Posts tagged Just give
The #1 Gift For Mother’s Day
May 12th
“Sometimes the strength of Motherhood is greater than natural laws” - Barbara Kingsoliver
There are lists and lists of things to get “Mom” for Mother’s Day but this story is truly the #1 greatest gift any Mom could ask for – her life. This is the story of a Mother’s life that was saved by love, hard work, hope and one big miracle. A few months ago I shared a story of a Mother in desperate need of help from the world. (One Match to Save a Mother’s Life) Myy dear friend Erica needed a bone marrow transplant to save her life. She had been diagnosed with a deadly case of leukaemia and was told she only had only months to live unless a bone marrow donor could be found.
This is her story. A story of being a Mom with two beautiful boys, a remarkable husband, a story of community, a story of hope and a story of the greatest gift a Mom could ever want.
The gift of life.
Guest Post by Erica Harris
When I was asked by Jacqueline (founder of 365give) to write a little synopsis of my journey in honour of this very special Mother’s Day, my mind instantly brought me back to my Mother’s Day celebration last year. The day started with a wonderful wake up, spoiled by drawings and wee surprises. And after a fun filled family brunch with the in laws, my oldest son, then 4, then took me on a “date” – we rode the bus in absolute glee and smiled away at an afternoon kids concert. Beautiful day, beautiful memories. Not once did I then consider what would arise in the weeks to come as even a distant possibility.
Last spring as I spent a fun morning at the aquarium with my boys, I picked up an urgent message regarding a relatively routine lab I had done hours earlier. Thinking there must be some confusion as my results couldn’t be in that quickly, I then learned I was to avoid all public places as my immune system was so comprised. My final diagnosis of acute leukemia came within a few short days. Hours following this, a bed was made available for me in the province’s Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant unit at Vancouver General Hospital.
I had no time to prepare myself, or my family for this huge upheaval. I embarked on my new path in shock and disbelief. For one so passionate about life, health and wellness this was just not within the realms of possibilities. My heart simply ached at the thought of being separated from my angels and not having any idea where to start explaining what had transpired and why mama would not be home.
I had no idea what was to lie ahead- the tubes, the machines, the surgeries, the days of isolation as a result of life threatening septic infections, the endless gut retching nausea, the frequent bone marrow biopsies, the exhausting night sweats, the ongoing blood transfusions, etc. What was assumed to be an original 3-4 week stay resulted in a full 2 month stay as the original chemotherapy proved unsuccessful. After I did not respond to what is referred to as “salvage” chemotherapy, I given a 2 month diagnosis, perhaps 6 months at best and offered no further treatment aside from palliative care. A second opinion in Seattle at one of the leading US leukaemia treatment centers confirmed the prognosis. So despite having had just received the amazing news that perfect 10/10 bone marrow donor was found on my behalf (after great efforts on behalf of One Match, the VGH team, my incredible husband and our amazing team of support who started their own missions to spread awareness), I learned the very next day it was an unattainable goal as I first had to be in remission to be eligible for transplant. After hearing this prognosis, I knew I just needed to be home with my family. I did just that- the team at VGH reluctantly discharged me the next morning. And with the strength of my 3 handsome loves by my side, I gained strength and “our fight” began.
On every step of this road, our family has been embraced by an amazing circle of love and support. Friends, family and and complete strangers sent messages of love and inspiration, devoted hours on our behalf to prayer, meditation, research on alternative approaches and leading health care providers in the field, cared for our babes, donated blood, prepared meals, shopped, and helped in any/every way possible. All of this paved the way to a very unexpected victory in ‘our fight”….and by the grace of God, the healing hands of my beautiful angel babes, the world’s best husband by my side, and our incredible team of support, my labs started to reflect some change and very slight optimism that at least the disease was not progressing at a rate that was originally anticipated. Another biopsy was scheduled and we learned I had attained remission.
Our head Doc said there was absolutely no explanation he could offer aside from saying it was a true miracle.
I was then eligible for transplant, which I had at the end of October. Although I am still on a rather bumpy road while adapting an entirely new immune system from an unrelated superstar donor, I am now moving full steam ahead and getting stronger every day. I am not yet off this big detour but I get to be here to be the first to greet my angels when they wake and the last to kiss them goodnight.
I am over the moon to be able to conquer most of my mama routines on most days.
As I picked up my oldest from kindergarten the other day, I stood from a far as I approached the field. He was running about laughing away with his friends, so enthralled in their game and so incredibly happy. I had tears of joy just being able to see this moment. As I stood there thinking how difficult it may soon be to tug him away from this fun for our trek home, he saw me from across the playground. Instantly, he sprinted towards me shouting to all with such excitement “there is MY Mom!” with his arms outstretched to dive into mine. My now 3 year old sets out on his daily missions to find mama treasured rocks, pine cones, or the prettiest weed of the day and shares them with me in the sweetest, highest pitched voice as he tells says he loves me soooo much. These slower days have welcomed so many quiet simple moments on the home front and these moments are true bliss. I thank God every day for my incredible blessings. My heart shines in ways I never imagined possible simply to hold their hands in mine.
