8/23/2008: NOTE: This post is over year old - please visit Karen's blog for an update from her husband Michael. Thanks - Calie
During the next few months, our Karen needs to be focusing all of her attention and energies towards healing. She has been fighting this battle for a while and needs to know that we all stand behind her; We are here to pray with her, cry with her and most importantly help her through.
Sarah Eubanks came up with this wonderfully giving idea to help our Karen. In response to the overwhelming requests to help and with Karen's permission, we are asking the A/R community to help ease the burden of the every-day responsibilities.
Since we are spread all over, instead of sending dinner via Fed Ex, we would like to ask you to send a gift card.
Some ideas include:
- Merry Maids
- Restaurants
- Local Stores (Target, Fry's)
(Previously provided address is no longer available)
So, today while you're eating lunch or at Starbucks for an afternoon break, I want you to think about this:
"Every 2 minutes, there is a new breast cancer diagnosis. Every 14 minutes, a life is lost to the disease. Over 40,000 people will die this year; about 400 of them will be men." (www.breastcancerawareness.com)
Attn Group Moderators: Please, please feature this blog so we can make a difference in Karen's life.
Attn A/R Bloggers: If you would like to write your own so it can be in 5 more A/R groups, please do so. Please leave the link in the comments of this blog, so we can all be linked together. The more attention that we can raise, the better. Email me if you have any questions.
Thank you.


Calie,
I'm posted this in other groups as well. See here.
Thanks,
Shailesh
What an awesome thing you've done here Calie. You are welcome to post these in the groups personally sponsored:
Property Management
South Illi/Indi Realtors
Active Couples
I'd like to support her in any way possible. Thank you, Callie for posting this.
Kathy
Thank you, Yvonne, Diane & Kathy. It's the small things that make the big differences.
Diane - Unfortunately, blogs can only be posted to 5 groups at a time. However, you can copy/paste my blog (plus add your own comments) into your own blog and then post it to 5 more groups. This will definitely help us to spread the word to more of A/R
Thank you, Brad for featuring our blog in your Blogging & SEO group - I truly appreciate your help in spreading the word. I know all of us have learned so much from Karen's SEO advice.
Calie,
I am so glad that something of this caliber was able to happen! And, this is one of the few instances I am thankkful to be "used". Because I know that we are all just vessels of God, I am so totally okay. Please keep us updated on how donations are comingin. I feel as though giving only encourages others with generosity! Thanks again, and continued prayers and blessings to our Miss Karen...
:-) Sarah Eubanks
Hi Calie and thanks for the note. I just read your message, it's very much appreciated and I'll be adding your post to the marketing group tomorrow. Right now I have to get some sleep.
It's great how so many people who've never met have shown such amazing support. Stay strong Karen!
Sarah - All of the thanks goes to you for having such an awesome idea! You must be an amazing woman, as well. Thank you just doesn't seem enough.
Marti - (Good Morning!) Thank you, Thank you for allowing this post in "The Art of Marketing You" group here on A/R. Our community has so many *awesome* folks here - the outpouring of love and thoughts to help Karen through her battle with the big"C" has been mind-blowing. Thanks, Marti!
A Visa gift card (can be spent just like cash) is on its way today.
Gosh, do you realize if every member of AR put just one dollar in an envelope and mailed it to Karen, we could raise over $40,000?!! As self-employed individuals, we are probably a little more sensitive than others as to how tough it can be to see our earning power reduced at times like these. The last thing Karen and her family need to worry about now is finances.
This community has the power to lift Karen up financially, emotionally and in prayer. Let's do it!
Well, I'd love to, BUT I am new here and have not ventured into blogging YET. The most I have been able to do is just respond and keep the posts going to the top.
I will go to the other posts and respond, though, if that will help.
Hi again Calie, your post has been added to the marketing group here... the compassion of Active Rain
Thanks again for everything you've done.
Oh my dear, Susan -Why are you not blogging?! It's only hard if you haven't tried it. Don't let fear of the unknown stop you - you've got such a beautiful "voice" - why not let it be heard? Perhaps, today is the day to venture.
Thanks for the encouragement. For now, I'm just enjoying "getting to know" the different personalities here and getting the lay of the land. I'm not by nature an impulsive person, but don't worry, once I sink my teeth into something, I do not let go! I just want to be sure I have something of value to say and the time to make it a priority.
And, Calie, THANKS to you for doing this for Karen. I truly believe if there is just one person who can beat this thing, it is her. *Someone* is always that "one in a million" statistic and my money is on her. ;-)
Calie what a wonderful and generous thought here. You can count me in. I didn't know of this until this moment, I was tracking a blog I wrote about Karen trying to enlist help of the AR family in different way. I think helping Karen and her family out in this way is wonderful and I will do something, you have my commitment.
