More prizes!

Hey, folks.

I am hear to plead. :)  Forgive me.

We need more cards for these sick kids.  So many of them need so much encouragement right now.  I know we are all so stinkin' busy right now.  And money is tight.  But really, a few simple cards thrown into an envelope with low postage would be fab.  And we just need fun cards - just put a knock knock joke in it.  Or tell about your silly pet.  Or put in a photo of a cute dog.  Anything.  I am not good at asking people to give money, but this is something I feel strongly about - the power of a greeting.

AND thank you all for the cards you all have sent in.  You are all amazing.  I opened some cards the other day from Jill and it just brought tears to my ears.  The gorgeous masterpieces she created will be so appreciated by these families.

And there is a reason I feel a strong need to come here and plead.  I got an email from Eric's mom (he was one of the children we collected cards for in the fall - he sadly has since passed away).  It was so touching to hear from her how much the cards meant to her family.  Here is what she said...

"Hi Jennifer.  My name is Leslie Osman and I lost my 8-year-old son to adrenoleukodystrophy on October 25, 2009.  Kathy Racoosin, who is a friend, submitted our information to you as part of your card drive and I just wanted to tell you just how much it meant to our entire family.  Our other two kids had so much fun opening the cards.  They each carry them around in a little shopping bag.  We also spent a lot of time looking at all the different states and countries that sent cards.  It was just amazing

Kathy (Racoosin) came over last month and spent an evening with me and my daughter - showing us how to make cards.  And now, we would like to pay it forward and participate in one of your other drives.  So, that's what we're going to do.

I really just wanted to take a moment to let you know just how wonderful this effort is.

- Leslie Osman (Bob, Rachel, Jacob and our sweet angel Eric)"

So, I hope this inspires you to create for these sweet kids.  And, to encourage you a bit more, here are some more prizes you could win.  (For a list of all the prizes, click HERE.)

THE FIRST ROUND OF PRIZES WILL BE DRAWN FROM CARDS SENT BY 1/31. FOR INFORMATION ON SENDING CARDS, CLICK HERE. So you still have time! (The drive will continue after that.)

This is Braden ...

Braden Hofen was diagnosed with Stage IV, high risk neuroblastoma on December 28, 2007 at the age of 3. Braden was given a 30% chance for survival at that time. He went through six high dose rounds of chemotherapy, an autologous bone marrow transplant, radiation therapy, and follow up therapies. Braden was declared to be in remission but merely a few months later, and only a few weeks from his fifth birthday, his cancer relapsed. Braden now has only a 10% chance for survival. Braden is undergoing medical treatments both at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri and at the Children's Hopsital of Philadelphia. Braden loves animals, basketball, playing outside, water fountains, and the beautiful seasonal Christmas lights!  Braden and his family appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers, and hopes for a miracle!

The family includes:

• Braden, age 5.
• Brother - Zach, age 6.
• Mom - Deliece.
• Dad - Brian.

To keep up with Braden and how he is doing, you can visit his website HERE.

And for sending in cards for Braden, you could win...

This prize gets you a $75 gift certificate to 2peas, donated by myself and Jana Millen.

This is Emily ...

Emily Koester is a beautiful 6 year old girl that has a very rare disease.  She is one of 4 people in the US that has Schimke Immuno-osseous Dysplasia (SIOD), one of the rarest forms of Dwarfism.  Only 45 people world-wide have this disease. This disease is very rare. Only 1 in 1 million to 3 million get this genetic disease. She will have a shortened life span with: stroke, hip replacements, kidney failure and infections as some of the problems with this disease.  This disease is detected by growth, appearance, illness and x-rays. Emily has rounding of the spinal vertebrae, classic characteristics of hip dysplasia in the pelvis and thighs.  Emily experienced kidney failure in spring 2008 and received a kidney transplant from her father Joe.   A side effect of the transplant, the anti-rejection medication caused Lymphoma, Emily's is in stage 3 and has endured chemo. Recently a fungal infection was discovered in the donated kidney, so she has been on anti-fungal medication.  She has suffered from constant fevers, vomiting, headaches and most recently seizures.  She has had over 37+ surgeries in the past 2 years.
 
The family includes:

• Emily, age 6
• Mom - Erin
• Dad - Joe
  

To keep up with Emily and how she is doing, you can visit his website HERE.  If you want to help, click HERE.

For sending in cards for Emily and her family, you may win...

This prize includes lots of great stamps sets donated by Sarah Moerman.  Great stuff!  And you also will get a bunch of handmade butterflies that I have made - stamped, colored with Copics and cut out.

Thank you, everyone!

Comments

[Kathy Racoosin]

Hey Jennifer, I just sent some cards for the kids but, now my mission with be for their siblings and parents. I'm happy that you are sending this plea...it really makes a difference as you know.
Have fun preparing for CHA! Hugs,Kathy

[Jennifer McGuire]

thank you!

