As I mentioned recently in the PFAM carnival hosted here on May 25th, I have decided to team up with a Pacific Northwest lupus non-profit who donates 100% of their funds raised toward lupus research.
The Leap For Lupus Foundation began in 2004 after one of the founder’s, Valinda Mitchell, experienced her own road back to health after a diagnosis of lupus. Once she made it back on her feet, she started moving towards raising awareness (along with her friends and family) and to increase financial support for research in order to discover more effective and less brutal treatment options for patients. Her feet haven’t stopped moving since and she has gone to great heights (literally) to encourage those of us here in the Pacific NW to take the leap ourselves.
I am answering that call by announcing this year my commitment to jump in and help raise research dollars. Rather than simply making this a personal quest, I am offering this opportunity to raise your voices and support research, whether you live here in Oregon and Washington or outside our area. For the jump, a minimum donation of $500 is required and, the way I see it, I only need 50 people to contribute $10 to make that minimum. I would love to see that amount grow, however. The proceeds will go directly to the University of Washington Division of Rheumatology , where Leap For Lupus has donated over $75,000 since they began operation.
I have put a Pay Pal donation button on our website that will lead you to a chance in promoting your own story (or the story of a loved one living with lupus). Here is what your $10 donation will provide you:
~ space for you to place your photo, bio and anything you would like to say on the jumpsuit I will be wearing on the jump. The theme for the optional written contributions is to share something about your own leap of faith that you take every day while living with lupus. This may include a brief paragraph offering some gratitude to those who support you, a poem, personal goals or a wish for the days ahead.
~ a certificate with your name, your donation and photos of your submissions on the jumpsuit as well as a picture of the Leap For Lupus crew. I will also be promoting the leap project via the internet (my website, social online media, newspapers, and lupus organizations worldwide.
~ knowledge that 100% of your donation will be submitted to research, of which is tax-deductible.
The goal for my jump is for this August and as soon as I have completed the jumpsuit, I will post a photo of it here. I encourage you to visit Leap For Lupus on their website and learn more about these great people. Valinda is being very supportive and, if you need more information about my project, I encourage you to contact either or both of us with any questions you might have. Once I’ve received your $10 donation, I will contact you to discuss the details on what you’d like to submit. So be sure to include your email or address with your donation.
Well wishes to you all~ and thank you in advance for considering to join me on this fundraising project.
To donate $10 for space on the jumpsuit or a contribution for the event at any amount you choose:
