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I’m a hairstylist. I know how important hair is to people. Believe me… I know.Back in cosmetology school, part of the definition of hair was to “adorn the head“. There was no other specific physiological purpose of hair, but as many of us already know… hair is part of our identity.
How we color it, cut it, style it, (or shave it all off!) has a mark on our identity and the image we are sending out in the world. Hair can be the first impression you have of someone; or the first impression you give.
Unfortunately, due to many medical reasons such as chemotherapy for cancer treatment, trichophagia, trichotillomania, and alopecia; many underprivileged children facing these conditions simply cannot afford to replace the hair they have lost, through artificial means.
In addition to battling various medical conditions, it is often made worse for children who face these situations without the comfort of looking like everyone else.
Locks of Love has been for as long as I have been a stylist. The unique opportunity they provide for low income families that have children with medically documented hair-loss, is priceless.
Over the years I have cut off many ponytails and sent them to Locks of Love. I know how hard it is to part with our hair…
In order for a donation to qualify for donation, the hair must be:
- at least 10 inches in length
- secured in a ponytail or braid before it is cut
- clean and completely dry before it is mailed in
- placed inside of a plastic bag and then inside of a padded plastic envelope
You will also have to fill out a donation form and mail it in to:
2925 10th Avenue N
Suite 102
Lake Worth, FL 33461-3099
I can say undeniably, the biggest show of support for this cause comes at the hands of other children!
100% of the donations that I have sent in to Locks of Love have all been donated by young children.
Imagine that.
Mothers Fighting For Others
Okay, I’ll admit it… I like MySpace.
In recent days I like it even more since they have spent a lot of their time in recent days promoting the Impact Awards, the Red Campaign and now, the Rock for Darfur Event taking place on November 10th.
On November 10th you can see a concert in a major city in your area, and be assured that a portion of the proceeds from your ticket will go directly to the Save Darfur Coalition and to Oxfam’s humanitarian work in Darfur.
The crisis in Darfur is still urgent. The people are still real.
We need to end the genocide taking place in Darfun in Sudan Africa right now. The devastation on humanity is heartbreaking, the reality is undeniable. America needs to intervene and we need to do it now.
Corporate America listen up… I know where your tax deductible donation will have the biggest impact. I know the kids that your donation will have the biggest impact. There is no middle man. There is not cut off the top. I will take your money straight to the kids who need it most. Every single dollar of every single donation
will go directly to the children of Africa.
Mothers Fighting for Others will be an official non-profit organization within the next few months. When everything is “official” we will make an announcement on where and when to make direct, tax-deductible donations to our organization.
In addition to working with Eric from A Child’s Right, we hope to work with Father Augustine at St. Monica’s Orphanage in Kenya to send ALL of his girls to high-school next year! They deserve it.
You can be the drop in the bucket. We can make a difference!
Mothers Fighting For Others
I sat down this past weekend to read the local newspaper as I always do on Wednesday. It’s filled with usual grand openings, want ads, and local events. I love catching up with what’s going on in the community, but this week something very interesting caught my eye…
In the Around Town section of the Plainfield Sun was an article on Lorelei Blackburn, a librarian from the local Plainfield Library.
Lorelei recently spent a month in Uganda, in Africa, teaching and spending time with the orphans of this war torn country.
One very interesting thing she said in the article that struck a chord with me was:
“You can only change things for one person at a time. Then, that one person can change things for others, and that can multiply.”
No truer words have been spoken, it’s all about paying it forward.
During the time that she spent there she learned that the boys in the orphanage dream of earning enough money to buy a house, (a mud hut with a dirt floor), and the girls all dream of being nurses.
Lorelei now hopes to start a foundation to raise money for the students educations. Of all the things the kids had asked for the two books that topped the lists… Bibles and English dictionaries.
Because the tribes in Uganda are in constant war with one another, the country is in a constant state of poverty. Ugandan culture frowns upon questioning governing authority.
The economy is based heavily on agriculture, and most young men will either become farmers or dig ditches for a living.
“You must speak English well to go to school. If you don’t you are going to be a digger.”
Malaria is a huge problem in Uganda, and as in many, many areas in Africa, and there is very little health care available. Because of this, there are very few members of the population who are over 40, a realization Lorelei came to one afternoon.
The students she taught were amazed by the photos of the stoves that American’s cooked on; in beautiful and clean kitchens.
Lorelei donated books that she and her colleagues at the library had collected for the students. The students sent her home with letters to President Bush, which she promised she would mail to him.
They may also become part a book that she plans on writing chronicling her experience.
“It’s a place I can never forget.”
It’s people like Lorelei, Rocky, Juli and our good friend Tracy, that make me realize I’ve only begun to put a dent in the bucket of “change” I plan to make on this world.
So, back to that first quote from Lorelei…. it made me think. I’ve got one chance to do things right by my kids.
