I've been told this is a bad time for fund-raising, I've been told it will be tough to reach the $50,000.00. Is there ever a good time and is there such a thing? Blood cancers don't know time it strikes when you least expect it's not like you saw it coming or it ever happened at a "good" time.
Like our honoree Tressa and 900,000 like her one day living life to the fullest with a great future right around the corner and the next thing not feeling well and diagnosed. We can't wait the call needs to be answered now to raise money to fund research and find a cure!
I believe in people and the kindness in their hearts. Look how everyone has come to support the efforts in Haiti as I have. There will be those kind souls who will come forward during this campaign because they have the means to do so and we will in turn be so very grateful. But how about extending that reach by instead of asking for $20, $50, $100 reach out to many more people and asking them to contribute $1.00? If they believe in the cause, and understand that yes that $1.00 can add up and make all of the difference we can get to that fund-raising goal of $50,000.00 one dollar at a time or maybe .99 cents at a time.
Well stay tuned because we have a plan in place. It's an unusual time that does call for creative fund-raising and we are ready to rise to the occasion for Tressa who fought so hard and others still fighting. Why simply because we never want to again witness another tragedy like Tressa. And now is a good time to take action.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Day Six of...98 Days
It hit me today - no it rocked me today - it was a full body blow. I really thought I got it, I understood the importance of the campaign to eradicate Leukemia and Lymphoma so not another child would be at risk. After all I have been campaigning and raising money for the cure for over seven years now. I get it. Believe me I know that it's a horrible cancer and it takes our children long before their time. But today, wow, today I really got it. I got so much more then I thought possible - you see, today I got a mother's view of why there must be cure, now, today, tomorrow at the latest, definitely in our lifetime.
Today I experienced first hand why, why there has to be a cure for this cancer, this death sentence before one more lovely young lady loses the battle and one more mother loses her little girl, her precious little princess. You see today was the day that I was lucky enough to be with my daughter - fully adorned in her wedding dress - her wedding dress!
She was lovely and delicate and oh so exuberant in her moment. She was so full of life. There was something about the way she looked that actually that took my breath away. And understandably so for my little girl is just 24 years old. She is just beginning her life's journey.
All of our princesses whether 4 or 24 should be exclusively focused on life's special moments, their adventures, and not this demon disease, this cancer, this probable death sentence. In the end, I got it today, that is why I am waging this campaign, its a personal crusade, you see its for my daughter. I am not ready to lose her!
I am betting you feel the same way. Are you on board? Come join me on this quest to raise our slice of the money needed to fund the research to beat Leukemia and Lymphoma and make this campaign obsolete!
Today I experienced first hand why, why there has to be a cure for this cancer, this death sentence before one more lovely young lady loses the battle and one more mother loses her little girl, her precious little princess. You see today was the day that I was lucky enough to be with my daughter - fully adorned in her wedding dress - her wedding dress!
She was lovely and delicate and oh so exuberant in her moment. She was so full of life. There was something about the way she looked that actually that took my breath away. And understandably so for my little girl is just 24 years old. She is just beginning her life's journey.
All of our princesses whether 4 or 24 should be exclusively focused on life's special moments, their adventures, and not this demon disease, this cancer, this probable death sentence. In the end, I got it today, that is why I am waging this campaign, its a personal crusade, you see its for my daughter. I am not ready to lose her!
I am betting you feel the same way. Are you on board? Come join me on this quest to raise our slice of the money needed to fund the research to beat Leukemia and Lymphoma and make this campaign obsolete!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Day Five of...98 Days
Remember I talked the other day about finding the right people to get on the bus ("From Good to Great"). Yesterday we received some special news we got some incredible people to help our fund-raising for the month of February that really touched us. It is the Student Council at The Hutson School in Indiana! This school is full of extraordinary kids and are taught everyday that they can make a difference. It touches your heart when you see children dedicated to helping others less fortunate. And it is certainly not like they have it easy The Hutson School is a specialty comprehensive day school educating students with dyslexia and specific language learning differences. We are so grateful and thankful to these wonderful children who want to join this fight and find a cure.
