Dear Friends,
I talked with Kori last night and again this morning; Eddie is not well. There is quite a list of things that are causing difficulty for Eddie, and these things sent him to the ICU again a couple days ago. He's still there today.
For now, delivering meals to them is going to be on hold until their life allows them to return home.
Please continue to pray for Eddie and for Kori. This has been an exhausting week for them both, and also very scary. Yesterday Kori and I talked about why good folks--and innocent children--suffer. We wondered aloud how we can bear up under so much pain. There are not answers to these things. But I was reminded of this past week's Feast of the Holy Innocents (a day within the Christian Church calendar to recall the slaughter of children by Herod at the time of Jesus' birth), and somehow comforted to know that evil, pain, and suffering have been a part of life for a long, long time. In the Christmas story we are reassured that even in the midst of horror, God comes to bring peace. This is unexpected peace--it does not right every wrong, it does not take away all pain. But it is real nonetheless, and good news for those of us who need hope and who can experience spiritual healing in our messy lives. I am praying that somehow, in the midst of such suffering, God will show up for Eddie and Kori in this peace-in-suffering kind of way.
Thank you all for standing with them in this time,
Melissa
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
update on Eddie
Eddie was sent home from the ICU last week. In order to bring him home, Kori has had to learn a lot about his vent, about suctioning his trach, about CPR. They're getting a lot of nursing care--day and night, though not round the clock--but the burden on Kori has been enormous.
I'm so appreciative of the many of you who have brought them meals last month and this month. She honestly doesn't know how else she'd be making it through this time in her life without your support and the financial support Eddie's Fund is providing them. I think it's fair to say that this season has been the worst since Eddie's diagnosis seven years ago; it is taking its toll on Eddie and on their entire family.
Some of you have asked how to brighten their Christmas holiday. My perspective is that we can be a big blessing to Kori by enabling her to do what all moms want to do--buy gifts for her own kids. Eddie's Fund does not provide Kori with holiday funding because Eddie's Fund only pays for bills, and does so directly to the bill companies. If you'd like to send her money for gifts, or gift cards (Target is nearby, as is CVS) please message me (I'm at mnwinchell at hotmail) and I'll be happy to send you her mailing address.
I'm grateful for the many ways you are providing help to our friends. I never could have imagined that Eddie's journey would impact so many when we started Eddie's Fund six and a half years ago. This Christmas, let's be extra-grateful for the health we have, and use our gratitude to encourage those we know who are suffering. Thank you for being light, hope, and help to Eddie and his family.
Blessings to you all,
Melissa
I'm so appreciative of the many of you who have brought them meals last month and this month. She honestly doesn't know how else she'd be making it through this time in her life without your support and the financial support Eddie's Fund is providing them. I think it's fair to say that this season has been the worst since Eddie's diagnosis seven years ago; it is taking its toll on Eddie and on their entire family.
Some of you have asked how to brighten their Christmas holiday. My perspective is that we can be a big blessing to Kori by enabling her to do what all moms want to do--buy gifts for her own kids. Eddie's Fund does not provide Kori with holiday funding because Eddie's Fund only pays for bills, and does so directly to the bill companies. If you'd like to send her money for gifts, or gift cards (Target is nearby, as is CVS) please message me (I'm at mnwinchell at hotmail) and I'll be happy to send you her mailing address.
I'm grateful for the many ways you are providing help to our friends. I never could have imagined that Eddie's journey would impact so many when we started Eddie's Fund six and a half years ago. This Christmas, let's be extra-grateful for the health we have, and use our gratitude to encourage those we know who are suffering. Thank you for being light, hope, and help to Eddie and his family.
Blessings to you all,
Melissa
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
it takes a village
Dear Eddie's Fund Supporters:
A few days ago I told you about a boy named Danny, who used his birthday to raise money for Eddie's Fund. His mom emailed me with the story, and I'd like to share it with you. Here's what she wrote:
When we learned of Eddie's struggles over the years and the financial impact it's had on his family, we wanted to help out Eddie, his mom and little brother in some small way. Danny's 8th birthday party gave us the perfect idea... he simply asked his friends in the spirit of Thanksgiving instead of birthday gifts would they consider giving a small monetary donation to Eddie's fund instead. I have to tell you I am totally blown away by the generosity of Danny's friends' families. Upon hearing Eddie's story and about you two amazing moms [here she's speaking of Melissa and the original person who told her about Eddie's Fund, who Melissa met through online Down syndrome networks and whose own son is undergoing cancer treatments] looking to help them out, calls immediately started coming in, people asking if they could donate meals and truly rallying around Eddie, contributing much more than I had anticipated. Danny was absolutely beaming that night as he counted up the donations for Eddie ... and we were reminded how lucky we are to be surrounded by such thoughtful, supportive friends here in Hingham. As they say "it takes a village" ... I'm so glad my little village here wanted to help out Eddie's village.
Amazing. And all this from a family we've never met, a family who has never met Eddie.
Thanks for building Eddie's "village" larger and larger. We appreciate you all!
Blessings,
Melissa
A few days ago I told you about a boy named Danny, who used his birthday to raise money for Eddie's Fund. His mom emailed me with the story, and I'd like to share it with you. Here's what she wrote:
When we learned of Eddie's struggles over the years and the financial impact it's had on his family, we wanted to help out Eddie, his mom and little brother in some small way. Danny's 8th birthday party gave us the perfect idea... he simply asked his friends in the spirit of Thanksgiving instead of birthday gifts would they consider giving a small monetary donation to Eddie's fund instead. I have to tell you I am totally blown away by the generosity of Danny's friends' families. Upon hearing Eddie's story and about you two amazing moms [here she's speaking of Melissa and the original person who told her about Eddie's Fund, who Melissa met through online Down syndrome networks and whose own son is undergoing cancer treatments] looking to help them out, calls immediately started coming in, people asking if they could donate meals and truly rallying around Eddie, contributing much more than I had anticipated. Danny was absolutely beaming that night as he counted up the donations for Eddie ... and we were reminded how lucky we are to be surrounded by such thoughtful, supportive friends here in Hingham. As they say "it takes a village" ... I'm so glad my little village here wanted to help out Eddie's village.
Amazing. And all this from a family we've never met, a family who has never met Eddie.
Thanks for building Eddie's "village" larger and larger. We appreciate you all!
