Happy soon-to-be March 2023 greetings one and all,
Here we are another year later!!
And though I'm off to a bit of a late start with my annual fundraising for this laudable annual cause, I still have much to be thankful for because of previous donors like many of you have been through the years as well as knowing the work the researchers involved with St. Baldricks do, truly makes a HUGE difference in the lives of the children afflicted with the myriad of pediatric cancers.
This will be my 15th year as a SHAVEE/Fundraiser (Crusader for a Cure at that) in the largest St. Baldricks Fundraising event in New Jersey, not to mention, one that ranks consistently in the top 10 nationally in Fundraising. In fact, our little Lawrenceville event has raised almost $2 Million since its kickoff 16 years ago in 2008 (the only year I didn't participate because I was a bit prideful at the time and just didn't see it as something for me. Thank goodness for Dan Collins who urged me to join the crowd the following year in 2009!
I'm so blessed to be part of this incredible event and as I look back over the years I've participated, the faces and names and the generous gifts and fundraising that occurred during that span...It quite simply humbles me beyond measure.
In that time frame, my little school, along with dozens of students, both girls, and boys, parents and friends, decided to take a stand against pediatric cancer and get out there and actually do something bold and something incredible, that has truly helped to make a difference in the lives of a child living with pediatric cancer.
I'm again honored and dedicate my efforts to three incredible kids, two of whom are now angels in our midst and one who is truly a walking miracle.
Though I did not know personally either Ethan Toohey (15) or Jillian Massey (6), both were irreplaceable souls and beloved human beings whose precious lives were cut short by cancer. I'm also honoring Aaron Thompson a young man, from our host town of Lawrenceville, NJ, who has bravely fought that fight and is now in remission.
I know we are living in very challenging and uncertain times...perhaps now more than ever, people are stretched to the limit with discretionary spending. I know I am and I'm sure many of you are as well. Last year through your incredible generosity, I for the 1st time achieved my goal of raising $5,000. I'm hoping and praying I can do the same this year and with your help, I know I can.
Collectively through the years, I've been able to raise almost $45,000, and my little school in Lawrenceville, with the help of students and parents, we've raised an astonishing $220,000 !!! We want to continue that effort and add to the nearly $2 Million the Lawrenceville St. Baldricks event has raised through the years.
If you can, and I hope you will, offer a prayer for Ethan, Jillian, and Aaron.
And if you can further, offer any donation of support and love for this very important cause will help the folks at St. Baldricks continue their work in eradicating pediatric cancers in all their many insidious but very treatable forms. St. Baldricks is the only pediatric fundraising organization where nearly .90 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the painstaking and expensive work researchers must do to find cures for these diseases.
Please consider a tax-deductible gift of any amount to this one cause I've dedicated my efforts towards. Click the link below to
https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1108538/2023
I'll wrap this up with a heartfelt wish of deep appreciation, heartfelt kindness, never-ending hope, good health, and good wishes to you and yours in the days ahead as 2023 unfolds before us.
Many many thanks for your kindness, generosity, and love.
Jeffrey