If I can do one thing for my kids, now and in the future; it will be to make them part of the “multiplication” Lorelei was talking about. I have an opportunity, as all mothers do, to teach my kids about what is really important in life.
If I can raise these 4 impressionable lives to, not turn their backs on those who can’t help theme-selves… then, and only then, will we see the fruit of the labor here on MFFO. Teaching the next generation to care. That’s something simple we can all start to do right now.
Mothers Fighting For Others
Have you ever had to take a step back from life and think, “how did I get so lucky?” I’ve had to pinch myself lately as I think about all of the good things that have happened in my life over the past few years.
Here is just one example:
You might remember a while back how a little boy named Trevor Kott engraved his name on my heart…
This chubby little cherub had me front and center when I heard about how desperately he needed a bone marrow transplant. I felt compelled to act as did my friends, Rocky and Tracy. We collectively held 3 separate bone marrow drives for Trevor, both in Illinois and California… but unfortunately a match was never found.
Trevor passed away on April 25th, 2007. He was only 6 months old.
To my surprise, I got an e-mail a few months later from Trevor’s mom Angela Kott. She had planned a trip to Chicago for a seminar with her friend Crystal for the last weekend of September. I was so excited to finally meet this pillar of strength; this woman who so eloquently shared Trevor’s life and message with us. Angela is a gem and so is her friend Crystal.
I picked them up from Midway airport at took them to their hotel, during which we were able to talk and get to know one another. It was like talking to old friends, and I looked forward to seeing them again.
We made plans for the next day, but I quickly turned our dinner plans to an early lunch after learning about an event at my kids school that night. Oh, boy… that would prove to be a big mistake!!!
The problem was our youngest son “Bugsy” is a screamer, and by screamer I mean “SCREAMER”!
This kid will kill your ear-drums with one shrill ear-piercing scream. Unfortunately for us, he didn’t just scream once, twice… three or even four times; he SCREAMED the entire meal! People were relieved to leave the restaurant because of him. Nothing makes for faster friends, than the humor in an uncontrollable baby who won’t stop screaming and scares away the other customers! He’s only 13 months old there was no reasoning. I have no idea why he does this, but I was SOOOOO over it by the end of lunch I probably could have cried.
Oh wait, I did…
I forgot about the part when Angela handed me a beautifully wrapped gift.
I immediately asked her if it was going to make me cry, and she quickly said, “no….”.
She was wrong.
Tears immediately filled my eyes when I saw the the beautifully framed photo of Trevor and his mom! Even more difficult were the words that followed… “Julie, thank you for making a difference.”
I have no idea why Trevor tugged so hard at my heart strings. Maybe because someday the drive I held will someday save someone else’s life. Maybe it was to open my eyes to the life that swirls around me. Maybe it was to remind to be thankful for the things I take for granted.
Angela and Crystal were such a pleasure to get to meet in person. I wish I had more time to get to know them both better. Our visit was too short. ( but in so many ways… much too noisy to prolong! ;)
Trevor will always have a special place in my heart. I’ll never stop telling the world all about the little boy who inspired me into action, and made me believe that for him, winning wasn’t everything… it’s how he played the game.
Mothers Fighting For Others
After much talk, and serious consideration; both Rocky and I have decided that our hearts and souls have been poured into the children of Africa. We have decided that in our collaboration with A Child’s Right , that we will now focus all of our attention on the continent of Africa.
I can’t imagine not taking our passion for making changes in this world straight to the vein that feeds this passion for the kids who need us most. Long ago, when I saw the very first episode of Christmas Kindness on Oprah, did I have any idea how much of an impact those 60 minutes would have on my life.
They were not immediate minutes, but rather, very deliberate minutes, that changed the way I thought.
Africa has long been forgotten. Long been ignored.
Is it because racism and bigotry still exist here in America? Or is it because it is a continent so broken, that no one knows how to fix it?
I am an average woman. I live an average life. I come from an average family….but no matter how ordinary my life has been, I feel compelled to do extraordinary things. I’m nothing special, and Rocky isn’t either. Our militia is comprised of ordinary moms who know that the power of making a difference begins by taking action.
What will you do today, to make difference in the world?
Mothers Fighting for Others
We got an extra newspaper last month.
The Chicago Tribune sent a complimentary issue, and as usual, the reason we only subscribe to the Sunday paper, I didn’t have time to read it. I put it with the newspapers we recycle and happened to glance at an article that instantly caught my eye.
“Desperation Spurs Poor Pakistanis To Sell Kidneys”
After reading the article I was shocked.
I was utterly stunned to learn that human beings were actually selling their organs to escape poverty. Mothers, Fathers, and grown children, were willing to risk their lives and their health to give their families and children a chance at a better life. Free from slavery. Free from debt. Sold for less than $1500, or less!
I was also shocked to learn that there was now some documented truth to having your organs stolen for transplant by someone who profited from the donor / recipient relationship.
We have progressed as human beings in so many ways.
Sometimes I wonder how our humanity lags so far behind our technology?
