it), because that's what they were suspecting," Jeanne said. "Now we're trying to unlearn some of that and just figure out what she needs most."

If it's love and attention, Gabriella won't have a problem.

It's nearly impossible to walk by the adorable red-haired child without walking over to say "Hey."

And as soon as you do, she repeats it back to you, and you're hooked. There's no walking away from her smile.

"She's the most precious thing in the whole world," said Mary Hembree, a fellow member of Restoration Church and one the people helping with Saturday's fundraiser.

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Hembree's husband, Lee, started the biker ministry about six years ago. The group has assisted with several charity events, but Lee said he felt especially called to help Gabriella and her family.

"She's a sweet, precious, little child," he said.

"We just wanted to show there's people in the community that just want to stand with them and help them."

Amanda Ridley can be reached at 562-7221 or amanda.ridley@shj.com.

More InformationWhat: Ride for Gabi Motorcycle Rally and Poker RunWhen: Registration begins 10 a.m.

Saturday at Palmetto Cycle Center, 125 Simuel Road. First rider will leave after registration; last bike at 12:30 p.m.Extra: Tommy Crain and the Cross-Town All-Stars concert at 5 p.m. at Spartanburg Expo Center, 6655 Pottery Road.Cost: $20 to ride; $8 for concert (6 years old and older).Prizes: $1,000 top hand; $400 second place; $100 lowest hand; door prizes, food available after poker run.

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