Blessings,
Melissa
Friday, November 23, 2012
it's gift-giving time
Dear Eddie's Fund Supporters,
Happy Black Friday to you all! I don't know about your family, but ours did all we could to avoid the onslaught of shoppers this morning. In fact, we found ourselves the lone family at a tree farm this morning; we figured most everyone else was probably at the mall (and, in full disclosure here, if you were, I'm rather jealous your holiday shopping is already underway as my list-making has just begun).
And speaking of list-making: There are always people on our holiday lists that stump us, aren't there? The boss at work. The colleague. The in-law. The something-conscious person you're pretty sure you would offend by buying not-local-enough, or not-organic-enough, or...
I've found myself, year after year, turning more and more to donations for people on my list. Donating in someone's name is a really beautiful way for me to express to someone that they were not forgotten at holiday time, and that their kindness to me is being "paid forward" in some way in the world.
This holiday season, I hope you'll consider donating in someone's name to Eddie's Fund.
And if you do, we'll be happy to send you our "happy holidays" gift card via email. You can print it out and slip it into a card for that special (or confounding) someone.
If you'd like to see our gift card, you can view it online at: http://bit.ly/10HK2dd
A donation of $30 or more from now through the end of December will give you a printable, PDF copy of the gift card for you to print and give away.
Thank you for considering Eddie's Fund in your gift-giving planning this year.
Happy holidays from Eddie's family, and ours,
Melissa
Thursday, November 22, 2012
just one boy with a big, big heart
I have an amazing story to share with you.
Over the last week and half or so Eddie's Fund began receiving donations from people I didn't know. They had one thing in common: They all live in Hingham, MA.
Here's the thing: I only know one person who lives in Hingham who knows of Eddie's Fund. Maybe two months ago a woman I hadn't even met (but to whom I'm connected through our Down syndrome networks) saw Eddie and Kori in Jimmy Fund (her own son is going through chemo), recognized them from my Facebook posts about Eddie, contacted me for their address, and did something really kind for them.
Amazing. Especially because her family is going through their own cancer awfulness.
Apparently, this person (I tell Kori it's her personal angel, as Kori still to this day has not met her) told her friends about Eddie's fund and about our little website here. And apparently (if someone wants to fill me in on this story, I'd love to hear it) one of those friends has a son. And the son had a birthday (I think it may even be today), and was turning 10 (I think?), and asked all his friends NOT to give him gifts.
Instead, he asked, would they donate to this boy Eddie he had heard about?
And so, for about 2 weeks, Eddie's Fund has been receiving donations from about a dozen families or so. And they have given as they could. And they have been so very generous.
In fact, as of today, this boy's birthday idea has raised $925 for Eddie's Fund.
Managing Eddie's Fund is a tricky thing. On the one hand, I really want to pay the family car off as soon as we can. On the other, if we send in extra money for the car, but then have a month when there's not enough in the Fund to make the usual payment, we put Eddie's family in a really hard spot.
So mostly, we've been making the usual car payments lately.
But I want to tell our new Hingham friends, and our new friend Danny, that ALL of the money you guys have raised is going to the principal of that car. Through you, we are going to cut MONTHS and MONTHS off of that car loan. You are literally making it possible for Kori to do what she does as a single mom--to be with Eddie in Boston and to go back and forth each day to be with her other son at home, too. Thank you, thank you for that.
And to our new friend--and Eddie's Fund Hero--Danny: May you have the best birthday ever. You have a huge heart for a not-so-old guy. Happy birthday to a boy we think personifies all the kindness and goodness Eddie's Fund hopes to represent in this world. Happy birthday, and thank you.
Over the last week and half or so Eddie's Fund began receiving donations from people I didn't know. They had one thing in common: They all live in Hingham, MA.
Here's the thing: I only know one person who lives in Hingham who knows of Eddie's Fund. Maybe two months ago a woman I hadn't even met (but to whom I'm connected through our Down syndrome networks) saw Eddie and Kori in Jimmy Fund (her own son is going through chemo), recognized them from my Facebook posts about Eddie, contacted me for their address, and did something really kind for them.
Amazing. Especially because her family is going through their own cancer awfulness.
Apparently, this person (I tell Kori it's her personal angel, as Kori still to this day has not met her) told her friends about Eddie's fund and about our little website here. And apparently (if someone wants to fill me in on this story, I'd love to hear it) one of those friends has a son. And the son had a birthday (I think it may even be today), and was turning 10 (I think?), and asked all his friends NOT to give him gifts.
Instead, he asked, would they donate to this boy Eddie he had heard about?
And so, for about 2 weeks, Eddie's Fund has been receiving donations from about a dozen families or so. And they have given as they could. And they have been so very generous.
In fact, as of today, this boy's birthday idea has raised $925 for Eddie's Fund.
Managing Eddie's Fund is a tricky thing. On the one hand, I really want to pay the family car off as soon as we can. On the other, if we send in extra money for the car, but then have a month when there's not enough in the Fund to make the usual payment, we put Eddie's family in a really hard spot.
So mostly, we've been making the usual car payments lately.
But I want to tell our new Hingham friends, and our new friend Danny, that ALL of the money you guys have raised is going to the principal of that car. Through you, we are going to cut MONTHS and MONTHS off of that car loan. You are literally making it possible for Kori to do what she does as a single mom--to be with Eddie in Boston and to go back and forth each day to be with her other son at home, too. Thank you, thank you for that.
And to our new friend--and Eddie's Fund Hero--Danny: May you have the best birthday ever. You have a huge heart for a not-so-old guy. Happy birthday to a boy we think personifies all the kindness and goodness Eddie's Fund hopes to represent in this world. Happy birthday, and thank you.
on gratitude
Happy Thanksgiving, Eddie's Fund friends.
The large sign on Eddie's door this morning read: "When do I go home?" Another, again in his handwriting, hangs in his room: "You try living here for a month." The picture he's drawn shows a boy in a jail cell.
This is how my Thanksgiving began today; Eddie in his own words confronting me--and all who come to doctor him in the ICU--with the reality of his situation. The suffering. The heartache. The pain. The awful waiting for a life that does not yet come.
After reading that first sign, I had to collect myself before knocking on the sliding glass door of his room; I know that Kori is absolute that people do not cry in front of Eddie. I stood for a moment, willing the tears to go away. She's right. Eddie deserves joy. The energy I bring with me into that place should be positive, and hopeful, and life-giving. So I waited for the grief to pass, and knocked.