Ever since I met Rocky 8 months ago on CafeMom, I feel as though I’ve caught a fire. It’s hard to explain all the ways I have changed in what I think and how I believe. I owe all of that to Rocky and Oprah… of course!
We have moved forward in our plans for Mothers Fighting For Others because of the unique way in which we volley ideas off of one another. Much like our idea for American Express Members Project was born, today we have been driven and inspired to take on our first official independent MFFO project.
The idea for Underwear for Africa was created this week after Rocky called me and told me about she raided the underwear bins at Gymboree for children’s underwear, so she could take them with her on her trip to Kenya. She wrote about it in the post, I Met an Angel Today… Actually Two.
Now, Rocky and I have already both discussed how silly the name of this project is. But underwear is a topic that is always good for a giggle. ESPECIALLY with kids. Can you imagine the smiles on their faces and the laughter in the room when two crazy white ladies from America come bearing gifts of UNDERWEAR???!!!
We started talking about her experience at the store, and how underwear is always on the list of needs in most orphanages. We also talked about the kind generosity of the Moms on Cafe Mom who have been supporting her in preparing for her trip to Kenya.
Undergarments are a fairly inexpensive items that are needed in nearly all of the facilities that are caring for the children that have been orphaned in the world.
I’ll have more details on how this project will work in the weeks to come. I just wanted to share the very first independent project that we are taking on at Mother Fighting for Others. I believe this will be a springboard for implementing our BIG IDEA; the Members Project that we had a few months back.
Good things happen when you dare to dream. I think we’ll be able to cover a few thousand bottoms with this project. And that my friends will cause more than a few giggles!
Mothers Fighting For Others INC
Underwear For Africa
27943 Seco Canyon RD # 533
Santa Clarita CA 91350
I got this letter in the mail back in mid July while Rocky was away on her cross-country trip to West Virginia. I have meant so many times to write a post about this… today, the obligation to the people of Darfur finally became too much.
Today is the day I become the voice of Fatma, and share with you what American companies like Fidelity Investments does with it’s money on our behalf.
My husband was a Jewel Food Stores, (now Alberston’s) employee for over 6 years. We now have investments and money investments involved in stocks associated with Fidelity Investments. The story that follows in the letter that I received from “Save Darfur” will break your heart. This story also makes me ashamed to know that we hold stock in Fidelity Investments.
Money does not matter enough in my life.
My money is being used to fund a Genocide to kill my brothers and sisters in Africa. Human beings that deserve the same rights to life that I enjoy here in America!
You will read for yourself why holding stock in a company that funds war and terror on the men, women, and children is contributing to the death of hundreds of thousands of lives in Africa.
No matter the color of our skin, or the roots of our heritage, human is human. The blood from our hearts bleeds as red as the sun on a summer night. No one deserves to suffer in silence. Help me give Fatma her voice when the powers that be try to silence her. (Click on the letter to enlarge)
Ignorance is bliss my friends. We cannot defend what we do not acknowledge!
If you or your spouse currently hold stock in Fidelity Investments, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE demand that Fidelity Investments Inc., no matter what the return on the investment is, does not invest your money in the loss of human lives. I know I am.
I will not tolerate their business practices as an informed stock holder any longer!
We truly live in an “American Bubble” sometimes. I am so thankful that I don’t believe every NBC, ABC, or CBS “by-line” shoved down my throat. The media, no matter how much we want to believe in “free speech,” does not deliver the truth. I know that things happen every day that would shock the average American.
Stop the power of the “American dollar” from destroying lives across the globe!
Keep our friends in Sudan and Darfur safe by saying NO to Fidelity Investments! Tell them it’s NOT okay to destroy lives to protect American investments!
Mothers Fighting For Others
My phone rang mid morning this past Friday. It was Rocky. I was surprised to hear from her since she should have been on her way to the airport for a weekend trip to Vegas, and I wasn’t planning on talking to her until Monday. She was out of breath and sounding inspired, I should have known that no matter where Rocky is, her heart is never far from finding ways to help the children of Africa.
She had come across a copy of Vanity Fair at the airport entirely devoted to Africa. It is part of a special issue guest edited by Bono. The cover of the edition that I picked up, featured a photo of Condoleeza Rice and Bono together, one of 20 historic covers photographed by Annie Leibovitz. The 19 other covers include: Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, Warren Buffett, George W. Bush, Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Bill and Melinda Gates, Djimon Hounsou, Iman, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Madonna, Barck Obama, Brad Pitt, Queen Rania of Jordan, Chris Rock Archibishop Desmond Tutu, and Oprah Winfrey. You can see and purchase all 20 by clicking here to go to Amazon.com.
I haven’t had a chance to read it from cover to cover yet, but everything I have read so far makes me think it should be required reading for all Americans. There is a world crying for our help, and all that most of us are willing to do is shake our heads and sigh… “poor Africa”.