And it appears there is always that seven degrees of separation rule because someone very dear to me at this school has also been touched by losing a loved one from Leukemia it is the Principle Janet G. who is Tressa's beloved aunt.
Tomorrow let's see what other surprises are in store and other doors that may open to those that want to fund-raise for research so we can find a cure. It's time!
And it appears there is always that seven degrees of separation rule because someone very dear to me at this school has also been touched by losing a loved one from Leukemia it is the Principle Janet G. who is Tressa's beloved aunt.
Tomorrow let's see what other surprises are in store and other doors that may open to those that want to fund-raise for research so we can find a cure. It's time!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Day Four of...98 Days
Today is letter writing day, the day we start drafting "the letter" for the fund-raising portion of the campaign for delivery by e-mail and snail mail. I want the message to be less about the campaign and more about joining the fight and making a difference in the lives of those like Tressa who have been affected by this disease.
It might surprise some of the letter recipients to learn that more than 912,938 Americans are living with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. That is a startling number. And if that number is not shocking enough I am sure they'll be knocked back when they read that every four minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer and every 10 minutes, sadly, someone dies.
We'll also inform them that the funds we raise go toward research, patient services and advocacy activities of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Last year over $69 million went toward research alone.
So those are my initial thoughts and hopefully as we compose this letter and speak from the heart people will read this it will touch them to want to support the efforts to find the cure.
And if we want to raise our stated goal of $50,000.00 it will take over 500 letters and an average of $100.00 average gift because this effort needs to raise $12,500.00 by itself. When the letter is finalized, I will post it here.
It might surprise some of the letter recipients to learn that more than 912,938 Americans are living with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. That is a startling number. And if that number is not shocking enough I am sure they'll be knocked back when they read that every four minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer and every 10 minutes, sadly, someone dies.
We'll also inform them that the funds we raise go toward research, patient services and advocacy activities of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Last year over $69 million went toward research alone.
So those are my initial thoughts and hopefully as we compose this letter and speak from the heart people will read this it will touch them to want to support the efforts to find the cure.
And if we want to raise our stated goal of $50,000.00 it will take over 500 letters and an average of $100.00 average gift because this effort needs to raise $12,500.00 by itself. When the letter is finalized, I will post it here.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Day Three of...98 Days
The plan is in the making and we know the reality of raising $50,000.00 in a condensed two month period beginning February 18th will be challenging. But anything is possible as long as the determination and reason for making the impossible happen.
Our inspiration is the drive of Tressa who when first starting her fight in April was having trouble keeping her fever down, cooling blankets were used so she could be given blood. Her white cell hovered around 400, less then a fraction of the norm which is between 5,000-10,000. The battle had begun in earnest. Tressa was in pain and a lot of it. It was a very tough time for her. She lost a lot of weight but she fought hard through that month and she rebounded to the point of going home. So ended round one.
And this is round one of the fund-raising and we are ready for the fight to find the cure:
Our inspiration is the drive of Tressa who when first starting her fight in April was having trouble keeping her fever down, cooling blankets were used so she could be given blood. Her white cell hovered around 400, less then a fraction of the norm which is between 5,000-10,000. The battle had begun in earnest. Tressa was in pain and a lot of it. It was a very tough time for her. She lost a lot of weight but she fought hard through that month and she rebounded to the point of going home. So ended round one.
And this is round one of the fund-raising and we are ready for the fight to find the cure:
- Letter Writing: how many letters do we send what do we expect to receive
- Auction Items: where can we get them and which events do we use them for
- Events: what events can we do that others would pay to come to
- Corporate Sponsorships and Donations: which companies do we approach
- Personal Donations: reaching out to all networks
- Create a unique fund-raising aspect one that will keep on giving long after the campaign has stopped
Monday, January 18, 2010
Day Two...of 98 Days
Now what? What's the next step?