We visited together, the three of us, for nearly 2 hours. The mood there was upbeat, and bright, and light. Eddie is, as you can see here, in rough shape. He's unable to speak. But for all the suffering (Kori told me of the awful day they had yesterday, as doctors poked Eddie over and over in vain attempts to find his port), there was palpable Love in that room. And I could see--as I sat with Kori and Eddie--that the Love was breathing life into them, even as the ventilator clicks away. Kori suctioned his tracheotomy so many times I lost count; she was constantly at his side, scratching his itchy skin, adjusting leads, suctioning, pushing buttons, administering medications. I helped when I could--surely one of the benefits of being so often in the hospital is this, that I am not intimidated by the beeps and the machines and the wires, and know my way around them a bit. But mostly I watched, and talked with them, and cheered them on in any way I could, with words, and a book to read, and hugs, and cards, and high-fives. And a picture Moriah had colored that I brought for Eddie. That got a smile.
What do you do when the suffering is so large, so awful, that it threatens to destroy us all, leaving us scrambling for meaning, and some semblance of control, and even a reason to live?
If I were to ask Kori this question, I know what she would tell me. Gratitude. She is, honestly, one of the most grateful people I've ever met in my life. If Eddie's not breathing well, she's likely to say she's grateful for the vent. If Eddie's itchy, she's likely to be grateful for the nurse who brings Benadryl. If she has to wait in line to take a shower in a whole other part of the hospital (which she does), she talks about how grateful it makes her for her very own shower at home. If they are in the hospital on yet another holiday (as they are today), she's grateful that someone is bringing a turkey dinner to her house. She is absolutely resolute in her gratitude.
I used to think this sort of gratitude was pithy. I mean, really?! How can a person faced with so much awfulness be so positive? But then you reach a new low, and you realize: It's what you have. It's the only choice you have. Life is not going to necessarily go the way you want. The future is really, really unclear. What can you do today about it? Give thanks anyway. Choose kindness. Summon God's energy and live in a room in the ICU with peace and joy.
Kori was effusive in her thanks today--for my visit, sure, but for all of you. For all you've done. For the funds you've raised and donated. For the meals feeding Marshall, meals she's often bringing as leftovers to the hospital. For gift cards you've sent, letters you've mailed. As she puts it, she doesn't know what she would do without Eddie's Fund. She told me that again today.
But here's what I want to say to Kori, who will surely read these words soon: We don't know what we'd do without you. You are lighting a path for all of us. And today, even with all the burdens we each carry, all the forms of craziness with which we all contend, we learn from you, and we choose to give thanks. You are teaching us that. You are a light showing us the way to Love.
Happy Thanksgiving to one of my favorite families, ever. I love you guys more than I can possibly say and am so grateful for time with you both this morning.
Melissa
The large sign on Eddie's door this morning read: "When do I go home?" Another, again in his handwriting, hangs in his room: "You try living here for a month." The picture he's drawn shows a boy in a jail cell.
This is how my Thanksgiving began today; Eddie in his own words confronting me--and all who come to doctor him in the ICU--with the reality of his situation. The suffering. The heartache. The pain. The awful waiting for a life that does not yet come.
After reading that first sign, I had to collect myself before knocking on the sliding glass door of his room; I know that Kori is absolute that people do not cry in front of Eddie. I stood for a moment, willing the tears to go away. She's right. Eddie deserves joy. The energy I bring with me into that place should be positive, and hopeful, and life-giving. So I waited for the grief to pass, and knocked.
We visited together, the three of us, for nearly 2 hours. The mood there was upbeat, and bright, and light. Eddie is, as you can see here, in rough shape. He's unable to speak. But for all the suffering (Kori told me of the awful day they had yesterday, as doctors poked Eddie over and over in vain attempts to find his port), there was palpable Love in that room. And I could see--as I sat with Kori and Eddie--that the Love was breathing life into them, even as the ventilator clicks away. Kori suctioned his tracheotomy so many times I lost count; she was constantly at his side, scratching his itchy skin, adjusting leads, suctioning, pushing buttons, administering medications. I helped when I could--surely one of the benefits of being so often in the hospital is this, that I am not intimidated by the beeps and the machines and the wires, and know my way around them a bit. But mostly I watched, and talked with them, and cheered them on in any way I could, with words, and a book to read, and hugs, and cards, and high-fives. And a picture Moriah had colored that I brought for Eddie. That got a smile.
What do you do when the suffering is so large, so awful, that it threatens to destroy us all, leaving us scrambling for meaning, and some semblance of control, and even a reason to live?
If I were to ask Kori this question, I know what she would tell me. Gratitude. She is, honestly, one of the most grateful people I've ever met in my life. If Eddie's not breathing well, she's likely to say she's grateful for the vent. If Eddie's itchy, she's likely to be grateful for the nurse who brings Benadryl. If she has to wait in line to take a shower in a whole other part of the hospital (which she does), she talks about how grateful it makes her for her very own shower at home. If they are in the hospital on yet another holiday (as they are today), she's grateful that someone is bringing a turkey dinner to her house. She is absolutely resolute in her gratitude.
I used to think this sort of gratitude was pithy. I mean, really?! How can a person faced with so much awfulness be so positive? But then you reach a new low, and you realize: It's what you have. It's the only choice you have. Life is not going to necessarily go the way you want. The future is really, really unclear. What can you do today about it? Give thanks anyway. Choose kindness. Summon God's energy and live in a room in the ICU with peace and joy.
Kori was effusive in her thanks today--for my visit, sure, but for all of you. For all you've done. For the funds you've raised and donated. For the meals feeding Marshall, meals she's often bringing as leftovers to the hospital. For gift cards you've sent, letters you've mailed. As she puts it, she doesn't know what she would do without Eddie's Fund. She told me that again today.
But here's what I want to say to Kori, who will surely read these words soon: We don't know what we'd do without you. You are lighting a path for all of us. And today, even with all the burdens we each carry, all the forms of craziness with which we all contend, we learn from you, and we choose to give thanks. You are teaching us that. You are a light showing us the way to Love.
Happy Thanksgiving to one of my favorite families, ever. I love you guys more than I can possibly say and am so grateful for time with you both this morning.
