My mom, with Kiddo...about 2 years ago.In my almost 2 years of blogging, I think this is the first time I will have used the blog for an appeal. But there's always a first time for everything, right? And this is for a cause that especially hits home for me.
This is where the "confession" part of my blog title comes in, because there's something that's been a big part of my life for the last three years that I haven't mentioned in this little online forum up to this point. Most of you probably don't know that my mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's 3 years ago, at age 55. She's a lifelong nurse, a former caseworker for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, a Stephen Minister at her church, a smart, loving, and caring woman, and the best mom (and grandmother!) a person could ask for. I want to do my part to help end this disease not only for her, but for the millions of others who have been and will be affected by Alzheimer's.
To that end, I'll be walking in the 2008 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk, which raises money for Alzheimer's research and treatment. The walk here in Lincoln will be on September 21st at 1 PM.
I had originally set a goal of raising $500 for walking, but here's where I ran into a most wonderful problem. The generosity of folks, many of whom I've never met, has been more than I ever could have imagined! 2 days ago was when I first started soliciting donations...and in less than 48 hours, I've raised more than $600!!!!
SO...I've set a NEW goal of raising $1500. A couple of days ago, I would have figured that would be impossible, but now...I think we can not only meet that, but exceed it.
Together, I know we can do this!
Here's a link where you can make a donation. They have buttons for specific donation amounts, but if you click "other" you can make a donation for any amount. Even a dollar will help!!! (btw...if you're not comfortable making an online donation, or would rather just not use a credit card, there's a donation form that you can print out and send in with a check. The link for the form is on the donation page, right underneath the little donation thermometer thingy.)
http://lincolnmw2008.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=269890&u=269890-226978816&e=1807203036
If you have any questions, feel free to comment or send me an email: lutheranhusker at yahoo dot com (thanks to spambots, I can't type out the full address). Also, if you know of anyone who you think might be willing to help out, don't hesitate to send them a link to either this page or my donation page.
And thanks. From the bottom of my heart, thanks. I promise not to turn my blog into a "cause of the month" type of thing, but this is so incredibly important...and personal.
God be with you.
LH
7 comments:
I think that's great! I support you and have already donated! God bless you and all your efforts. I pray a cure comes....but in the mean time, my prayers are with you and your family.
A donation will be on its way shortly. God bless all of you!
I'll be donating! Thank you for doing this, and for sharing about your mom.
Thank you for sharing about your mum. My prayers go with you and her -because I know it ain't easy.
Your post made me get teary-eyed for two reasons. First, I am the same age as your mother, and there is lots of Alzheimer's in my family--and oh man--Alzheimer's at any age is horrible, but early-onset A. is just...unbearable. Except, of course, we do bear it because we must. I lost my sister just a few months ago, also one who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. I'll be donating, and I'll put a link on my blog too. Thank you for doing this.
I jusst read today, am praying and will come back and figure out how to donate, too.
Singing Owl sent me by here and I'm glad she did that too. One question though -have you applied to Thrivent for possible matching funds from your participation in this walk? My kids and I have a team and have walked two years in a row now in the Autism Walk, in honor of my two younger grandkids, both autistic, and we applied for and received matching funds each year from Thrivent. (First year, we got $1,000 and this year, $500!) Check that out for adding to your donations.
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