FUNDRAISING-St. Jude Thanks and Giving Walk/Thanks and Giving Campaign and “Red Carpet for Hope” Golden Globes Viewing party on January 11, 2015

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Fill-Anthropy

Suddenly, it seems to be that time of year again.  Yes, the holiday season!  As a St. Jude parent, I will always associate the St. Jude Walk and the Thanks and Giving Campaign with the holiday season.

Oddly, I look upon my own time spent at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the 2008 holiday season with a degree of Fondness and spiritual Fulfillment.  While living through it however, I wasn’t remotely Feeling that way.  It’s Fascinating to me that in retrospect, it was meaningful in a multitude of ways.

The St. Jude Walk takes place across the country in various cities and was established at different times in different places.  The First St. Jude walk in Minnesota took place in 2008.  The First one I participated in was in 2010. Next weekend (November 22nd) will be my Fifth time participating.  Our family walks for “Team Dylan”.  Dylan was a patient who was in cancer treatment at St. Jude at approximately the same time as my daughter.  I could and should dedicate an entire blog post to him!!!  I will summarize today by saying that he was an extraordinary human being.  He was all of 14 years old when I First met him and he deeply touched my heart and soul.  His Birthday is this week, November 19th.  He would have been 21 years old.  His life was cut wayyyy too short by “effing” CANCER! Dylan called my daughter, Marit,  his “Chemo Hero”.  He claimed it was because he was a Football player and she was a tiny, Fragile girl who he witnessed deal with the same treatment he did.  She was approximately 4 weeks ahead of him in the protocol.  Therefore, she got to tell him what to anticipate in the course of treatment.  He completed treatment within 6 weeks of her.  Unfortunately, in the Fall of 2009, Dylan’s cancer recurred.  The day after he Found out his cancer had recurred he lead the St. Jude Walk at the Mall of America.  This is a video of Dylan addressing the crowd at the Minneapolis second annual St. Jude walk :

I can only imagine the strength and courage it took to get in Front of the crowd that morning to deliver this inspiring message, knowing that he may not even be here in his earthly body a year later.  That’s the kind of remarkable person he was at the tender age of just 16.  I can truly say that Dylan is living on through all he inspired some of us to continue doing on behalf of the kids at St. Jude.

The Thanks and Giving Campaign launched in 2004. 2014 will be its 11th campaign season. Ironically, my husband had a hand in its inception, creation and execution 4-5 years before Marit was diagnosed and treated at St. Jude.  It was Marlo’s idea to increase corporate sponsorships in raising Funding for St. Jude.  Target became one of it’s Forerunning supporters and each year more retailers participate by asking for a donation at the point of sale or by purchasing specialty items benefiting St. Jude.   The year my daughter’s treatment ended (2009) we were honored to be asked to participate as a St. Jude Family by telling our St. Jude story on the TODAY show over that Thanksgiving week.

For me, there is nothing more gratifying that attempting to give back to an organization who has given me/us so much.  It seems as if all the people whom I met and got close to while at St. Jude are also helping in so many ways. Many are raising Funds that go directly to St. Jude.  A Few have established their own Foundations that help others in different ways.  I wanted to take this opportunity for anyone who happens to read this to look into my St. Jude friend’s endeavors. There are so many people in the universe who do so much for others.  It’s impossible to list everyone who helps others but I wanted to highlight these Following Few:

Witschen Family- http://www.dylanwitschenfoundation.com/

Judi Imel- http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=879aed50ab683210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=18d7b33e39683210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD

O’Brien Family- http://www.catieswish.org/

Ives Family- http://sydneyives.com/

I have come to adopt the philosophy that “To whom much is given, much is expected”.  I believe that I was given an opportunity through our Family’s cancer experience, my passion for the cause and personal resources to try to help others as I can.  As a result, I Founded and have continued (along with my husband’s assistance and the help of an outstanding committee comprised of Friends, Family and community members) an annual “Red Carpet for Hope” Fundraising Gala.  We are now absorbed in the details of planning, organizing and promoting this event that will take place on January 11th, 2015.

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Last year’s Minneapolis Gala was successful enough that the fundraising arm of St. Jude, ALSAC (American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities) decided to expand a similar event in both the Chicago and Miami markets.  A goal is to expand the markets further to 10 American cities in 2016.  We were fortunate to officially establish a partnership with the Hollywood Foreign Press- St. Jude is that entity’s only official charitable partner!!!

I’m excited to Chair the event and see it grow in guest size and scope. This year, in addition, our committee has decided to do a spin off  “Teen Gala”.  The teens on the committee are busy planning and Fundraising for the ancillary Gala.

PART OF NEWLY FORMED TEEN COMMITTEE:

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I realize everyone has their own charities based upon their own life experiences.  I just cannot contain myself when it comes to expressing my own sentiment about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and all the good work they do.

If anyone is so inclined, please think about attending this event to help support St. Jude.  Thinking ahead, is there a lot of anything to look forward to after the Holidays in Minnesota?  Think about coming out to the Mall of America, getting dressed up and walking the Red Carpet while supporting the kids at St. Jude.  And if you’re looking for an extravagant gift to give to someone who has everything, maybe a ticket or two to this gala would be unique and appreciated?  I’m looking Forward to seeing as many people as possible in Minneapolis and hoping both the Chicago and Miami events are grand successes too!!!

CLICK ON THE ST. JUDE Red Carpet for Hope PICTURE FOR TICKET INFORMATION

This will likely not be the last time I write about this :).

 

 

 

 

 

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