Melissa
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
THANK YOU!!!!!
For all of you that don't know me, I'm Eddie's mom! I'm glad I've finally got the time and opportunity to personally thank everyone for all your prayers, donations, and well wishes. I would like to express how touched I am by the outpouring of support and generosity of so many. Thank you to those who have donated directly to Eddie's Fund and have sent meals to our home.
Your donations have certainly helped ease the costs associated with Eddie's many lengthy hospitalization stays in many ways (car payments, utility bills, rent, ect) and the meals have been wonderful and a huge help especially where I have been commuting back and forth between home and the hospital so that I can spend time with both of my boys. Having not to worry about meals and bills has allowed me to spend more time with each of them. Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your ongoing support, it means so much to me and my family.
Please continue to pray that we receive a Christmas miracle for Eddie and receive new lungs. We are currently at the top of the list waiting to receive a double lung transplant. During this holiday season we could certainly use the donations to Eddie's fund. 100% of the funds go directly to help our family! May everyone have a happy and healthy holiday season.
Love to all
Kori (Eddie's mom)
Your donations have certainly helped ease the costs associated with Eddie's many lengthy hospitalization stays in many ways (car payments, utility bills, rent, ect) and the meals have been wonderful and a huge help especially where I have been commuting back and forth between home and the hospital so that I can spend time with both of my boys. Having not to worry about meals and bills has allowed me to spend more time with each of them. Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your ongoing support, it means so much to me and my family.
Please continue to pray that we receive a Christmas miracle for Eddie and receive new lungs. We are currently at the top of the list waiting to receive a double lung transplant. During this holiday season we could certainly use the donations to Eddie's fund. 100% of the funds go directly to help our family! May everyone have a happy and healthy holiday season.
Love to all
Kori (Eddie's mom)
Saturday, November 10, 2012
pizza-gifts
Dear Friends,
Since we began our online Help Calendar, Eddie's family have had meals delivered to their home every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You all really are amazing!
This past Wednesday, Mandee's Pizza was at the door with a pizza Eddie's grandfather had not ordered. At first, he didn't understand that the pizza really was for them; when he realized another one of you good souls had sent it their way, Eddie's brother Marshall said: "See, Papa, I told you! I told you!" When Kori shared this story with me, it struck me how Marshall's experience in these last two weeks is to EXPECT goodies to appear at his door. You have created this sense of expectation, and I'm not sure there is anything more beautiful than that--to teach a child surrounded by so much suffering to expect good people to care, to count on grace, to be confident that Love will nourish.
(And check out how adorable he is, above; Eddie's grandpa took this photo and asked Kori to text it to me as a thank you to us all).
Thank you, friends! Your goodness goes on and on. When folks suffer, we who stand by have opportunity to shower grace and blessing into their lives, to bear witness to the pain, and to light the way to hope, provision, and love. You have done that and I'm so very grateful.
(If you'd like to sign up to bring a meal, or have a meal delivered, please visit our Help Calendar at https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/664128/ and click on "Join This Community").
Thanking God today for all your goodness in the midst of so much heartache.
Much love,
Melissa
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
meals for Eddie's family--no matter where you live
Eddie's mom, Kori, has been so grateful for the meals we've delivered so far to her dad and her other son. I'm especially grateful to you; Kori is wearing herself out going back and forth each day from Eddie's side to her son in Salem, trying to spread herself out between her two boys as much as she can. So I'm so thankful for the ways you've stepped in to bring practical, needed help three days a week to their home.
If you are not in Salem but would like to be a part of our meal-delivery efforts, I've had a brainstorm: What about if you called a local establishment on a particular night (you can sign up for this evening on our online calendar by using the link below) and have it delivered to them? If you do this, please do tell the food delivery folks to leave the food if no one answers (it can be left at the front door). And, don't forget to pay the tip ahead of time when you place your order. Local sub shops in Salem and Lynn are ideal.
Use this link if you'd like to join us: https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/664128/
Once you're there, click the "Join this Community" link and fill out the request form. Because this is a private community, please be sure to let me and my friend Rebekah (who is helping me manage the site) know how we know you, so that we can ensure that Eddie's home information is shared only among friends. Once you're approved, you'll receive an email with your approval notification and an invite to sign in to the community.
Once you're in, please use our Help Calendar to choose a date for bringing or delivering a meal to Salem. And if you can, tell us what you're bringing/having delivered so we can all do our best to give them some variety along the way. Kori's dad and son are easy--they eat everything and have no dietary restrictions.
For now, we've added meal opportunities for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. If we can fill these, we can add others. Thank you, friends, for loving on Eddie and his family with us. We appreciate you more than we can say.
If you are not in Salem but would like to be a part of our meal-delivery efforts, I've had a brainstorm: What about if you called a local establishment on a particular night (you can sign up for this evening on our online calendar by using the link below) and have it delivered to them? If you do this, please do tell the food delivery folks to leave the food if no one answers (it can be left at the front door). And, don't forget to pay the tip ahead of time when you place your order. Local sub shops in Salem and Lynn are ideal.
Use this link if you'd like to join us: https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/664128/
Once you're there, click the "Join this Community" link and fill out the request form. Because this is a private community, please be sure to let me and my friend Rebekah (who is helping me manage the site) know how we know you, so that we can ensure that Eddie's home information is shared only among friends. Once you're approved, you'll receive an email with your approval notification and an invite to sign in to the community.
Once you're in, please use our Help Calendar to choose a date for bringing or delivering a meal to Salem. And if you can, tell us what you're bringing/having delivered so we can all do our best to give them some variety along the way. Kori's dad and son are easy--they eat everything and have no dietary restrictions.
For now, we've added meal opportunities for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. If we can fill these, we can add others. Thank you, friends, for loving on Eddie and his family with us. We appreciate you more than we can say.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
a hard week
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for your continued prayers for Eddie. He's had a very rough week; yesterday he had a tracheostomy to aid him with his breathing. As you can imagine, this step has taken quite a toll on Eddie's body and is weighing heavily on his family.
For the next week or so, Eddie will be sedated to give the trach time to heal. He then has a long road ahead as he re-learns to talk, and waits and hopes for a double lung transplant.