[Donna C]

Please tell us where to send these cards. Is there a central location or do we contact them directly via the links to the blogs you gave and ask for addresses from the parents? I am going to link this on my blog so my readers can participate.

[Jennifer McGuire]

sorry! let me add that to the post....

[Felicia Tindal]

Hi Jennifer! Are you enjoying a wonderful weekend in Indiana? We were just up around the B&B today....sorry for the yucky weather we are having, but it sure is nice weather to drag out some supplies and make a few cards for the kids! Have a nice weekend!

[Pat Castillo]

I was going to be making cards for our church but I'll also send some for these kids...Thanks for sharing the opportunity to help w/us...

[Angela Barclay]

I will try to get a few cards sent out very soon. I will ask my own kids (9, 7, 5) their favorite jokes are for ideas for the cards. Thank you for doing this- what sweet thing this is!

[susan drasher]

Jennifer, I just posted this over on a scrap website I love...http://thescrapbeach.ning.com/ to get the word out, me and my daughter will start creating...Also, I love little mini albums, would it be alright to make one for a child?

[Victoria S.]

Thanks for the reminder
my heart is to make tons of cards - my time slips away. I will make some and send them in soon!

[Megan Renfree]

Oh that is so sad about Eric. And I am useless, I have made cards, but not sent them, I guess I thought they weren't good enough, but I'm going to make some more and send them for sure!! Its a great thing you are doing Jennifer!!

[Nancy L.]

i'm be making some cards are Monday. What a wonderful drive!

[Kimberly]

Hi Jennifer! I just want to tell you how much this touched my heart and I will help you out as well. I just need to know where to send the cards. Do they have to be a particular size?? Let me know.....this is a wonderful blessing that you are doing this. Thank you. :)

[Mustangkayla]

Next time, I think you need a warning to grab some kleenex before reading the post! So incredibly sad....and touching....and....This is an incredible thing you do!

[Alecia]

Thank you again Jennifer for organizing this card drive! God bless you!
Now I am off to make some cards!

[Rhonda Miller]

Jennifer, my kids and I are planning a card making weekend since they are out a couple extra days from school. They love making cards for these special kids. It is such a wonderful thing you are doing. Something like this would have been great when our daughter was going through retinoblastoma. Luckily now she is going well and is cancer free.

[Jill]

Jennifer, you and each of these children and their families are in my prayers! Thank you for all that you do!

[Heather Maria]

Jennifer, I've had your card drive in my mind for quite a while and will definitely make cards during the week for these lovely children. Hopefully I'll have them in the to post to you soon. It was great to participate in the drives for Kate and Eric and to know that the cards brought smiles to their faces. Thank you so much for organising this!

[Susy]

I have some cards that I made for the last drive that I did not get to post so will get them into the mail tomorrow. I cannot imagine the strength it must take to be the parent of a seriously ill child, they deserve all the goodness they can get.
:-)

[lois skiathitis]

Oh my goodness the sadness is overwhelming. I'm still grieving my son who died. These people are in my prayers. Taking care of a child that is sick is a full time job and we try to be strong. The main thing, and it's the hardest, is to be strong for our children especially when our hearts are aching. Thanks for doing this Jennifer.

[Jennifer McGuire]

yes! one is fine! thank you.

[Tami Hall]

Hi Jennifer! It was so good to read the e-mail from Leslie. Thank you SO much for sharing it! I don't know her but can tell she is an amazing person. I really feel a closeness to her since the Card Drive for Eric and following the Osman's journey. She has been such an inspiration to me. Some of the words she wrote on Eric's site were very profound for me and have really "stuck". I've wondered, "Does Jennifer realize how much she is helping "US", the card makers of the card drives?" Sometimes we are the ones who are being blessed as much as these precious families.

And what a WONDERFUL addition to a prize! These beautiful butterflies made by you! Wow, pretty cool! I have admired them very much! :)

[Erin Glee]

Thanks for the reminder to get on this... I will make an extra effort to get some kid cards to you this month. Nice feedback. I want to make a tiny difference... a little smile... some distraction and a bit of love in an envelope!
Thanks for doing the Card Drive, Jennifer.

[Sarah M]

So I WAS thinking of pulling back from stamping for a bit because of things going on here and changes I'm working on... BUT that all suddenly seem so very minor after reading your post. I think I'll try and focus on 1 or 2 families a month to make sure siblings and parents receive cards too. Big hugs, Jennifer!

[anonymous]

Thank you for your reminder. In light of all the tragedy in the world, sometimes it can feel so overwhelming. That my help isn't needed because I can't make it ALL go away. But I'm learning that God wants us to give anything (no matter how small!) we can. So I hope I'll have some cards out to you this week!

[Leslie R]

It's a good feeling to know that there are people out there that still believe in Random Acts of Kindness :)

[cindy]

Jennifer, I'm on it. I'm going to a crop this wekend and I will put cards for these kids on my to do list. You are awesome for doing this drive. I'm so glad it is making a difference.