Welcome to Georgia's Journey

Georgia Lily Lucas was born at home on October 6th, 2008 4:15am, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was diagnosed with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) on April 1, 2009.

On April 3rd Georgia was taken home, to be near her sisters and the rest of her family and friends. Nearly three weeks later, on April 21, 2009, she died peacefully -- in the loving arms of her mother and in the same room in which she was born.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Something Bigger

Have you ever felt like you wanted to be a part of something that is bigger than yourself? Have you ever felt like you could be doing more but you're not sure what? Well, the Strong's have put out a challenge asking us all to do more and I have accepted. In a nutshell, the very promising stem cell trials down in California are lacking funding. The Strong's are asking 20 families affected by SMA to raise $5000 each raising a total of $100 000. This money will help to bridge the funding gap to come up with $500 000. Let me make this clear. Mike and I don't have $5000 just lying around to hand over. In fact, when I first read the post on www.gwendolynstrong.com I felt uncomfortable. I feel a little bit like I am being pushed outside of my comfort zone and taking on a challenge that I'm not sure how to complete.

Georgia's Journey of Hope on October 3rd has commited itself to donating all proceeds to FSMAC. I promise you that this will be a very affordable and family friendly event. Mike and I are eating the cost of the fundraiser so every penny you spend that day will be donated directly to FSMAC. You'll get food, fun, fellowship and a chance to win great prizes. That sounds good right! Now I'm asking you to push past your comfort zone.

As I have stated Mike and I do not have $5000 just lying around. Truthfully, we could probably come up with the money but I am hoping that you will want to help us. I am asking you to think outside the box and be creative. Would you consider donating you coffee money to the cause? What about some of your lunch money? Would you consider selling some of your children's clothing or toys and donate the money to help save a child from the same fate as our Georgie? What about asking some of your coworkers for a toonie towards a cure?

Now many of you are uncomfortable. I don't blame you. Asking people for money is hard. Giving away money without getting a tax receipt is hard for some people too. To all of you I say this...How uncomfortable do you think it feels to hear a doctor pronounce a death sentence on your child? How uncomfortable do you think it is to watch as their muscles slowly weaken to the point that they are paralyzed and need help breathing? How uncomfortable do you think it is to hold your baby in your arms as they take their last breath? How uncomfortable do you think it is to watch a pretty little pink casket get lowered into the earth?

Now, how uncomfortable do think it is to look into your dying daughter's eyes and know that $500 000 is all that stands between life and death. What would you do? If you're still at a loss then look into Georgie's eyes. I have no doubt that she will inspire you.

I am asking you to join us. I don't want you giving money that you can't afford or are giving in annoyance. I want you to become part of something bigger, to do something more.

I am still working on the details with Victoria Strong. More information to follow. Please just think about it.

Love to you all,

Kristen

PS The mountains are beautiful!

4 comments:

  1. Hey Kristen,
    We just completed the flyer for our block party and we asked each family to contribute $25 towards food and drink and all net proceeds will be donated to Georgia's Journey of Hope. We also discussed having a 50/50 draw to help raise more funds. Obviously, you and Mike can decide use the money wherever it best suits. We hope you don't mind that we went ahead without consulting you first but after reading this last post, I think you would approve!
    Hope you're having a great time in Calgary
    ginette

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  2. GREAT post, Kristen! We're doing it too. It's so nice to see so many families banding together to get this done. No doubt Georgia will inspire many to help you achieve this goal.

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  3. Hi Kristen,

    My name is Melanie and my husbands name is Jason. We live near the Toronto area. I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter Georgia. Our daughter Emersyn Paige Klomp also passed away from SMA Type 1 at the age of 7 months on April 7th 2009. She is our first child.

    I just wanted to let you know that I think your blog is an inspiration and a very special tribute to your precious Georgia. We will be starting the Emersyn Paige Foundation for SMA over the next year. We are not quite ready to do it just yet as we are still very early in our grief and feel so overwhelmed. Her foundation will go towards helping newly diagnosed families through SMA care packages. We will also continue to dontate to FSMAC for SMA research. We will make sure to spread the word about the fund raising efforts for the California Project. We would like to help out any way we can. Until we have our foundation off the ground we have a facebook account dedicated to Emersyn called "Emersyn's Paige". Anyone can join and read our posts and take a look at our family pictures :)

    You can also send us an email at: melaniedowds@sympatico.ca

    Wishing you moments of peace and connection with your beautiful daughter,
    Melanie xoxo

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  4. Hi Kristin. This is Kellie. I have been anonymously following your blog. My daughter is Madison, and she was in the tutus for two’s program with your daughter Calla. I would love to help with your fundraising event in any way that I can. Not only would my husband and I want to donate a monetary donation, but I would love to obtain a copy of the “ask letter” for prizes. I have been the co organizer for various charitable events, and am somewhat familiar with how it all works, and would love to help in any way i can. Could you please email me the details, and I will inform everyone in my world about the event, ( when, where, what to expect, etc) My husband and I would also love to come down to the volunteer meeting on Sept 3. Do you need me to bring anything? I should have replied earlier, but we have had a crazy my summer - so my apologies. Thanks Kristin.
    my email is kellie@63albertstreet.ca

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