I've been so touched by the support so many of you are offering. Practically, Eddie's grandpa could use our help. He's watching Eddie's younger brother and they could use a few home-cooked meals delivered to their house each week. We've set up an online website for this purpose. If you are interested in bringing a meal to Eddie's family in the coming month, please visit this website.
Use this link: https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/664128/
Once you've there, click the "Join this Community" link and fill out the request form. Because this is a private community, please be sure to let me know how I know you (or how you know Eddie), so that we can ensure that Eddie's home information is shared only among friends. Once you're approved, you'll be receive an email with your approval notification and inviting you to sign in to the community.
Once you're in, please use our Help Calendar to choose a date for bringing a meal to Salem. And if you can, tell us what you're bringing so we can all do our best to give them some variety along the way. They're easy--they eat everything and have no dietary restrictions.
For now, we've added meal opportunities for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. If we can fill these, we can add others. Thank you, friends! I dropped off a meal there yesterday and was just so happy to "do" something in what has been such a hard week for them all.
Thank you for bringing hope and help to Eddie with us!
Love,
Melissa
Thank you so much for your continued prayers for Eddie. He's had a very rough week; yesterday he had a tracheostomy to aid him with his breathing. As you can imagine, this step has taken quite a toll on Eddie's body and is weighing heavily on his family.
For the next week or so, Eddie will be sedated to give the trach time to heal. He then has a long road ahead as he re-learns to talk, and waits and hopes for a double lung transplant.
I've been so touched by the support so many of you are offering. Practically, Eddie's grandpa could use our help. He's watching Eddie's younger brother and they could use a few home-cooked meals delivered to their house each week. We've set up an online website for this purpose. If you are interested in bringing a meal to Eddie's family in the coming month, please visit this website.
Use this link: https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/664128/
Once you've there, click the "Join this Community" link and fill out the request form. Because this is a private community, please be sure to let me know how I know you (or how you know Eddie), so that we can ensure that Eddie's home information is shared only among friends. Once you're approved, you'll be receive an email with your approval notification and inviting you to sign in to the community.
Once you're in, please use our Help Calendar to choose a date for bringing a meal to Salem. And if you can, tell us what you're bringing so we can all do our best to give them some variety along the way. They're easy--they eat everything and have no dietary restrictions.
For now, we've added meal opportunities for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. If we can fill these, we can add others. Thank you, friends! I dropped off a meal there yesterday and was just so happy to "do" something in what has been such a hard week for them all.
Thank you for bringing hope and help to Eddie with us!
Love,
Melissa
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Eddie's fighting again
Dear Friends,
A quick post tonight to let you know that Eddie has been really fighting for his life in these last few days. I've been talking with Kori as much as I can--though far less than our usual couple times a week--and we've been texting back and forth a lot. One of Eddie's lungs collapsed last week; he was hospitalized and sent home over the weekend. His breathing was so bad yesterday he was rushed back to Boston and admitted to the ICU. The team there wanted to put in a chest tube; they can't because he's in such bad shape. There's a lot going on and it seems to be changing so quickly, but it seems now that they are hoping that new lungs will become available for Eddie...and fast.
Please pray for our dear friend and his family. We are so worried about them, and so frustrated that they've reached such a crisis point at a time when we're not available to be with them, and exposed to our own set of pneumonia-germs here, too. It makes me sick to my stomach.
Thanks, all.
Take care,
Melissa
P.S. Eddie was in the news last week, even while he was in the hospital (this link is also on the right side of the page, under "Eddie in the News"):
http://www.salemnews.com/sports/x1133187808/Thursdays-area-roundup-Inspired-second-half-sends-Witches-soaring-past-Beverly
A quick post tonight to let you know that Eddie has been really fighting for his life in these last few days. I've been talking with Kori as much as I can--though far less than our usual couple times a week--and we've been texting back and forth a lot. One of Eddie's lungs collapsed last week; he was hospitalized and sent home over the weekend. His breathing was so bad yesterday he was rushed back to Boston and admitted to the ICU. The team there wanted to put in a chest tube; they can't because he's in such bad shape. There's a lot going on and it seems to be changing so quickly, but it seems now that they are hoping that new lungs will become available for Eddie...and fast.
Please pray for our dear friend and his family. We are so worried about them, and so frustrated that they've reached such a crisis point at a time when we're not available to be with them, and exposed to our own set of pneumonia-germs here, too. It makes me sick to my stomach.
Thanks, all.
Take care,
Melissa
P.S. Eddie was in the news last week, even while he was in the hospital (this link is also on the right side of the page, under "Eddie in the News"):
http://www.salemnews.com/sports/x1133187808/Thursdays-area-roundup-Inspired-second-half-sends-Witches-soaring-past-Beverly
Sunday, September 2, 2012
thank you!
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for your GENEROUS donations to Eddie's Fund this month! Together we raised $1,530 for Eddie and his family!
We so appreciate your kindness to them.
We've chosen at random (using random.org) the recipient of the Rockin' August Giveaway's iPod touch, and that person is Amanda C. Thank you all again for participating with Eddie's Fund in caring for Eddie this month.
Eddie is home from the ICU and hospital as of this morning; thank you, too, for praying for him during his procedure this week. The lung transplant team continues to gather data as they hope to move Eddie forward toward getting the two lungs he needs. Kori, his mom, was very moved when I told her on the phone today how much we had raised in just 31 days to see their family through the next few months. You did that. Thank you.
We appreciate your care for this family so much.
Love,
Melissa
Thank you so much for your GENEROUS donations to Eddie's Fund this month! Together we raised $1,530 for Eddie and his family!
We so appreciate your kindness to them.
We've chosen at random (using random.org) the recipient of the Rockin' August Giveaway's iPod touch, and that person is Amanda C. Thank you all again for participating with Eddie's Fund in caring for Eddie this month.
Eddie is home from the ICU and hospital as of this morning; thank you, too, for praying for him during his procedure this week. The lung transplant team continues to gather data as they hope to move Eddie forward toward getting the two lungs he needs. Kori, his mom, was very moved when I told her on the phone today how much we had raised in just 31 days to see their family through the next few months. You did that. Thank you.
We appreciate your care for this family so much.
Love,
Melissa
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
in the news
Our buddy Eddie made the paper today!
Eddie's mom chose to share Eddie's story in support of Jimmy Fund's Radio Telethon; the story captured the interest (and also, as you'll read, a keen sense of injustice) of a Herald reporter, Gerry Callahan, who wrote a heartbreakingly true article about Eddie's fight for today's paper.
