Shelby County (TN) Dispatchers in Need of Assistance

Dear 9-1-1 Cares,

I am contacting you today to ask for any assistance possible from our large family of 9-1-1 Dispatchers out there. Two of our veteran dispatchers with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (Memphis, TN), Tanya Pressgrove and Brandy Frye, have a family member in need of help.

Tanya’s grandson and Brandy’s second cousin, Brendon Gay, is 2 ½ years old and suffers from a condition known as Short Bowel Syndrome (also known as Short Gut Syndrome). Brendon spent his first 17 months of his life in the hospital and has lost his large intestine, the duodenum, and the majority of his small intestine shortly after his birth. Brendon was discharged from the hospital for a brief time prior to having to be admitted again where he remains under hospital care. December 6th Brendon was in crisis and the family was urged to make final plans. However, Brendon is a fighter and is now in stable condition. It is the families hope that he will be eligible for an intestine transplant either through medical facilities in Pennsylvania or Nebraska.

Because of the financial burden on the Gay family, Tanya opened up her home to her daughter and family who have been living with her for some time now. Tanya has been a caregiver to Brendon, and Brendon’s younger brother Cody (1 year old) who suffers from the same condition as his big brother. Cody’s condition is not as severe as Brendon’s but still requires daily medical support (feeding tubes, medication, etc). Cody spent approx his first 10 months hospitalized and still requires frequent trips to the emergency room.

It is our hope that through the generosity of others that we can help support the family as they travel out of state for Brendon’s upcoming transplant if he is selected as a candidate. Gift cards, national fast-food chain gift certificates, gas cards, Wal-Mart cards, and VISA gift cards would be most helpful. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

Cards and letters can be sent to:

Brandy Frye
5527 Bartlett Grove Cv
Bartlett, TN 38134

For any other questions or information you can contact me at: Diana.Roberts@shelby-sheriff.org Thanks in advance!!

Diana Roberts, Senior Dispatcher
Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Memphis, TN