Inspiration is a funny thing. It’s contagious.
Thank you, Vanity Fair, for shining the spotlight on the suffering of this continent, and all the corruption that fuels it. I pray for the inspiration that usually follows initiatives like these, and hope that the tiny seed that gets planted in the minds of those who hear these truths, will grow inside their hearts.
Some people in this world are just born to do good things. I believe this statement with my whole heart.
I talked to Rocky quite a while back about showcasing stories on Mothers Fighting For Others about real people doing real things to make a real difference in the world.
The following story is from the Joliet Herald News and is an example of just that:
Jill Sperling is the dean of students at Drauden Point Middle School, here in the town I live in. My cousin Nikki Knights is a graduate of that school, as of last week here in Plainfield, IL. I took this story from the Herald News newspaper in hopes of showcasing the life and inspiration for her dedication to the children of Southeast Africa.
Jill will be leaving for the city of Malawi, which has been devasted by AIDS, and more than half of Malawai’s 13 million people live in poverty. She will be spending 17 days with her brothers, Joel and Jon Van Dahm, in Malawai to complete their mission there. Jill and her brothers will be helping the missionaries Will and Pam Phillips, who care for 120 children, which includes 29 infants.
“My heart is with the babies” Sperling is quoted as saying. “I just want to go to Africa and rock the babies.”
Jill lives in Lombard, IL and will distribute 3,000 of the 5,126 books that Drauden Point Students collected this past year. To pay for the $3,000 mailing cost, the student council donated the money necessary to ship the books, as well as teachers and friends! Jill (32) and her husband Bruce had a dream of traveling to Africa for many years. Two years ago they decided that 2007 would be the year they made trip.
On Memorial Day weekend, 2006 Bruce Sterling, and his brother Mark ,tried to rescue a kyaker on the Fox River in Yorkville, IL and he, his brother, and the kayaker all drowned. Bruce was youth minister at their church in Lombard.
After Bruce’s death she continued on her quest to go to Africa, and her brothers Joel and Jon decided to join her. “They saw an urgent need there and felt they were in a position to help. That desire was reflected in Bruce’s life.” said Joel.
Joel Van Dahm has a degree in engineering and is interested in water systems. Jon will offer his expertise in running a small business to the children. “We can be a symbol of hope in place that appears hopeless”, a quote from Jon Van Dahm.
This my friends is what is it all about… Inspiration and Action!
I remember hearing the story of Bruce and his brother on the news last year. I know now, that Jill and her husband Bruce are a testament to those who were born to do good things!
Thank you to the Sperling and Van Dahm families for raising such a wonderful family of caring children. And to Bruce and Jill for choosing to be a part of the solution!
I plan on attempting to contact Jill directly in the next few days, but in the mean time I wish her and her family a safe and meaningful trip to Africa.
The last few months have been a quite an experience. I will try to describe the roller coaster I’ve been on since February and hope that it all makes sense! The days that have followed have given greater meaning to my life and filled me with a purpose…
In February of this year, I became a member of a website for moms, called Café Mom. Nothing really monumental, but in the grand scheme of things, I had no idea how that decision… and watching Oprah, would put catapult me toward becoming a person of action!
It was at Café Mom that I met my very dear friend, Rocky Turner. Rocky is the founder of www.Muthahood.com, and she and her husband Jeff are the proud parents of SIX, adorable children. Her, tell it like it is t-shirt business, first made me take notice of the work that she was doing. Shirts with sayings like… “You silly little man. You wouldn’t last one day in this hood!” and “24-7-365, Muthahood Ain’t for Sissies!”
Her blogs are funny, insightful and witty. It was there that I began to learn more about the global causes she supported, and more importantly, about the world beyond my back door.
We exchanged numbers in on Café Mom, and before long, we were calling each other 3-4 times a day. We did this between feeding and caring for the 10 kids we have between us every day! All while entertaining a 2 hour time difference!
It was in these conversations, that the idea for Mothers Fighting for Others was born.
Deciding that we still wanted to do more than spread awareness, we went a step further to make Mothers Fighting for Others a 501-C non-profit organization, which will become final later this week!!! We are so excited to have the opportunity to take our dream for Mothers Fighting for Others in this direction!
We have several projects that we are working on, including partnering with A Child’s Right, to bring 10 water filtration systems to orphanages in Guatemala, as well as, the One on One Project which we have submitted to American Express for consideration in the Members Project.
Project Description:
Uniting individual companies with individual orphanages all over the world. One On One will match businesses of all sizes with orphanages whose needs will be directly and specifically addressed by that single business. The goal is to use the power of one on one relationships, to the benefit of both. The orphanage wins because they have a single additional resource on which they can depend. The corporation wins, because they have the ability to see and feel how their dollars are directly impacting the lives of children. There is power in relationships. One On One will enhance that power and deliver a unique giving experience, one that will change lives on both sides by providing Internet technologies to unite real people with real people. They’ll see the progress, feel the change, know each other in ways unavailable through other organizations. Through Chat, Video and other real time and dynamic forms of electronic communication, we will engage people on a very real and personal level. One On One.
