Jack

An email from reader/blogger Vickie:

Friends of ours back home (the Philippines) have a 5-year old boy who's been diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia.  It's very rare worldwide, with few experts back home who can deal with the condition.

Jack (our friends' son) needs to have a bone marrow transplant. They're trying to raise $350,000 through any and all means.  (FYI, health care/health insurance in the Philippines: virtually non-existent.  Our friends are considered well-off -- they're both college-educated, and belong to the top 10% income-wise, which is not difficult considering how poor the country is.  They probably make the equivalent of $25,000 a year before taxes.)

We thought of trying to help them using fundable.org -- we're hoping to raise $5000 by Christmas day. It's a fraction of what they need, but we thought we'd set our sights low. The good thing is that if the fund exceeds the goal before the target date, the fund will continue accepting pledges.  So if we can raise more than $5k, all the better for Jack.

I know this time of year is crazy hard on the pocketbook, but I know a lot of you were so touched by AtomicTumor's story and wanted to help his family out (you still can, by the way, details are in the right-hand sidebar). You guys are good people like that. So....yeah. Here's another story about another family who could really use a good helping of the Kindness of Virtual Strangers.

Here's the blog about little Jack, and some info about his illness. Vickie's husband wrote a post about Jack as well.

Comments

[Me]

Amy,

I tried to post a comment to her blog(s), but no luck.

Can you contact her and have her email me at seenyetnotheard @ yahoo.com?

She needs to contact St. Jude in Memphis, TN. They run the Fanconi Anemia Comprehensive Care Program- top in the world. I have contact info (including the primary dr's name) that I would love to share.

St. Jude will arrange for funders to bring them (the family) over here for treatment. They can even stay at the Target House, which caters to intl patients.

And all (yes ALL) of St. Jude's treatment is free. COmpletely. No cost at all.

I'd love to help. St. Jude treated my niece's cancer 2 years ago. It's an amazing wonderful place!

[Brandee]

I hate to be a scrooge, and I hate to criticize, but I'll be sorely disappointed if this blog becomes a round up of all the hopeless and helpless in the world, constantly begging for donations. As it is, it's updated less often than most other ClubMom blogs, and I thought it was supposed to be the "leader" blog. But, maybe someone pissed in my coffee this morning.

[AT]

Folks,
I'm not even in the same class as this poor guy Jack... seriously. Don't consider helping us over him (we've already had way more help than I'll ever be able to 'pay forward')
While I appreciate the help, this is somebody who REALLY needs it.

I'm completely ignorant about this as well as many other things, but St. Jude has always done right by people I know of. I'd agree with the commenter above.

"But, maybe someone pissed in my coffee this morning."
Brandee, that was me. I apologize, I was sleepy, and it was a big mug...

[flybunny]

Please have them visit http://www.alexandmatt.com this is a family from St. Louis where both of their children have FA and have both had bone marrow transplants. They also have tons of resources and would just be a good place to get support. The mom keeps the journal updated and is VERY approachable - just a thought

[Brandee]

It was either you, AT, or my 3 year old. My bet is on him. To clarify, I was not referring to Amy referring us to your blog - because I appreciated the link greatly and have been moved by the story. It's just posts like this, that are out of nowhere, that can become the norm for a blog with so much power, with pleas for a story we haven't even been following before today -- well, they rub me the wrong way. Give us the link to the blog, and let us choose where to donate. I dunno - like I said - it's a grumpy day for me.

[rae]

I was also going to suggest the family get in touch with St. Jude. I work there and it is the most wonderful place in the whole world. And the family pays for NOTHING.

[rae]

I was also going to suggest the family get in touch with St. Jude. I work there and it is the most wonderful place in the whole world. And the family pays for NOTHING.

[Amalah]

Well.

Personally, I was really moved by this story. I haven't followed it either, save the hour or two I spent reading about it today.

A child is dying. Money can help. I was asked to use this blog's considerable "power" to throw a little attention towards this little family's plight. It's hard to pass this over in favor of something with more "entertainment value." Or whatever.

I figure you guys can choose to donate. Or not. Nobody is holding a gun to anybody's head here.

But if a reader here can help, via donation or just naming an institution or resource that might ultimately help this family save their son...how could I risk NOT posting about it because it might piss somebody off?

[Brandee]

My point, while clouded by my considerable bitchiness, is that you're going to be asked by a lot of people to post about a lot of causes. If the Daily Dose is going to be more of a three times a week Dose, with some doses being plights for money - well, I guess I'd just rather find the blogs on my own. I think I would feel differently if I wasn't so looking forward to reading some posts from you each day, and being a little miffed when I find that it's two or three lines every few days and a plea for funds on every other day.

[vickie]

I'm de-lurking to say that I'm the Vickie who approached Amy. First of all, thanks for all the positive words and advice--I've sent this to Babette (Jack's mom) and I'm hoping she's inspired and gets more positive responses from St. Jude's than she has from other hospitals.

Second, to Brandee and others who may feel along the same lines: I can see where you're coming from. I too love to read my favorite parentbloggers and the craziness going on in their lives and their take on whatnot, and I can understand being disappointed by an entry like today's. (Plus I know lots of people have been burned by fake calls for help.)

At the same time, the reason I thought of approaching my favorite mom/dad-bloggers (like Amalah) is that they have a big impact on the blogging world and could link Jack's family up with a wider network of people who can afford the donation or offer invaluable advice or help in some way we haven't even thought of, as some here already have. (Amy, let me say again how grateful I am that you chose to write about Jack!)

