Family of brain-dead Oakland teen to receive award 

The family of Jahi McMath will be receiving an award from the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network at the nonprofit organization’s award gala next month in Philadelphia, the organization announced today.

“When families such as Jahi’s reach out to us, we support them, at no cost, by connecting them with family services and a network of professional resources,” the press release reads.

The “Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Award” honors an individual or family that fights or has “fought to protect the dignity of a loved one against overwhelming odds,” as stated in the press release by Schiavo’s brother, Bobby Schindler.

Schindler, who serves as the executive director of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, stated in an email to the Mercury News that, “The award to the McMath family recognizes the unconditional love they have for Jahi, and their courage as they continue the fight for their daughter against overwhelming odds.” Schindler went on to say that Jahi’s mother, father, grandmother and uncle plan to be in attendance at the gala on March 27.

“I am grateful for the award,” said McMath’s uncle, Omar Sealey, via text message. “I just wish it was under different circumstances. At the end of the day, my niece is still battling a horrific injury and it still hurts everyday,” he added.

13-year-old Jahi McMath was declared brain dead on December 9 after undergoing a tonsillectomy that caused her to bleed profusely and sent her into cardiac arrest Children’s Hospital in Oakland, Ca. Since being transferred from Children’s Hospital to an undisclosed facility, McMath’s family has recently released statements saying McMath is “OK.”

– Antionette Latrese (@_ALatrese)