If you have an American Express account you can login, and vote for our idea. The more “conversation” that takes place on our idea, the better the odds we have of winning! Also, when you log in to access your American Express account, $1 gets donated to the funds for the charity that wins… up to $5 million dollars! As of right now there are more than 4,000 entries and ideas, so we need your help to bring us closer to being chosen for the prize!
We’d love your support and suggestions as we begin working on fundraising efforts for our organization. Do you have a resource or acquaintance that would be interested in networking with us?
We are moms answering a call to provide the basic necessities of life to all children. We are moms lending the power of our own opportunity to those that are less fortunate. We are moms acting as the voice of those who have none.
We are… Mothers Fighting for Others.
I got a hand addressed letter in the mail today. I was pretty sure it wasn’t a bill, so of course I was intrigued. I noticed right away that the paper smelled really good, but I had no idea why. (you’ll find out at the end of this post.)
Little did I know that the letter inside was going to make me cry…
The owner of The Aroma Group, Judith Benson, had written me because of the recent Bone Marrow Registry drive I had held in memory of little Trevor Kott. She had read about the drive, and heard about me from the newspaper article that had run the day of the drive.
She brought to my attention the story of a little boy named Zachary Chapman, from a small town of Morris, IL not too far from my home in Plainfield. Sadly, Zachary too, was battling a childhood cancer.
Here is an excerpt from the letter:
“Zachary was diagnosed in March of this year with acute myologic leukemia, one of the rarer forms of leukemia. On April 3rd, 2007 the mother of one of Zachary’s classmates started a fund-raising effort with The Aroma Group to raise money to help defray the family’s mounting medical bills.
A custom hang-tag with Zachary’s picture was created and hung from the “Angel of Hope” scented bear, and the sale was on! This mother took them to his school and sold to the teachers. She took them to soccer games, a clothing sale for Zachary, to businesses that wanted to sell them to their customers, and on and on.
The first week, 24 bears were sold earning $144. The second week, 35. The third week, 40, the fourth week, 67 and the by the fifth week, an additional 88! To date, $1,524 has been raised just through the sale of a scented Angel of Hope”
Judith’s letter continues on to explain how the program is available to anyone needing to raise money for someone in need. There is no money required up front, and all product is given on consignment, and is paid for as it is sold. The Aroma Group manufactures all of the Angels and can be reached at 815-725-5820.
I truly believe this letter was another message from Trevor. I feel like he’s calling me to get involved again, and that somehow and for some reason, I was chosen to play a unspoken role in his short but meaningful life.
I look forward to talking with Judith tomorrow and learning more about how I can help her on her mission to help families who need it most.
It’s hard to find a company to assist with fund-raising for a grass-roots campaign, and I think Judith’s program is fantastic. It really lends itself to endless possibilites for getting involved!
Maybe you know someone who would benefit from a fundraising event like this? Are you interested in hosting a fundraiser for someone you know? If so, give Judith a call at 815-725-5820.
I’m telling you this paper smells fabulous… I’d want one of these bears even if they weren’t for such a wonderful cause!
“If anyone speaks badly of you, live so that none will believe it”
Author unknown
Rocky and I met a few months ago on CafeMom. I like to call it, “MySpace for Moms.” Between the two of us, we are “mom” to 10 children.
Rocky (Head Mutha) and her husband, Jeff, are the proud parents to 6 beautiful children. My husband Tony and I are the equally proud parents to 4 adorable and energetic bundles of joy.
The first time I called Rocky on the phone, like a big nerd, I started crying. That, by the way, is just so typically me! I choked up as I confessed how much her posts on CafeMom had inspired me to “do more”. The truth is, I didn’t have the faintest idea of where I could even begin to make a difference in the world.
Little did I know, that the day I picked up the phone to call a stranger, was the day that would change my world!
I should point out that both Rocky and I are huge Oprah fans. Talk about being inspired! Besides, I’m from the Chicago area, and Oprah is one of our hometown heroes!
Rocky and I were both moved by Oprah’s Christmas Kindness Show that aired in 2005. It was about the children of South Africa and how Oprah brought them Christmas. I remembered the story well, mostly because I was challenged that same Christmas Day in 2005 by my mother in law. She questioned my desire to travel to South Africa to help the children of that region. I know her concern came mostly from the dangers of leaving the safety of American soil, but sadly, that is exactly the reason why so many people are afraid to stand up for the global community and become part of the solution.
So Our Search Began
Over the next several weeks we spent countless hours researching charities and not-for profit organizations that stand for what we both believe in.
One that stood out above the rest was A Child’s Right.
Every year millions of children die as a result of water related illnesses. Children die, because the water that they drink is contaminated with pathogens and bacteria. Water-related bacterial infections are the number one killer of children every year, globally. The sad truth is - they are all completely preventable!