You can read the article--use the right sidebar's "Eddie in the News" to link to today's story.
Somehow, reading an "outsider's" perspective on a family we've come to know so well, and love so much, made both Jason and I cry today.
It didn't help that we read the article while standing in the lobby of Children's Hospital this morning, waiting for our own daughter's cardiology appointment, anticipating a big sigh of relief about her progress since her open heart surgery nearly 3 years ago (and that sigh of relief did come).
Somehow, to see our friends still suffer so much, when our son has gone on to such great post-bone marrow transplant health, seems cruelly unfair. And to have "escaped" the medical fires again with our daughter, while Eddie still suffers...it makes us angry, and sad, and wishing we could do more.
So we came home today to do what we could to get the word out about Eddie's Fund. There are just 10 days left to our Rockin' August Giveaway--for every $10 you donate to the Fund, you'll receive 1 entry into our Giveaway for an iPod Touch. But more importantly, we've made it our goal--after so many years of raising funds for this family--to pay off their car, and as soon as we can. Maybe August can be the month for that.
Please join us. Eddie's family shouldn't have to worry about their bills--they've got enough on their plates. Tonight most of us will tuck our healthy kids into bed. Kori, Eddie's mom, will tuck Eddie in and sleep fitfully, waking throughout the night to feed him through a GI tube and to worry about his labored breathing. The world shouldn't be this way. It sucks. But it is. And we can do something to help alleviate the suffering, to bring hope, to help a family know they are not walking alone.
Join us this month in donating to Eddie's Fund.
As always, we appreciate your support and love for a boy you've never met.
With love,
The Winchell family
Eddie's mom chose to share Eddie's story in support of Jimmy Fund's Radio Telethon; the story captured the interest (and also, as you'll read, a keen sense of injustice) of a Herald reporter, Gerry Callahan, who wrote a heartbreakingly true article about Eddie's fight for today's paper.
You can read the article--use the right sidebar's "Eddie in the News" to link to today's story.
Somehow, reading an "outsider's" perspective on a family we've come to know so well, and love so much, made both Jason and I cry today.
It didn't help that we read the article while standing in the lobby of Children's Hospital this morning, waiting for our own daughter's cardiology appointment, anticipating a big sigh of relief about her progress since her open heart surgery nearly 3 years ago (and that sigh of relief did come).
Somehow, to see our friends still suffer so much, when our son has gone on to such great post-bone marrow transplant health, seems cruelly unfair. And to have "escaped" the medical fires again with our daughter, while Eddie still suffers...it makes us angry, and sad, and wishing we could do more.
So we came home today to do what we could to get the word out about Eddie's Fund. There are just 10 days left to our Rockin' August Giveaway--for every $10 you donate to the Fund, you'll receive 1 entry into our Giveaway for an iPod Touch. But more importantly, we've made it our goal--after so many years of raising funds for this family--to pay off their car, and as soon as we can. Maybe August can be the month for that.
Please join us. Eddie's family shouldn't have to worry about their bills--they've got enough on their plates. Tonight most of us will tuck our healthy kids into bed. Kori, Eddie's mom, will tuck Eddie in and sleep fitfully, waking throughout the night to feed him through a GI tube and to worry about his labored breathing. The world shouldn't be this way. It sucks. But it is. And we can do something to help alleviate the suffering, to bring hope, to help a family know they are not walking alone.
Join us this month in donating to Eddie's Fund.
As always, we appreciate your support and love for a boy you've never met.
With love,
The Winchell family
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Rockin' August Giveaway
Happy August 1st!
I'm so grateful for the overwhelming responses from our readers the last few days. Many of you have shared the link to this blog on your Facebook pages--thank you! A few of you are planning to run races this fall to raise money. One of you is already planning a Zumba-thon at your church for October. WOW. I am so, so appreciative of every effort you are making for Eddie and his family.
Here at Eddie's Fund we're trying to do what we can, too. And so Eddie's Fund is launching another Giveaway this month, as we work to pay OFF Eddie's family's new car.
For every $10 you donate to the Fund in the month of August, you'll earn one (1) entry towards a 4th Generation iPod touch (32 GB). If you've never owned an iPod before (or are looking to upgrade to the very cool new iPods), this is your chance to hear your favorite tunes in style.
That's right. An iPod Touch!
So if you donate $10, you'll earn 1 entry; $20 will get you 2 entries, $50 will get you five entries, $100 10 entries, and so on.
As before, Eddie's Fund will choose the lucky donor using an online site that randomly selects for us.
Share the news with your family and friends! The Rockin' August Giveaway is our way to say THANK YOU for donating to the Fund...and for caring for Eddie and his family.
You can donate online using the "Donate" Pay Pal button in the right sidebar of this website. Eddie's Fund will receive word of your donation (and your email address) from PayPal; we'll use that email address to contact our happy donor on the last day of the month.
We appreciate you! Thanks for Rockin' August with us for Eddie!
With thanks,
Melissa for Eddie and his family
I'm so grateful for the overwhelming responses from our readers the last few days. Many of you have shared the link to this blog on your Facebook pages--thank you! A few of you are planning to run races this fall to raise money. One of you is already planning a Zumba-thon at your church for October. WOW. I am so, so appreciative of every effort you are making for Eddie and his family.
Here at Eddie's Fund we're trying to do what we can, too. And so Eddie's Fund is launching another Giveaway this month, as we work to pay OFF Eddie's family's new car.
For every $10 you donate to the Fund in the month of August, you'll earn one (1) entry towards a 4th Generation iPod touch (32 GB). If you've never owned an iPod before (or are looking to upgrade to the very cool new iPods), this is your chance to hear your favorite tunes in style.
That's right. An iPod Touch!
So if you donate $10, you'll earn 1 entry; $20 will get you 2 entries, $50 will get you five entries, $100 10 entries, and so on.
As before, Eddie's Fund will choose the lucky donor using an online site that randomly selects for us.
Share the news with your family and friends! The Rockin' August Giveaway is our way to say THANK YOU for donating to the Fund...and for caring for Eddie and his family.
You can donate online using the "Donate" Pay Pal button in the right sidebar of this website. Eddie's Fund will receive word of your donation (and your email address) from PayPal; we'll use that email address to contact our happy donor on the last day of the month.