Also, if I were Jack's mom, I know I'd try anything and everything to save my child. To be honest I didn't think this gambit would work. (I was fully prepared to have Amy turn me down, and I'm so glad she didn't!) I'm buoyed by all the suggestions here.

It wouldn't matter to us if our fund didn't make the target, if in the end St. Jude's can help Jack out.

Thanks and blessing to you all!

[Brandee]

Vickie -- I'm really not cold and heartless! :( I don't blame you for coming to amalah, and I'd probably have done the same thing. I think the suggestions that came out of calling St. Judes is worth all the money in the world. I have been burned by a request like this before, and even though this is legit, would have liked to have seen amalah respect her readers enough to write a post about the blog, and not ask for us to donate.

[vickie]

No worries, no judgments, Brandee! Peace to you:) and everyone.

[vickie]

Sorry to use this as a bulletin board but Rae, you don't have email linked to your name? (Is that just my ignorance showing?) Anyhow Babette's been told by St. Jude's that there are "no open protocols at this time"--rejected, in other words. If you can suggest other ways for Jack to get into St. Jude's, that would be most welcome!

[Me]

Brandee, hush. Didn't your momma tell you if you don't have something nice to say, keep your mouth shut? (and I mean that in the sweetest way possible)

I really enjoy this blog. For me, reading online is more than the latest silly story or elaborate hoax, or funny mutterings of a 2 yr old.

This is a community, and being a large community, its hard to keep track of what's going on in everyone's life.

Amy, we know you're going through a move (so are we) and it's virtually impossible to keep the blog updated on a daily basis. I'm sure after Christmas/the move we'll see more action. Right now, most of the bloggers have gone on hiatus, shopping for children's presents, finishing up year-end projects at work, etc.

Keep posting the human interest stories, some of us with compassionate souls really really enjoy them. It's nice to think that we might can make a difference in someone's life a world away all through the power of "teh internet".

People need good news stories this time of year- and all year, for that matter. We've all become so wrapped up in our own little worlds that we have stopped caring about the people around us. We were made to help others, not to amass a giant fortune and sit around waiting to be entertained.

The days of the corporate-owned court jesters dancing for entertainment have gone. We are free thinking, independent, and courageous adults, and I commend Amy for standing behind her position of using this blog's "power" for the good of mankind.

If you want jokes, read the comics.

(stepping off my soapbox yet again, I've GOT to stop doing this)

[Megan]

I'm with Brandee.

I agree that the occasional "please help this kid/family out, if you can" is great. There's a lot of traffic on this blog, and you might get a few readers who can say "I know exactly what this person is going through, and I can help," be it financially, with advice, or a shoulder to cry on. That's *awesome*.

But this "daily" blog is becoming more and more "here's another family that needs help." While it doesn't have to be all entertainment, all the time (because that's not cool, either - and besides, parenting isn't all fun and games), it seems like it's only pointing out the best of the best of those who need a$$istance.

[Megan]

One more -

"I think I would feel differently if I wasn't so looking forward to reading some posts from you each day, and being a little miffed when I find that it's two or three lines every few days and a plea for funds on every other day."

Brandee, I agree 100%.

[Amalah]

Guys, your criticisms are noted. Thanks for the feedback. I thought I *was* keeping these kinds of posts limited -- I went through the archives and the last charity-related post (for autism) was November 3, unless I missed something. (AT's story was more of "thoughts and prayers" thing, I thought.) I guess I wonder why you guys seem to think I'm doing posts like this "every other day" when honestly it's been closer to once a month. But! Again. Noted, and I'll be mindful of that impression.

(By the way, my posting obligations on this blog are changing to 3 times a week, hence the less-frequent updating. Just an FYI.)

[Amalah]

(Eeesh, that comment reads a lot more defensive than I intended. Stupid cold meds. [Oh yes! We're all sick here again, as Noah's eyeteeth have decided to appear like, MINUTES after his final molar cut through.] Anyway, I appreciate everyone who reads this drivel and the honest feedback. That is all.)

[Ashley]

Ha, interesting how an entry that was meant to call attention to a five year old who is in a life-threatening situation suddenly turned into "Hey now, lets talk about ME. Lets talk about me and what I don't like. Because, you know, it's more important."

Amy - I enjoy your writing and thank you for calling my attention to this cause. My prayers (and my wallet!!) are with his family.

[Me]

Oh, poor Noahalah!

I'm sure you're already a fan of Popsicles, but have you tried giving him a cold wet washrag?

It's a miracle item. For real. Try it. (the rougher the rag, the more comfort it applies, so you might want to run to walmart (!!!) and get a few cheapies.)

[Me]

Oh, poor Noahalah!

I'm sure you're already a fan of Popsicles, but have you tried giving him a cold wet washrag?

It's a miracle item. For real. Try it. (the rougher the rag, the more comfort it applies, so you might want to run to walmart (!!!) and get a few cheapies.)

[Me]

Oh, poor Noahalah!

I'm sure you're already a fan of Popsicles, but have you tried giving him a cold wet washrag?

It's a miracle item. For real. Try it. (the rougher the rag, the more comfort it applies, so you might want to run to walmart (!!!) and get a few cheapies.)

[Me]

How bizarre, the computer freezes up for 5 minutes, locked on the "confirm/retype this word" screen, then suddenly posts my thoughts in triplicate.

Lovely. Or should I say, Lovely Lovely Lovely.

Sorry, Amy.

[ELISABETTAzY]

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