Rocky and I have decided to team up with A Child’s Right to bring 10 UV water filtration systems to the children of Guatemala’s most needy. Our goal is to have them funded by the Spring of 2008. We chose Guatemala because it is the birthplace of Rocky’s two youngest children, and a region who’s children are in desperate need of the basic necessities of life.
We’re Almost Ready To Roll
Rocky and I have been busy organizing bone marrow drives in each of our areas, in memory of Trevor Kott, a six month old from Sacramento California. We have both been privileged and honored to help carry on the work of this amazing little boy.
As we finalize the details of our bone marrow registry drives, through the National Bone Marrow Registry in Trevor’s memory; we realize the importance of turning our focus once again to the work we’ve been inspired to do for A Child’s Right.
Plan on hearing more from both of us in the coming weeks and months, as we focus on obtaining the funds to supply water filtration systems to the children of Guatemala!
Mother Fighting for Others
For those of you who have been visiting this page; quite a few weeks ago a little boy named Trevor Kott found his way into my heart.
Trevor was born on October 14th, 2006,with a very rare type of cancer called AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). He endured 5 rounds of chemotherapy in hopes of keeping the cancer at bay until a compatible bone marrow donor could be found. As time went on and no donor could be located, and Trevor grew more ill.
In his short, but meaningful life, Trevor summoned up the good in people. He challenged strangers to answer a call to be good to each other; to take care of one another.
He made us take notice that, yes… one person can make a difference.
It was with great sadness and a heavy heart that I tell you, God called Trevor home this morning.
Some people search their entire lives in the pursuit of happiness, scurrying to fulfill a purpose, and struggling to understand the meaning of their lives. Trevor did all of that with what little time he had with all of us here on earth.
Trevor is a messenger. Countless lives will no doubt be saved because of the spirit of giving that Trevor invoked at the drives held in his honor.
Please remember the Kott family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their sweet baby. May Heaven hold him tight tonight.
6 month old Trevor Kott’s story aired tonight on CBS5 in San Francisco.
Clicking on the photo of Trevor and his mom Angela Kott, will take to you to the video broadcast of the segment that aired on the CBS5 news tonight.
Trevor’s doctor, Dr. Kent Jolly, said tonight he about a 5% chance for survival without a compatible bone marrow donor, and that most likely he only has 8 weeks to live without one.
Becoming a donor of the National Bone Marrow Registry is so simple… 4 swabs from the inside of your cheek. There are absolutely no needles involved.
Tissue typing of the samples usually takes 6-8 weeks, which is something that Trevor simply cannot spare. Expedited testing is being done for drives held in Trevor’s honor, but sadly even those take 4 weeks to analyze.
Trevor Kott is running out of time, and I need your help.
Go to the National Bone Marrow Registry site and search for a bone marrow drive in your area. If there isn’t a convenient location available you can request a test kit to be sent directly to your home by mail.
By becoming a donor you become part of the national registry. Even if you aren’t a match for Trevor, you could someday be a match for someone else. You could literally save someone’s life by making the decision to REACT to Trevor’s story.
The Kott family needs a miracle. Please seek out a way to become a donor this weekend.
Make up your mind right now to become a donor. Trevor doesn’t have time to wait…
In 2005 the United Nations High commissioner counted 20.8 million refugees in the world. Nine million of them are children.
Refugees, by definition, are people who have fled persecution in their own countries to seek safety in neighboring states. These people are seeking refuge from war, famine, natural disaster and genocide.
In addition to those the 9 million refugees, there are over 5.5 million displaced people who have remained in their own country but have been uprooted from their homes.
Ninemillion.org works with UNHCR ( the UN Refugee Agency ) to give refugee youth the chance to learn, play and be educated. 90% of all donations go directly toward implementing the programs that benefit the refugee children of the world globally.
This organization pays special attention to the girls and young women of poverty. Why?
“Because girls almost always bear the brunt of poverty.
If you are a refugee girl, you’re more likely to be the one your mother turns to for help in the home. You’re more likely to contract HIV or AIDS. You’re less likely to be allowed to learn or play.
Yet all the research shows that when you empower a girl and provide her with education, you increase the chances of an entire community to climb it’s way out of poverty”
Have you been inspired lately? You will after you read the journals of the teams who visited Uganda, Azerbaijan, and Thailand and what they experienced. The message was the same throughout…
Faced with uncertain futures and no place to call home, given the chance…these children had a remarkable desire to learn and play in an environment filled with adversity.
Get involved. Visit their site. What can you do to make a difference?
Shedd’s Spread Country Crock will donate a meal to America’s Second Harvest for every story of you share! As of this very moment the Spread the Sharing campaign has donated 5,319 meals to families in need! It’s so simple that the only thing it will cost you to participate, is about 10 minutes of your time.
Think about something you did to share with someone else. What has someone else done to share with you? Share your story, and instantly you can help provide a meal for a person in need.