We appreciate you! Thanks for Rockin' August with us for Eddie!
With thanks,
Melissa for Eddie and his family
Sunday, July 29, 2012
another transplant?!
Hi friends!
I'm so grateful for so many of you who continue to follow Eddie's progress here and on our Facebook page. (If you're not a member there, please find me on Facebook and I'll be happy to add you). Those of you on Facebook know that these last few months for Eddie haven't been easy.
I've lost track of the number of times since our Spring Giveaway Eddie's been in and out of the hospital. A bunch. And every time, he's been in ICU. He's really had a lot of struggles with his breathing, and required bipap and a lung biopsy. The doctors felt that he may have Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD, or transplant rejection disease) in his lungs.
They were right. Sort of. He's got GVH and something else, and it's enough of a mess in there that they're encouraging Eddie's mom to add him to the lung transplant list.
That's right. I said lung transplant.
Our buddy, who survived a bone marrow transplant six years ago, and hasn't yet recovered fully from it (though he is, thank goodness, aplastic-anemia-free), is now undergoing tests and in and out of a bunch of a meetings to determine if he can be added to the list, and how far down he'd be.
Lots of you ask me sometimes how Eddie's mom, Kori, keeps going. She tells me she'll keep going as long as Eddie has fight in him. But honestly, friends, I've never seen them this worn out, this stressed, this shocked.
I'm shocked, and I was pretty sure I couldn't be shocked much anymore.
Obviously, I don't know all the details. Lately Kori and I have been catching up on the phone in between her daily visits in and out of Boston (or their hospital stays) and our conversations are sometimes briefer than we wish they could be. But I know it's serious. I know that bone marrow transplant team, and I know they wouldn't even talk with Kori about the option of a lung transplant if they didn't feel it WAS an option.
I'm scared for Eddie. And for her. How does a mom survive another round with a totally different kind of transplant? How will the family pull through this time?
In the meantime, I've been so encouraged by your donations this past spring. In a very awful twist of irony, their family car (which Eddie's Fund had just finally paid off this past fall) was totaled by a truck while Kori was bringing Eddie home from the hospital one afternoon. Thankfully, they were not injured...the semi realized he was crushing them before he got too far. But the car was totaled, and they needed another...and now, friends, Eddie's Fund is trying to rise to the occasion again and help them out by paying their car payments every month. It's one way I know we can help to alleviate the cost of their life; a consistent bill we can pay, and we will.
(By the way, my real goal is to pay off the entire car, at about $9,000, but with a dissertation study looming this fall, I'm trying to recognize my limitations and realize I can't plan a huge fundraiser just yet. But if you're interested in helping me pull one together, maybe we can plan one for spring or next summer. It just kills me to pay interest for years on a used car, and I know if we got enough people out to an event--a dinner, an auction, a Zumba-thon, a race--we could raise the money in one evening).
We'll pay those car bills this year. When Orilus and I first started Eddie's Fund, we thought we'd help out for a few months. A few months has turned into 6 years. Along the way, Kori and I keep looking for ways to increase the family's financial independence, but the crises in their life--their need for immediate, ongoing relief efforts--have just not subsided. So thank you, friends. Thank you for understanding that a family you haven't really met really is out there, and really does need our help, and for trusting that 100% of all you've given is paying bills and keeping this family going in and out of Boston, and keeping their lights on, and their medical bills as up-to-date as we can. I pay all their bills directly--from Eddie's Fund right to the electric company, or hospital, or bank--and I'm always humbled to think that Eddie's family trusts me to do that, and to be that involved in their financial lives.
I wanted to share this update with you tonight. And I wanted you to know that you're amazing. I'm so grateful that you've walked with Eddie through these long years; I know that I wouldn't have been able to bear seeing Eddie suffer so much without knowing there were handfuls of folks out there cheering him on through Eddie's Fund. I hope you'll join with me this month in praying for wisdom for this family, as they are faced with so many tough decisions about his future care and will certainly make a decision about the lung transplant very soon.
And stay tuned...I'll be launching a new giveaway (a simple fundraiser I can run from behind a laptop during a busy fall semester) very soon. In the meantime, if you'd like to donate, we're grateful--and it's easy! Use the PayPal button on the right side of this website to donate online, or if you prefer to use snail mail, you'll find the address to Eddie's Fund at Eastern Bank there, too.
Much love, and all my thanks,
Melissa
I'm so grateful for so many of you who continue to follow Eddie's progress here and on our Facebook page. (If you're not a member there, please find me on Facebook and I'll be happy to add you). Those of you on Facebook know that these last few months for Eddie haven't been easy.
I've lost track of the number of times since our Spring Giveaway Eddie's been in and out of the hospital. A bunch. And every time, he's been in ICU. He's really had a lot of struggles with his breathing, and required bipap and a lung biopsy. The doctors felt that he may have Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD, or transplant rejection disease) in his lungs.
They were right. Sort of. He's got GVH and something else, and it's enough of a mess in there that they're encouraging Eddie's mom to add him to the lung transplant list.
That's right. I said lung transplant.
Our buddy, who survived a bone marrow transplant six years ago, and hasn't yet recovered fully from it (though he is, thank goodness, aplastic-anemia-free), is now undergoing tests and in and out of a bunch of a meetings to determine if he can be added to the list, and how far down he'd be.
Lots of you ask me sometimes how Eddie's mom, Kori, keeps going. She tells me she'll keep going as long as Eddie has fight in him. But honestly, friends, I've never seen them this worn out, this stressed, this shocked.
I'm shocked, and I was pretty sure I couldn't be shocked much anymore.
Obviously, I don't know all the details. Lately Kori and I have been catching up on the phone in between her daily visits in and out of Boston (or their hospital stays) and our conversations are sometimes briefer than we wish they could be. But I know it's serious. I know that bone marrow transplant team, and I know they wouldn't even talk with Kori about the option of a lung transplant if they didn't feel it WAS an option.
I'm scared for Eddie. And for her. How does a mom survive another round with a totally different kind of transplant? How will the family pull through this time?
In the meantime, I've been so encouraged by your donations this past spring. In a very awful twist of irony, their family car (which Eddie's Fund had just finally paid off this past fall) was totaled by a truck while Kori was bringing Eddie home from the hospital one afternoon. Thankfully, they were not injured...the semi realized he was crushing them before he got too far. But the car was totaled, and they needed another...and now, friends, Eddie's Fund is trying to rise to the occasion again and help them out by paying their car payments every month. It's one way I know we can help to alleviate the cost of their life; a consistent bill we can pay, and we will.
