Once again, this event will take place in Boston with portions being held at Boston Children's Hospital. Leading experts from around the United States will be in attendance, speaking to parents and caregivers, giving the latest details in treatment and the latest updates in the research. The Grand Finale of the Conference happens Friday, October 14th, when we gather together for the big NKH Crusaders Fundraiser.
NKH Crusaders was started by my Dear Friend, Kristin Archibald, whose son Thomas has NKH. Since NKH is so rare, and since there are so few individuals affected by it, research is scarce. Denver Children's and Notre Dame are now partnering and researching together, finding better treatment and maybe one day, they will find a cure for this terrible, terminal disorder. The main funds for these researchers are fueled by those raised OUTSIDE of their programs, such as those raised by NKH Crusaders. It can easily be said that research is still being conducted solely because of the efforts of NKH Crusaders and the financial support and efforts of the families affected. It's a big deal and something we very much support! If you want to donate to NKH research, you donate to NKH Crusaders, so you can imagine just how important this fundraiser is to ALL of us within the NKH Community.
Shortly after Ellie Kate's death, a special fund through NKH Crusaders was created in her name.
The "Ellie Kate Helping Hands Fund" serves our fellow NKH families from around the world. It is the only fund of it's kind - the only one named after an NKH child, and ohmygoodness, friends - we are beyond proud and are insanely grateful that other NKH kids can receive Ellie Kate's "reckless love" through this special fund!
"Ellie Kate's Helping Hands" allows families to apply for financial help, which assists with things such as medical equipment and other special items or services that the family isn't able to obtain on their own. The money for this special fund will be raised this year at the NKH Crusaders Fundraiser in Boston, which will be an auction. A table will be set up with Ellie Kate's picture and her story, as well as information on this special fund. We would like to fill the table with beautiful items that will help raise money for this very worth cause! During the past NKH Crusaders fundraiser, we raised $1,000 through our auction table and this year, we hope to raise at LEAST $2,000 with hopes of assisting around 15 fellow NKH families.
This is where we need your help . . .
- Do you have any special or autographed items you would donate to be auctioned-off, in Ellie's name, at this event?
- Do you own a small business and have extra new items on hand that you could donate to be auctioned-off?
- Do you make or sell jewelry, stationary, soaps, etc that you could donate?
- Do you have any art, or could you create art, to be auctioned-off for this special fund?
*Your donated items can be mailed directly to Kristin Archibald before the fundraiser and medical conference. Mike and I really hope we get to attend and if so, we will take some items with us on the trip.
*Items valued $200 or higher are eligible for a tax-write off
*Items valued $200 or higher are eligible for a tax-write off
*If you are interested in helping with this October auction and if you have items you would like to donate for Ellie Kate's Helping Hands fund, please contact me by SEPTEMBER 5th so we can make plans to get your items to Boston in time.
*Do you have LARGE items that would appeal to a GRAND audience (more than those visiting the table in Boston on October 14th)? If so, let me know! We plan to have an online auction later this fall and into December, to help us celebrate "Ellie Kate's Month of Reckless Love"!
*There will be more opportunities for you to give to this special fund, so be watching the Blog for details!
*"Ellie Kate's Helping Hands" fund is not associated with our family's account with Helping Hands International. Helping Hands International houses our family's medical fund and donations toward us personally. "Ellie Kate's Helping Hands" is purely associated with NKH Crusaders and is only used in helping our fellow NKH Families around the world.
The McLaughlin Family receives NO PART OF THE "Ellie Kate Helping Hands" Fund, but rather all of those donations go directly to NKH Crusaders.
We are thrilled to see what God will do in and through the auction, and I know there are some very special families He wants to love and care for through this special fund in Ellie Kate's Name!
I can't wait to hear from YOU about the items you are willing to donate for this fabulous cause - one that is so near and dear to our hearts.
Don't forget - contact me by SEPTEMBER 5th if you have items to be included.
Thank you, in advance, for serving and loving NKH families just like ours, by donating your items to the NKH Crusaders Fundraising Auction!
No comments:
Post a Comment