The media message on the site notes that volunteerism is at a 30-year high. Those numbers are comprised mainly of 3 main groups; teens, baby boomers and senior citizens.
Country Crock is donating up to 1 million meals in exchange for sharing a story of generosity that you have participated in. After sharing your experience, you will be notified of its acceptance via e-mail,; check back to the site to view your submission. Please make sure to leave your comment on the Spread the Sharing website by clicking on the link.
Can’t think of anything? Then I think you’ve got some homework to do…
Giving doesn’t get any easier than this my friends!
I remember the first time I ever heard the terms HIV and AIDS. I was about 8 or 9 years old, and it was because it was the first time this disease ever made national news. It was also one of the first times I ever heard someone mention the word sex on t.v., and the first time I was introduced to the term, gay.
Wow, times have sure changed. Thankfully so has our understanding of this incurable disease.
For the most part, in America, we know what causes is it and how to prevent it, but there are still places in the world that do not have access to the education and resources needed to help prevent the spread of this deadly disease.
AVERT is an international HIV and AIDS charity based in the UK, with the aim of AVERTing HIV and AIDS worldwide.
AVERT has a number of overseas projects, helping with the problem of HIV/AIDS in countries where there is a particularly high rate of infection, such as South Africa, or where there is a rapidly increasing rate of infection such as in India.
When a country or village suffers from an outbreak of HIV and AIDS there is a ripple effect within the community. Sick parents are unable to work or care for their sick and ill children. The result of such conditions is extreme poverty and starvation in many areas. Many children are orphaned because of the death of one or both of their parents. The cycle is perpetual… and heart-breaking.
By donating to AVERT, you can help change the future of someone with HIV or AIDS. You can also donate by helping with their fund raising efforts.
Help bring an end to the cycle of poverty and death attributed to the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
Mothers Fighting for Others
Mike and Gina Peck really had their work cut out for themselves in 2000 when they founded Outreach Asia, but thanks to a staff that operates solely on volunteers, they are able to donate more than 95% of the money that they raise to fund the basic necessities of life to hundreds in Southeast Asia. That is huge!
Right now, Outreach Asia is using all of its generous donations to provide clean water, upgrading educational services, and providing much needed medical care for the many people in this region affected by leprosy.
They have sponsorships available for children and families on their website, as well as information on all of their ongoing projects throughout
Southeast Asia.
I am constantly amazed and inspired by the people and stories that I come across as I research information for these posts. I have been “introduced” to some really amazing people while compiling some of this information, both by the giving and receiving end of these gifts to humanity. There is a great little story about Mother Theresa on their site about how to end poverty…. but that’s a whole other post in itself!!!
Mike and Gina Peck have done all of the research and have the system in place. You can help them continue their work by donating to the work in Southeast Asia.
Mothers Fighting for Others
Trevor Kott must have a bone marrow transplant- SOON, but no one has yet been identified as a match. Trevor needs you!
Trevor is a 5 month old little boy who was born with AML (acute myeloid leukemia). Their family is from Sacramento California and he is desperate need of a bone marrow transplant within the next 6-8 weeks. He is very sick and without this transplant his outlook is grim.
No needles are involved in determining whether or not you are a match for Trevor, and the Kott family has established a fund at The Marrow Foundation to help defer the cost of tissue-typing.
I first heard about Trevor on a post on Cafe Mom, from a mom whose own son was born at the same hospital only 2 days before her own son in October. I can’t imagine how helpless this family must feel.
Very close friends of ours lost their 11 month old daughter Alexis Doukas, to acute onset leukemia just weeks before her first birthday. Hearing this story reminded me of how sad and tragic her death was for her family and everyone that knew her. Six years later, the loss that her family endures is heart wrenching.
If there is any chance you’d be willing to submit to tissue-typing in hopes of being a match for little Trevor, please click on this link to find a center in your area at AABB.
Mothers Fighting for Others
“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar”
Mothers Fighting for Others
I started crying when I read the Our Story of the Share Your Soles website. I know Rocky did too… I was on the phone with her when we first learned about what Mona Purdy was doing in Central America!
I had sent out a mass e-mail to my family and friends on Tom’s Shoes. Completely unexpectedly, my cousin Jennifer LaSota, replied back that her friend had a non-for-profit organization that helped put shoes on the feet of children in Central America called Share you Soles!
While Tom’s Shoes is doing it’s part to put new shoes on the feet of children across the globe… you can be part of the cure that enables a better life to every child across the globe by donating your previously worn shoes to Share Your Soles. To a child in need, it could mean the difference between life and limb.
Share Your Soles lets you be part of the prevention of preventable amputations and loss of limbs suffered by children from infection because they simply don’t own a pair of shoes! Every year hundreds of children lose their limbs to infection. You can donate your children’s outgrown shoes to Share Your Soles.
Mona Purdy’s story was completely inspirational!