First you can't start this kind of journey without having an honoree! I was given a gift in the form of approval by this family to honor their beloved daughter, Tressa, and her fight against leukemia. In the coming days I will share some of her brave battle to beat cancer. Reading her thoughts during those days makes it clear why money needs to be raised right now to fund the research to find a cure.
It is through the bravery of our honorees that keeps the fight real and us going and in check and reminds us daily why we are doing this fund-raiser. I feel if you know of the fight Tressa doing her best trying to beat this disease before it took her life you will then be in a better place to judge exactly why our fund-raising goals must be reached.
My team is committed to raising $50,000.00. But how do we get there in two short months? Foremost is the generosity of you reading this blog, and then it takes a dedicated team and a solid plan. There are four very determined and focused team members in this challenge to raise the dollars that will go toward blood cancers research. You met me now let me introduce the other members.
First there's Steve, who reached out and involved me to raise these needed dollars for research. He is also the campaign manager. I have known him for over ten years. He was always there for me and the cause during the years when I chaired the Bob and Tom Radiothon that raised over a half million dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The campaign manager is a critical position so I am thankful that Steve is filling that role.
Then there is my mom, aka Jo. To say she is the "queen" of fund-raising would be an understatement. Over her lifetime she has very successfully found the money for several cancer related causes principally in the NYC area. At 75 she truly has the energy of someone twenty years her junior. Mom is thrilled to be involved, share ideas that worked for her and see that we accomplish our $50,000.00 goal.
And then my husband Tom. You can't do this type of condensed two month campaign and go through all the ups and downs of fund-raising for a cause like this one unless you have a supportive partner who will do what it takes to help to make sure the goals are realized and the $50,000.00 banked for LLS reseach.
So there you have the core four who will be laying out the plan and putting it in to action. I will reach out to other, maybe you, to ask for help in some form or another toward this effort. I am hopeful there will be some additional "muscle" in this heavy lifting. It is exciting to find others who are similarly committed toward an aggressive goal of fund-raising for research toward the eventual cure for these dreaded blood cancers. And of course equally helpful is people volunteering to simply reach out to their own networks causing a fantastic 'snowball effect'.
So the next steps include getting others believing in what we are doing and involved in the cause! I'll keep you posted on those efforts.
First you can't start this kind of journey without having an honoree! I was given a gift in the form of approval by this family to honor their beloved daughter, Tressa, and her fight against leukemia. In the coming days I will share some of her brave battle to beat cancer. Reading her thoughts during those days makes it clear why money needs to be raised right now to fund the research to find a cure.
It is through the bravery of our honorees that keeps the fight real and us going and in check and reminds us daily why we are doing this fund-raiser. I feel if you know of the fight Tressa doing her best trying to beat this disease before it took her life you will then be in a better place to judge exactly why our fund-raising goals must be reached.
My team is committed to raising $50,000.00. But how do we get there in two short months? Foremost is the generosity of you reading this blog, and then it takes a dedicated team and a solid plan. There are four very determined and focused team members in this challenge to raise the dollars that will go toward blood cancers research. You met me now let me introduce the other members.
First there's Steve, who reached out and involved me to raise these needed dollars for research. He is also the campaign manager. I have known him for over ten years. He was always there for me and the cause during the years when I chaired the Bob and Tom Radiothon that raised over a half million dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The campaign manager is a critical position so I am thankful that Steve is filling that role.
Then there is my mom, aka Jo. To say she is the "queen" of fund-raising would be an understatement. Over her lifetime she has very successfully found the money for several cancer related causes principally in the NYC area. At 75 she truly has the energy of someone twenty years her junior. Mom is thrilled to be involved, share ideas that worked for her and see that we accomplish our $50,000.00 goal.
And then my husband Tom. You can't do this type of condensed two month campaign and go through all the ups and downs of fund-raising for a cause like this one unless you have a supportive partner who will do what it takes to help to make sure the goals are realized and the $50,000.00 banked for LLS reseach.
