A big thank you to Jonathan, a new commentator here on the blog, who has given this idea/invitation for you to help us raise funds by sitting at your keyboard.
Instead of using Yahoo or Google to search online, if you use GoodSearch.com, for every search you make, the Kyrie Foundation earns a penny! Just sign up (for free!), choose the Kyrie Foundation and type your search into the bar just like you would another search engine. You could make it your homepage or put the search bar into your toolbar instead of Yahoo.
Now here's the begging part: You have a lot of charities & causes from which to choose. I'm hoping, pleading & begging that you choose the Kyrie Foundation because we really need the help. The board is made of a few devoted volunteers whose heartache—not time or money or ego—brought them to this point. They work on the foundation, not as a full-time opportunity but amidst everything else: in the car, before work, while opening the mail, on the weekends, over their lunch hours, in airports, while they sleep and ... even in the bathroom.
The average research grant is $50K. That is the Kyrie Foundation's minimal goal every year. Anyone know how many bake sales that is? ;) And the Kyrie Foundation wants to financially help families, too. We know all too well that in these situations, the family precariously teeters over a bottomless pit of insatiable bills. So you can see that we have a steep hill to climb, using what resources we have but very conscious not to burn out our biggest supporters.
Please know that the foundation's "board of directors" are simply organizers. You make up the foundation. You, the blog reader, the t-shirt wearer, the friend, the relative, the classmate, the donation maker, the commentator, the business owner, the prayer giver—you are the Kyrie Foundation. You who want pediatric brain cancer to end—you, too, are the Kyrie Foundation. We've counted you among our most treasured blessings since day one with Kyrie's diagnosis. We hope that you will remain steadfast, inspired and encouraged with Kyrie as we all move together toward a cure.
Go, Kyrie, Go!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Thankful Thursday
Today I'm thankful for today. Often times, it's dreadfully difficult to be in the moment, isn't it?
Carpe diem? Nice in theory, but it's nearly impossible, almost inhuman. We're so caught in what happens next, what isn't done, what's going on over there that we lose right now. The very trendy phrase "live in the moment" doesn't tell you how to live in the moment. And that's what we need to know, right?
So for right now, it's right now. Threats loom on the horizon, doubt plagues like the plague, worry is hovering overhead, pain lingers at the legs, still, this moment, and this one and this one and this one are as real as you will ever get, even if it's at a desk, in the kitchen, on the beach, in the car or up above.
What are you thankful for today?
Carpe diem? Nice in theory, but it's nearly impossible, almost inhuman. We're so caught in what happens next, what isn't done, what's going on over there that we lose right now. The very trendy phrase "live in the moment" doesn't tell you how to live in the moment. And that's what we need to know, right?
So for right now, it's right now. Threats loom on the horizon, doubt plagues like the plague, worry is hovering overhead, pain lingers at the legs, still, this moment, and this one and this one and this one are as real as you will ever get, even if it's at a desk, in the kitchen, on the beach, in the car or up above.
What are you thankful for today?
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
For the shoppers ...
If you visit the Kyrie Foundation Web site and click under donate & shop, you'll see the icon for iGive. iGive is a site that is set up to retrieve donations from online shopping at venues like Target, PetSmart, Bombay Company, Home Depot, Lane Bryant, Avon, HSN.com, Bass Pro Shops, Ebay, Dean & Deluca, Sephora and so many more.
You sign up for free & choose your cause. (The Kyrie Foundation is already set up in their system.) Then shop away! The key is to use your iGive portal to get to the stores' Web sites. So if you go to Target.com and shop, there won't be a donation made. Gotta go through iGive to Target.com to get the credit.
I also completed three reviews for Viewpoints.com (an opportunity sent to me by iGive), and I earned $5 for the Kyrie Foundation!
And now through October 2, 2007, several stores are doubling their donations to the Kyrie Foundation: Home Bistro (those gourmet dip/soup/bread mixes), Staples, Land's End, Drugstore.com, JCPenney's, Doctors Foster & Smith, Nordstrom, Quill, Expedia & NewEgg.
The cool thing is that you're donating while you're shopping for things you'd purchase anyway. Painless!
Good to keep in mind as holiday shopping draws near ... ;)
You sign up for free & choose your cause. (The Kyrie Foundation is already set up in their system.) Then shop away! The key is to use your iGive portal to get to the stores' Web sites. So if you go to Target.com and shop, there won't be a donation made. Gotta go through iGive to Target.com to get the credit.
