Fundraising update...

Well, there we were, January 2011, with our first $300 in funds raised for Lila's stem cell treatment.  The possibility for treatment looked so unreachable.  We felt as though we may be defeated, and that Lila may not be able to get the treatment that she needs to help her to move forward.  Little did we know that we have the largest support group that any one family could possibly have.  We couldn't have even imagined it!!!

Lila making a canvas creation!

Three weeks ago we hit $10,000, and since then have raised the number to $12,500!  What a surprise :-)  Here we are now, 2 1/2 months into fund-raising, and have been continually blown away by people's generosity, deep pockets, and willingness to help in any way possible.   Not only our circle of family and friends, but our community as a whole.

I want to share a story with you all of the amazing generosity, and reaching out, from our community.....
A designer friend of mine has a commercial rental property that she rents to an esthetician.  She was chatting with her renter/friend and mentioned that I was selling purses to raise money for Lila.  Christa, the esthetician, immediately said that she would like to display them in her "studio".  We had since gotten in touch, and scheduled to meet yesterday at her studio.  http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-skincare-girl-sparks

I walk in the front door, and there was another woman there chatting with Christa, so I apologize for interrupting, only to find out that she was there to meet ME.  What?  Well, Christa had then shared the story with Amber, the other woman...Amber read the blog and wanted to help, too.  So the three of us sit down to chat, and in two minutes of meeting these two absolutely amazing women, I am crying like a baby.  Amber begins to tell me that she is  Mary Kay consultant and has been trying to find a way to begin having "parties with a purpose".  She has now found her purpose....crying....she is going to donate a percentage of all of her parties to Lila from April 1st to July 1st, and if it goes well she will continue through the end of 2011.  Ok, I felt so blessed to even hear that news, but that was not all.  Amber and Christa would like to have a vendor fair at Christa's studio and all proceeds will go to Lila!  Uugghhh, I was then sobbing, and yes this was the first time I had met these two women.

Then Christa pipes up and says that she makes hand-made body scrubs and would like to make one called the "Lila Scrub" and give 100% of the sales to Lila.  What fun!  I can't wait to get a scrub, nor can I wait to have a treatment from Christa in the very near future :-)  She has offered a "pamper hour" to me so that I can relax and get away from the hustle bustle.  Could you ask for anything more?  What an amazing hour that was.  Goes to show how a community can come together to support one deserving little girl, and help her to have a better chance at a more "normal" and fulfilling life.

Back to the beginning of the story...I had just been thrilled that Christa was wanting to display the purses in her studio...that was all :-)  What a pleasant surprise to feel so loved and welcomed in our community!  Thank you Christa and Amber!