So there you have the core four who will be laying out the plan and putting it in to action. I will reach out to other, maybe you, to ask for help in some form or another toward this effort. I am hopeful there will be some additional "muscle" in this heavy lifting. It is exciting to find others who are similarly committed toward an aggressive goal of fund-raising for research toward the eventual cure for these dreaded blood cancers. And of course equally helpful is people volunteering to simply reach out to their own networks causing a fantastic 'snowball effect'.
So the next steps include getting others believing in what we are doing and involved in the cause! I'll keep you posted on those efforts.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Day One…of 98 Days
Am I crazy? What was I thinking? Can I really do all of this? With a full time job and my daughter’s wedding this year, can I fit in the management of a campaign to raise big funds for LLS? Then again, how could I say no to playing a role, albeit small, but then again – my part, in finally, completely, defeating this killer – Leukemia and Lymphoma?
These are some questions echoing in my mind as I contemplated this journey.
The Back story
A few weeks ago I was nominated for the LLS program: Man and Woman of the Year, the national campaign wherein community representatives are recruited to conduct a condensed two month campaign starting in February to raise donations toward the research and cure of blood cancers.
So why in the world would I accept this challenge and add this to an already 55 – 65 hour week? I just couldn’t say no because of a wonderful family I have gotten to know and grown to love. They are the parents of Tressa, a wonderful girl who was diagnosed with leukemia in April 2004 then eight short months later lost her hard fought battle to the insidious disease. There is not a day that goes by that the family is not reminded of the loss of their precious daughter. I want to honor her fight by raising money for this disease and making sure this never happens again. This is very close to my heart you see this summer’s wedding of my daughter and Tressa’s younger cousin Tyler should be the second marriage in the family, instead it is the first and Tressa’s younger sister, Brooke, will be one of the bridesmaids.
Over the next 97 days I will share more about Tressa’s story and why I am compelled to take on this additional challenge to prevent more tragedies like hers. I don’t want to see another child suffer; I don’t want another family realize that they have lost the fight and are forced to bring their daughter home to spend her last few days of life saying goodbye to loved ones. It’s time for a cure!
I'll introduce to you our four person campaign team who are all incredibly dedicated to the cause and share our ideas through this blog, Twitter and Facebook so you can witness firsthand all that we will do.
So perhaps I am a little crazy for taking this on but maybe that will be what it will take to raise the necessary dollars to research and find a cure!
These are some questions echoing in my mind as I contemplated this journey.
The Back story
A few weeks ago I was nominated for the LLS program: Man and Woman of the Year, the national campaign wherein community representatives are recruited to conduct a condensed two month campaign starting in February to raise donations toward the research and cure of blood cancers.
So why in the world would I accept this challenge and add this to an already 55 – 65 hour week? I just couldn’t say no because of a wonderful family I have gotten to know and grown to love. They are the parents of Tressa, a wonderful girl who was diagnosed with leukemia in April 2004 then eight short months later lost her hard fought battle to the insidious disease. There is not a day that goes by that the family is not reminded of the loss of their precious daughter. I want to honor her fight by raising money for this disease and making sure this never happens again. This is very close to my heart you see this summer’s wedding of my daughter and Tressa’s younger cousin Tyler should be the second marriage in the family, instead it is the first and Tressa’s younger sister, Brooke, will be one of the bridesmaids.
Over the next 97 days I will share more about Tressa’s story and why I am compelled to take on this additional challenge to prevent more tragedies like hers. I don’t want to see another child suffer; I don’t want another family realize that they have lost the fight and are forced to bring their daughter home to spend her last few days of life saying goodbye to loved ones. It’s time for a cure!
I'll introduce to you our four person campaign team who are all incredibly dedicated to the cause and share our ideas through this blog, Twitter and Facebook so you can witness firsthand all that we will do.
So perhaps I am a little crazy for taking this on but maybe that will be what it will take to raise the necessary dollars to research and find a cure!
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