I also completed three reviews for Viewpoints.com (an opportunity sent to me by iGive), and I earned $5 for the Kyrie Foundation!
And now through October 2, 2007, several stores are doubling their donations to the Kyrie Foundation: Home Bistro (those gourmet dip/soup/bread mixes), Staples, Land's End, Drugstore.com, JCPenney's, Doctors Foster & Smith, Nordstrom, Quill, Expedia & NewEgg.
The cool thing is that you're donating while you're shopping for things you'd purchase anyway. Painless!
Good to keep in mind as holiday shopping draws near ... ;)
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Person of the Week
Each week, ABC News honors a person worth noting. Last Friday, in case you missed it, their person of the week was Randy Pausch, a 46-year-old Carnegie Mellon computer science professor who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This 19-minute lecture on "How to Live Your Childhood Dreams" is worth a listen.
You can read a little about Randy here, too.
You can read a little about Randy here, too.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Somedays.
Somedays are tough. Somedays are fraught with doubt & confusion & worry & frustration not only with ourselves but also with regard to others in our lives and even with regard to God's plans. There are plenty of somedays where I still wonder where all of our prayers went. There are plenty of times where fairness is completely MIA to what shakes out at the end of the day. Supremely difficult to step away from feelings and into faith, isn't it?
As a manner of practice, there is a nifty site that gently helps stir a bit of faith back into the day. Sacred Space is a daily online prayer site, a site that brings a little soul into the soulessness of technology.
Here's the passage for today:
Ephesians 4, 1-7
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
As a manner of practice, there is a nifty site that gently helps stir a bit of faith back into the day. Sacred Space is a daily online prayer site, a site that brings a little soul into the soulessness of technology.
Here's the passage for today:
Ephesians 4, 1-7
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
A thought.
"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good."
Author Unknown
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Step by step.
Around 2:30 a.m. at the Relay for Life event in Maryville, you could tell who was in it to win it, so to speak. Most of those who donated by way of nachos, a couple minutes in the bounce house or through the silent auction had gone home. Those left (and there were plenty) were either manning the booths, warming up the omlette griddles or walking round & round, lap after lap around the luminaries holding their team's baton, which could be virtually anything: a sparkly baton with streamers, an altered Barbie doll, a stick, a decorated plunger.
There were groups of people walking & laughing, power duos working up a sweat, lone walkers deep in contemplation. Among those circumnavigating were three walkers who slowly, steadily made their laps methodically and with monosyllabic conversation. Three men, each wearing hats to cover their heads rather than express fashion; two in bib overalls flanked the one in old Wranglers. Three men whose slightly bowed, ambling gait was the result of wearing work boot for decades; tonight they wore support sneakers. Three men who walked with a good yard, a manly distance, between themselves, but waiting for one another should one's pace outdistance the remaining. Three men in no hurry. One step then another. Little by little. Chipping away the wee minutes of the morning, walking for someone who couldn't.
You could tell that they certainly weren't there to be seen, not because they had to or even because they felt emboldened by doing something for charity. It was just a quiet, steadfast expression of support. Not a race to the end, but a determined presence to do something that from the outside looks like walking but intrinsically meant having paramount moxie to brawl with cancer. They weren't looking for thanks or even appreciation. They were doing it just because, one step at a time.
And what we're doing--a tee-shirt here, a conversation there--may seem small right now, but every time you tell someone about Kyrie or the foundation, you're growing the cause by leaps and bounds. You're part of this. Thank you for walking with us.
There were groups of people walking & laughing, power duos working up a sweat, lone walkers deep in contemplation. Among those circumnavigating were three walkers who slowly, steadily made their laps methodically and with monosyllabic conversation. Three men, each wearing hats to cover their heads rather than express fashion; two in bib overalls flanked the one in old Wranglers. Three men whose slightly bowed, ambling gait was the result of wearing work boot for decades; tonight they wore support sneakers. Three men who walked with a good yard, a manly distance, between themselves, but waiting for one another should one's pace outdistance the remaining. Three men in no hurry. One step then another. Little by little. Chipping away the wee minutes of the morning, walking for someone who couldn't.
You could tell that they certainly weren't there to be seen, not because they had to or even because they felt emboldened by doing something for charity. It was just a quiet, steadfast expression of support. Not a race to the end, but a determined presence to do something that from the outside looks like walking but intrinsically meant having paramount moxie to brawl with cancer. They weren't looking for thanks or even appreciation. They were doing it just because, one step at a time.