I am in the process of contacting Mona right now, but for the time being… I am going to assume that she is in the process of delivering more shoes to kids in need! You can make a difference in the lives of so many children by organizing a shoe drive in your own school or neighborhood!
They aren’t doing anyone any good in that closet. Put them on the feet of a child that needs them!
Mothers Fighting for Others
Trickle UP is an organization aimed at leading the poorest people in world toward a life of empowerment, and helping them make their way out of poverty. Trickle UP supports the poor in Latin America and the Carribean, Asia, Africa, and the United States.
Once an entrepreneur has been indentified, Trickle UP extends the seed capital to start or expand a business. The money provided to do this is a grant, NOT a loan. Trickle UP works with the poor to develop a business plan, provide training, and provide the seed capital to be successful!
The typical Trickle UP entrepreneur is a woman under 40 who is responsible for raising children and paying for their schooling. Some of the entreprenuers have a disability or are living with HIV or AIDS. Those selected to receive a grant from Trickle UP (both men and women) are hard-working and resourceful.
Help turn someones dream of being self-sufficient into a reality by donating to this program.
Mothers Fighting for Others
World Swim Against Malaria is aimed at ending the cycle of death and poverty that is associated with Malaria. Every year there are about 400 million cases of Malaria in the world. Between 1 and 3 million of those cases end in death, mostly among children.
Malaria parasites are transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. While there is currently no vaccination for the prevention of Malaria, mosquito nets have been very successful in preventing the spread of this disease. The regions hardest hit by this disease are Central America, Asia, Africa, and South America.
By registering your swim at World Swim Against Malaria and obtaining sponsors, you can make a difference within a community by supplying mosquito nets for the areas most at risk. 100% of the proceeds from your event go directly toward the cause, and none of the money raised is used for administrative salaries or expenses… JUST NETS!
This is a perfect way for swim team members and municipal swimming facilities to raise money and awareness for this cause. Inspire your community to make a difference!
Mothers Fighting for Others
Safe, clean water is something most people in industrialized nations have never had to worry about, but sadly that is not the case throughout the global community.
About 1.1 billion people lack access to a safe supply of drinking water and each year more than 2.2 million people around the world die from water related illnesses. Most of these people are children in developing countries under the age of 5 according to the World Health Organization.
Access to clean and safe water sources throughout the world could help save the lives of 2.2 million people every year. No fancy drugs, no expensive research… the cure to this disease is water. Imagine that…
Clean water could be the difference between life and death for a child or their parents in a developing country, like Southeast Asia or Africa, where diarrhea, due to water related bacteria and pathogens, is responsible for as much as 8.5% and 7.7% of all deaths respectively.
World Water Day is a day to take action. Here is a thought….
Based on the national average for the cost of a $1.25 bottle of water, Americans are paying the equivalent of $10 per gallon! (and we thought gas was getting expensive?)
I’m not asking you to give up the convenience of “water on the go” but you can make one small change to your habits by purchasing a refillable water bottle and using water from another less expensive bottling source. In fact, buy 2 or 3 so you always have one on hand. You can purchase a gallon of bottled water for the same price as a single serve 8 oz bottle, and you’ve got your self the equivalent of 8 smaller bottles of water. (Now if you do the math here, you will realize I just saved you a TON of money!)
What are you going to do with all that extra money? I bet it could save someone’s life…
Watch for more on this subject as Head Mutha and I get ready to move forward with our plans to help bring clean water to all parts of the world. Everyone deserves clean water. Everyone deserves a chance at life.
Mothers Fighting for Others
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
~Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Invisible Children are the displaced youth of war torn Northern Uganda.
A civil war began there nearly 20 years ago when the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) rebelled against the Ugandan government.
10 years ago the people of Uganda were given 48 hours to leave their homes and travel to designated areas without any provided food, water or shelter. The children were being kidnapped to become soldiers for the LRA and were being stolen from their homes in the night. The desperate living conditions in the refugee camps from the last 10 years, has given way to starvation, death and disease.
The atrocities suffered by these displaced people, has led to a movement being led by a group of young film makers who documented the suffering that is still taking place in Uganda.
That movement is Invisible Children.
The most inspiring part of this organization is that it is being led by the next generation. It’s young people, inspiring other young people, to be the hand that reaches out to the global community.
Consider hosting a screening of Invisible Children by having a House Party.
Want to do more? Try this...
Here is the proof that getting involved works!
Mothers Fighting for Others
This is a GREAT opportunity. Without doing a thing, you can make a difference!
The Ebinger Family Challenge will donate $10 to Opportunity International when you complete the form attached to the site.
“$10 can move one person from a life of poverty to a life of dignity.“
$10 will provide one entrepreneur with a business loan, training, and other financial services. It will also change the lives of that person, their family, his employee, and his employee’s family!
The best part is that the effort to contribute to this cause takes no more energy than checking an e-mail! This is definitely worthy of passing on to family and friends!
