ooh Jennifer I really like yoru letters, I will do this idea next year!
Here is mine this year, I change it each year.
It is that time of year again and I wonder if you can help me with a very special request.
The path to finding a cure for CF is paved with numerous research opportunities - any one of which could have a profound impact on the lives of those with the disease. The only thing standing in the way of a cure is additional money to fund this life-saving research. I have made a commitment to help raise the money so desperately needed because I would like to help kids who have the disease and are not fortunate enough to be doing as well as I am. Since many of you only know how the disease affects me I wanted to share a more typical story with you all so please see my friend's description of her daughter below.
On May19, Jared and I will be participating in the Great Strides walk again to raise money and awareness for the CF Foundation. As a participant, I have committed to raise $1,500 and for my team to raise $5,000.
I have enclosed a self-addressed envelope for your convenience. Please consider making a donation of $200, $100, $50 or whatever you can afford. You may make your check payable to the "Cystic Fibrosis Foundation."
I would like to raise the money by May 10; however, I will gladly accept any and all donations after that date, and after the walk as well. Any amount that you can donate will be greatly appreciated and all contributions are 100 percent tax deductible.
I sincerely appreciate your support and generosity and I will keep you posted on my progress.
Warmest regards,
Nicole
My daughter Emily is 17 months old. She is active, funny and absolutely adorable. For parts of each day, it is easy to forget that she has a terrible, life-shortening disease. But, the "forgetting" lasts only until it is time for a treatment, a dose of medicine, or until she coughs. Every hour, there are reminders that Emily has Cystic Fibrosis.
We are fortunate that we live in a state that tests for CF in its mandatory newborn screening. we knew within days after her birth that Emily had CF, and she started on digestive enzymes and chest physiotherapy the same day. We are being as preventative as we can be. That means that we spend several hours each day "pounding" Emily's chest to loosen thick mucus that can potentially clog her lungs. We administer breathing treatments via a nebulizer and an inhaler. We give her several oral medications daily. We spend hours sterilizing all of this equipment and making sure that we are protecting her from as many 'germs" as we can. Keeping her healthy is our top priority. Letting her be a normal kid is a close second. We work very hard to find a balance.
Emily has been hospitalized. She is in the pediatrician's office almost weekly. She is small for her age and people often remark that she looks "sick." These are all things that will be a permanent part of our lives. We can do little to change that. We can, however, work to raise money to help find a cure. If not a cure, then new and improved medicines and therapies that can guarantee Emily more than the expected average of 36 years. I am thirty six. My life is just beginning. I can not accept that hers could be over before it begins.
Here's a link to our montage: <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/my...&utm_medium=text_url">http://www.onetruemedia.com/my...&utm_medium=text_url</a>