And what we're doing--a tee-shirt here, a conversation there--may seem small right now, but every time you tell someone about Kyrie or the foundation, you're growing the cause by leaps and bounds. You're part of this. Thank you for walking with us.
Monday, September 17, 2007
The artist behind the logo.
The talented artist that designed the Kyrie Foundation logo is creative in many, many ways. Julie Reed knits, felts, graphically illustrates, collects and designs all from her home base in Kansas City. With all that busy creation, she has somehow found time to launch her Etsy shop. For those of you unfamiliar with Etsy, it's a great site where you can buy or sell handmade items from artisans all over the globe. Super great if you're looking for something really unique and special for a gift.
Feel free to check out these sites to learn more about Julie:
Etsy shop
Portfolio
Blog
And her designs have been selected by this entity's holiday store. Very, very cool stuff here.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Thankful Thursday
Today I'm thankful for Thursdays. I love how this has become the day of the week that we've singled out to find something worth acknowledging. I love that Thursdays feel sturdy, like four properly inflated tires, like Abraham Lincoln, like a good hug. I love that Thanksgiving will always fall on a Thursday (apropos, huh?). I love that Thursdays happen all over the world ... every week! And I'm thankful that Kyrie made me thankful.
What are you thankful for today?
What are you thankful for today?
Monday, September 10, 2007
Relay for Life
What an amazing event!
We put a ton of time & effort toward creating a booth for the Kyrie Foundation in conjunction with Chad's cousin, who was promoting melanoma awareness, a tenacious cancer affecting her husband. I think we were the only booth centered on educating people about specific cancers, a fact not gone unnoticed. Toward the end of the event, a man came up and said how great he thought it was that two families would come together to raise money and awareness. We thought that part was pretty great, too.
We began early in the day to stake out our electricity and put up our tent. Thanks, Uncle Paul! Then we headed to the house to decorate our luminaries both for Kyrie and Jenni's husband, Brian.
The kick-off began at 6 p.m. with a survivors lap and the all-teams lap. Then we got down to business telling people about Kyrie, about the foundation and selling those shirts!
Of course, those in our booth wore our Kyrie shirts. Such a great response to the design. Karis, a regular commentator here on the blog, said that she couldn't wait for the first time she'd be out in Maryville and see someone wearing a Go, Kyrie, Go! shirt. Us, too!
We learned a ton and can't wait to be at the next Relay in Wichita & K.C. And we walked and walked and walked and walked until the wee hours of the morn, giving our raffle gift basket at 4 a.m. to Joy, another proud owner of a Kyrie tee. Kyrie's & Brian's luminaries shined brightly the whole time.
One look at this event and anyone could see the massive abundance of love. So many luminaries. So many walkers. So many stories. So many people donating their time, money and resources to raise money to fight cancer. So much love. But in another sense, you could calculate the pain. All the families & friends who were there because of agony or loss, because this is one of the only positive ways, as Chad would say, "to turn tragedy into triumph."
We put a ton of time & effort toward creating a booth for the Kyrie Foundation in conjunction with Chad's cousin, who was promoting melanoma awareness, a tenacious cancer affecting her husband. I think we were the only booth centered on educating people about specific cancers, a fact not gone unnoticed. Toward the end of the event, a man came up and said how great he thought it was that two families would come together to raise money and awareness. We thought that part was pretty great, too.
We began early in the day to stake out our electricity and put up our tent. Thanks, Uncle Paul! Then we headed to the house to decorate our luminaries both for Kyrie and Jenni's husband, Brian.
The kick-off began at 6 p.m. with a survivors lap and the all-teams lap. Then we got down to business telling people about Kyrie, about the foundation and selling those shirts!
Of course, those in our booth wore our Kyrie shirts. Such a great response to the design. Karis, a regular commentator here on the blog, said that she couldn't wait for the first time she'd be out in Maryville and see someone wearing a Go, Kyrie, Go! shirt. Us, too!
We learned a ton and can't wait to be at the next Relay in Wichita & K.C. And we walked and walked and walked and walked until the wee hours of the morn, giving our raffle gift basket at 4 a.m. to Joy, another proud owner of a Kyrie tee. Kyrie's & Brian's luminaries shined brightly the whole time.
One look at this event and anyone could see the massive abundance of love. So many luminaries. So many walkers. So many stories. So many people donating their time, money and resources to raise money to fight cancer. So much love. But in another sense, you could calculate the pain. All the families & friends who were there because of agony or loss, because this is one of the only positive ways, as Chad would say, "to turn tragedy into triumph."