(By the way, my real goal is to pay off the entire car, at about $9,000, but with a dissertation study looming this fall, I'm trying to recognize my limitations and realize I can't plan a huge fundraiser just yet. But if you're interested in helping me pull one together, maybe we can plan one for spring or next summer. It just kills me to pay interest for years on a used car, and I know if we got enough people out to an event--a dinner, an auction, a Zumba-thon, a race--we could raise the money in one evening).
We'll pay those car bills this year. When Orilus and I first started Eddie's Fund, we thought we'd help out for a few months. A few months has turned into 6 years. Along the way, Kori and I keep looking for ways to increase the family's financial independence, but the crises in their life--their need for immediate, ongoing relief efforts--have just not subsided. So thank you, friends. Thank you for understanding that a family you haven't really met really is out there, and really does need our help, and for trusting that 100% of all you've given is paying bills and keeping this family going in and out of Boston, and keeping their lights on, and their medical bills as up-to-date as we can. I pay all their bills directly--from Eddie's Fund right to the electric company, or hospital, or bank--and I'm always humbled to think that Eddie's family trusts me to do that, and to be that involved in their financial lives.
I wanted to share this update with you tonight. And I wanted you to know that you're amazing. I'm so grateful that you've walked with Eddie through these long years; I know that I wouldn't have been able to bear seeing Eddie suffer so much without knowing there were handfuls of folks out there cheering him on through Eddie's Fund. I hope you'll join with me this month in praying for wisdom for this family, as they are faced with so many tough decisions about his future care and will certainly make a decision about the lung transplant very soon.
And stay tuned...I'll be launching a new giveaway (a simple fundraiser I can run from behind a laptop during a busy fall semester) very soon. In the meantime, if you'd like to donate, we're grateful--and it's easy! Use the PayPal button on the right side of this website to donate online, or if you prefer to use snail mail, you'll find the address to Eddie's Fund at Eastern Bank there, too.
Much love, and all my thanks,
Melissa
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The Giveaway Finishes Strong!
Thank you, friends, for participating in our Hoping for Spring Giveaway! The winner of our Kindle Fire is...Christine B! We raised $2040 for the Fund in ONE MONTH. Thank you, thank you! When I began the Giveaway this month, I had no idea how sick Eddie would become--he has been in the hospital now for 12 days, and remains in the ICU. The doctors strongly suspect GVHD (bone marrow transplant rejection disease) of the lungs. Please continue to pray with us for him. And thank you for providing for them when they are most in need. We love you for loving them with us.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Hoping for Spring
Dear Friends,
We're nearly halfway through the month of April. Halfway through our Hoping for Spring Giveaway. There's still time to donate to Eddie's Fund--for every $10 you donate to the Fund, you'll receive one entry in our giveaway to win a Kindle Fire (we'll be using random.org at the end of the month to choose our winner and will contact that person directly and let you all know when the Giveaway winner has been drawn).
Of all the things you could give this week, Eddie MOST needs your love and prayers. He is going in for an open lung biopsy sometime within the next week. They will cut him open and biopsy his lung to look for GVH (Graft versus Host disease, a form of bone transplant rejection). Let me tell you, as mom of a former transplant patient, the phrase "GVH" lurks as a possible, and awful, outcome of a transplant. Eddie is already battling GVH in other parts of his body. GVH of the lung would be devastating. And the surgery itself--with Eddie's still-suppressed immune system--is daunting. He will be hospitalized for nearly 2 weeks as he recovers.
Please join with our family in asking God to bring a new "spring" for this little boy--a new season of healing and hope. This family needs an infusion of peace.
Thank you for your kindness to our friend Eddie. Let's hope for spring together.
Love to you all,
Melissa for Eddie's Fund
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Hoping for Spring
Dear Friends,
It's been way too long since I've updated the blog here. Many of you are following Eddie's Fund on Facebook now--I'm so happy for that. If you are, you know the last month has been a tough one for Eddie. I've been really sad to talk with his mom every week, always to news of deterioration, and never progress.
Eddie is having difficulty breathing, and the doctors suspect GVHD (rejection disease) in his lungs. As you may remember, Eddie already has GVHD of the skin and mouth, and it's a nasty disease in every imaginable way. We're hoping to hear very soon about a date for a lung biopsy for Eddie; of course, surgery of any kind is always dangerous given the supression of his immune system. And, Eddie continues to be unable to eat--he can't open his mouth wide enough to even put in a popsicle (because of the rejection disease and the way it tightens his skin). His feeding tube, however, has been causing him problems, so that was removed at the end of this past week in the hopes of giving him a break from it. Of course, without it, he's not getting any nutrition, so it's going to have to be replaced very soon.
I'm so grateful for many of you who have continued to give to Eddie's Fund during this time. Some of you give monthly, others give when you can, and as someone who also donates to the Fund, I'm grateful. Since paying off the family car in the late fall, we've been able to use Fund money to help with the family's rent, pay for needed car repairs, and pay for heating bills. Because Eddie's mom continues to be unable to work (Eddie is in and out of Boston nearly every day, and visitors are not allowed in their home), the Fund continues to provide a necessary means of support for this family.
We love them so much. We admire them so much. And we're so grateful for those of you who are loving on them, too.
This month, we'd like to invite you to donate as part of our HOPING FOR SPRING drive. We're hoping for a new season of growth and health in Eddie's life, and praying for that. In the meantime, we're doing what we can to support and love Eddie and his family.
And to thank you for your donation, for every $10 you donate, you will win one entry in our HOPING FOR SPRING GIVEAWAY. The prize is a KINDLE FIRE! So if you donate $50, you will have 5 entries entered in the giveaway! I will draw the winner of the Kindle Fire on the last day of April and will contact the winner at that time.
Use the "Donate" button on the right side of this page to make a donation via PayPal...I will receive your name when you do so, and I'll know you've donated, and at what amount (so I'll be able to figure out the number of giveaway entries you receive).
Thank you for donating to the Fund...we're down to our last $100, so we appreciate your support!
With thanks, and with hope for sunnier days for Eddie,
Melissa
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