I would also like to have all those who know and have been touched by Karen to visit my post and join me in trying to help in a different way. It cost nothing but about three or four minutes of time but the benefit could produce amazing results. I would also be pleased to have feed back on it.
Please visit: http://activerain.com/blogsview/168545/Fire-in-The-Rain
Thank you to all of you who are comming together for the soul purpose of doing good for one of us.
Thanks, Karen. Feel free to copy/paste and then add your ideas/thoughts, as well. I sincerely appreciate everyone's help in "sharing this forward". You're the best!
P.S. Don't forget to come back and share the link with us.
Ok- I will get busy on the gift cards.
What are the local grocery stores in the area? Are there Super Targets, Super Walmarts?
Calie, perhaps you should discourage copying this blog, as i received an email from Caleb Mardini about the duplication of this post. Of course, i did not do it for the points... which were deducted... all should maybe link your post to their own written blog rather than copy. Be encouraged Calie!
Thanks for your encouragement Darrel, Julie, Rebecca, Yolanda.
Rebecca - Yes, we have both Super WalMart & Target Greatland.
Diane - Thanks for letting me know. I had no idea - I am so sorry to you and everyone else who so graciously have helped spread the word.
Calie,
I am walking 60 miles in 3 days for the Breast Cancer 3day walk in November in Arizona. I will add Karen's name to the list of people that I am walking for. Also, I am holding a silent auction to benefit the cause next weekend, if you know of any local companies, golf courses, restaurants, etc. that would like to donate some items or gift cards, please send them my way!!! Thanks!!
Thank you, Bonnie & Jennifer. It's the small things that make the big differences - together we are making a world of difference.
Thank you, Karen for letting us know. You may want to consider blogging about your silent auction. Wishing you all the best!
Calie - As per your request, I am posting the blog that I just put up asking for support from the Active Rain Community to help Karen George. We have strength in numbers and the power to do great things. We should not let this opportunity pass us by. This is a community built on helping others, and Karen needs this help from the community. For those that don't know Karen, read her posts and read what other people have to say about her. I have never had any contact whatsoever, but I was moved to act based on the good word of others.
Here is the link to my post:
We Have The Power To Raise Over $400K For Karen George
Calie,
I want to apologize...you wrote a comment on this on my blog, but then said you weren't putting a link (sure wish you had). Anyway, there were a few others who have sent links, so I updated the post with Karen's name, and links....at the bottom of the original post........the "crying" one.....
Now, has anyone done the Post on $1 a member...if not I would love to write one........
Dear Calie,
Thank you for sharing Karen's story with us. I read her entire blog and can't get her out of my mind. She is an inspiration to all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.
I put an envelope in the mail today. Thank you Calie for everything you've done.
People can also donate cash through here paypal link.. I think it was in her last blog.
Kathy - Sorry about the link - for some reason, I thought we weren't suppose to be links in the comments of others' blogs. I'll try and do better :)
Christine - Karen's story is one of courage, strength and inspiration for sure. When your card arrives, I will email you and let you know. Thanks again.
Scott - Thank you for mentioning the paypal link. It, too, is a good way to support Karen.
Calie,
You are a good friend. I have not been in the rain as much and I just found this post today and I am actually happy to be able to help. I read Karen's post the first day it was posted and I have not been able to stop thinking about it since then, now I can do something, thanks.
This is AMAZING! It's a beautiful thing that we come together like so.
Cheers,
Cindy
Isn't it amazing that this seems to have taken on lives of their own? It speaks volumes to me about the heart and soul of my fellow Active Rainers.
Thank you to everyone who has sent a card to Karen. If you included your name on the return address, I sent you an email when the card arrived. If you didn't include your name, then my apologies - there's no way for me to know who you are. If you want to email me to make sure it arrived safely, I'll be glad to check. Thank you! - Calie
I'm just finding this blog right now. Will definetly help. Is there any update by chance?
Thanks so much. All the best,
Beth
I heard from a close source the battle is coming to an end. It's very sad and I have a beloved family member going through the same. Keep the family in your thoughts and prayers .
This family is in my prayers and thoughts for peace and grace. God Bless you Tracy for bringing this to our attention.
Karen is in my thoughts and prayers tonight and will remain. Thank you for sharing.
Tracy, thank you for the update. I'm so sorry to hear this latest news and will keep her and her family in our thoughts and prayers.
This is very sad news indeed. Karen's family will remain in our hearts and in our prayers. May they feel the outreach of love and concern from this community.
8/23/2008: NOTE: This post is over year old - please visit Karen's blog for an update from her husband Michael. Thanks - Calie