Friday, September 7, 2007
Relay for Life
Headed to Maryville, MO, this evening for an American Cancer Society Relay for Life event. The trunk is loaded with Kyrie shirts, and we're hoping that folks in Nodaway County fall for them like we have. We'll take plenty of pix and post 'em on Monday.
Go, Kyrie, Go!!!!!!!
Go, Kyrie, Go!!!!!!!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Thankful Thursday
Today I'm thankful for sharing, specifically your stories & ideas shared here. When passed on, stories & ideas pour onto the soul like sunshine through a window on a January afternoon. And when Susan shares her luminary design, or Erin shares her Go, Kyrie, Go idea, or Mother of 2 shares a lesson, or Karis shares a little reminder, or Melissa shares a song, or Jordan & Lacie shares Kyrie's story, suddenly, what seems a simple thought to the giver multiplies in proportion & purpose. Stories become resonating feelings; feelings create empathy & community. Ideas become personal goals; goals become motivation & inspiration. Amazing, isn't it?
Ksfaith, a longtime reader & commentator here, shared a moving video with me a while back that's really something. Ksfaith herself is really something, too. She is a magnificently talented dancer who has traveled the globe with her award-winning, passionate skill that she uses to express artful stories through muscular grace. As a young mother and faith-filled follower, she now choreographs and teaches dance to the next generation. While not her work, the video resonated with her in a way that deserves to be passed on. This video is a choreographed skit by young adults in Knoxville, TN, to Lifehouse's "Everything" song. An unusual interpretation of the world versus The Big Guy. Pretty neat.
What are you thankful for today?
p.s.
Shirts are back in stock! If you haven't ordered already, just mail us your quantity, sizes & payment, and we'll pop 'em in the mail to you ASAP.
Ksfaith, a longtime reader & commentator here, shared a moving video with me a while back that's really something. Ksfaith herself is really something, too. She is a magnificently talented dancer who has traveled the globe with her award-winning, passionate skill that she uses to express artful stories through muscular grace. As a young mother and faith-filled follower, she now choreographs and teaches dance to the next generation. While not her work, the video resonated with her in a way that deserves to be passed on. This video is a choreographed skit by young adults in Knoxville, TN, to Lifehouse's "Everything" song. An unusual interpretation of the world versus The Big Guy. Pretty neat.
What are you thankful for today?
p.s.
Shirts are back in stock! If you haven't ordered already, just mail us your quantity, sizes & payment, and we'll pop 'em in the mail to you ASAP.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
As promised ...
Andrea really did an amazing job--plus she straightened it for a fab finish.
Mother of 2, what a WONDERFUL story! Such a gift to correct our own thinking by a memorable example. And kudos to you for being able to admit a shortcoming. Many people can't even get that far, let alone decide to change. Way to go!
Karis, are you out there? Did I hear that you might have a story about this past weekend, too?
Mother of 2, what a WONDERFUL story! Such a gift to correct our own thinking by a memorable example. And kudos to you for being able to admit a shortcoming. Many people can't even get that far, let alone decide to change. Way to go!
Karis, are you out there? Did I hear that you might have a story about this past weekend, too?
Monday, September 3, 2007
Thank you so much.
A huge thank you to all of you who put special thoughts & prayers into the world this weekend on Kyrie's birthday. We are continually amazed at your generosity of time, treasure and compassion, especially those acts of kindness & prayers supporting Jordan & Lacie.
The first official board meeting for the Kyrie Foundation was very productive--so many good ideas to make little dollars do big things. We hope that you stay tuned for ways to help fund the fight against pediatric brain cancer.
Also, this weekend, it was time for me to make good on a promise I made during Kyrie's first stay in the hospital--donating my hair. Andrea at Fringe Salon in Wichita did a fantastic job! (Photo to come soon.) Please, if you get a chance, patron this salon: ultra-fab environment, ultra-talented stylists. Thank you, Andrea!
The first official board meeting for the Kyrie Foundation was very productive--so many good ideas to make little dollars do big things. We hope that you stay tuned for ways to help fund the fight against pediatric brain cancer.
Also, this weekend, it was time for me to make good on a promise I made during Kyrie's first stay in the hospital--donating my hair. Andrea at Fringe Salon in Wichita did a fantastic job! (Photo to come soon.) Please, if you get a chance, patron this salon: ultra-fab environment, ultra-talented stylists. Thank you, Andrea!
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