This road has obviously been an unexpected lofty toll- from my husband not working for months on end to be my side, to additional child care costs, to the cost of uncovered medications and the countless supplements, to ensuring every nutrient consumed is of the highest quality, and the many expenses of fees incurred from professionals we sought along the way for many consults/treatments.
Jacqueline’s mission with 365give and her amazing compassion for those experiencing difficult times exemplifies such heartfelt surprises and blessings that have helped ease our path by so many ways. Further, Jacqueline spread the word about One Match registration instantly upon hearing the urgent need. The love, generosity, time and kindness that have been extended to us along the way will remain in our hearts on this very special upcoming mother’s day, and every day.
Happy, happy Mother’s Day to all!
The Secret to Raising a Billion Dollars
Apr 4th
Image by Visual Paradox
How do you raise a billion dollars for people and organizations
in need around the world?
A great question for so many people that are raising funds every day to give back to the world. What if you had a secret recipe that would change the world and raise billions of dollars along the way? It’s been done and they all started with the same ingredient.
- Bill Gates has done it.
- Bill Clinton has done it.
- Bono has done it.
- The United Way has done it.
- The Salvation Army has done it.
The secret is simple – it all starts with $1.00 and the inspiration to change the world.
I recently met Mike Zserdin founder and writer of the Generosity Manifesto and the Change Crew via Twitter. At 365give we like to share stories of people that are doing their part to create change in the world. Mike has a goal to raise a few billion dollars. Mike started his giving journey by writing the Generosity Manifesto to encourage and inspire people to give more in their lives.
“I have started by working with friends to give away a few billion dollars. I think money helps advance world change. My hope is that the manifesto empowers and encourages people to believe that (most of us) have a little extra to give and those little, extra gifts make a difference. I grew up. I hit my 40s and realized my life is half over. I watched a close friend die and others grow old. Each of them encouraged me to live for something bigger than myself. I then came across a TED Theme, What The World Needs Now and read Seth Godin’s compilation of essays, What Matters Now. And, and then saw a headline by Chris Brogan, We Could Do So Much More…I began asking myself these very questions. I realized I couldn’t do everything but, I knew I could do a little more. As a result, my family and I started giving a little more. We realized that we have enough to give a little more. Since then, we’ve begun feeding kids in Africa for $50 a year, then traveling there to see first hand what’s wrong and right in that part of the world. In one word, the catalyst was Perspective. When we see what a little gift does and began to realize how much we have it made it easy to give a little more.”
Mike is not making it complicated or an impossible dream – he is asking friends and family to be more generous in their lives. He is encouraging people to give what they can but give a little more. Mike is taking one step at a time starting with his Generosity Manifesto to help people realize the positive effects of giving. It’s a free online book that will take just a few minutes of your time to read. It will inspire you to give more and feel happier in your life. 365give shares a similar philosophy that is featured in the book. I call it the ripple effect and Mike calls it the Boomerang Effect.
The Boomerang Effect–You Get What You Give: An excerpt from the Generosity Manifesto 
There is truth in the seemingly absurd notion that we can pay it forward.
Jeff Goins observes, “The paradox of life is the more money you give, the more you get.” His article “ What You Get From Giving: The Paradox of Generosity” is a must read. Jeff claims that giving is good for you and me. He’s right.
Like Jeff, some of you have experienced the boomerang effect of generosity—the more good you throw out, the more comes back. Even science supports the boomerang effect. Generous people are happier, skinnier, and more productive. Jeff says, “There are legitimate health, business, and psychological one is this: it gives meaning to life.”
As it turns out, practicing generosity is a key to getting all we really want. Things such as genuine smiles, greater peace, community, lower blood pressure, a sense of accomplishment, and even the opportunity to change the world.
Giving also kicks depression in the teeth.
You get what you give. Give to change another’s story and you will be transformed.
Many of us are looking for that magic recipe to raise money for the charities we love and stand behind. Maybe this is the key – imagine a billion dollars and start raising it $1.00 at a time. Find your inspiration to change the world. Leave a comment and share your story with 365give – just maybe it will inspire one other person to give more today.
Top 10 Good Deeds for The Holiday Season
Dec 19th
‘Tis the season to give but not all of us have the means to make cash donations to our favourite charities. What if instead of giving cash you did one “good deed” every day between now and Christmas. My friend Alex of @Good_Indeed on Twitter has done just that – committed to one good deed every day for 365 days, tweeting his good deed each day.
He is on day 317 of 365 days of good deeds and 365give got his very personal Top 10 favourite ways to inspire you to “do good” every day.
Guest Post by Alex D @Good_Indeed
One day listening to yet another account of alarming news on the radio, I began to wonder what kind of effect this constant bombardment of negativity may have on all of us. How could we be positive when there is so much pessimism in the world?
How could we be hopeful when the picture painted in front us is so dark?
For some reason, at that very instant, I felt the need to give people more positive examples to counteract the negativity in our daily lives. That’s how my 1-year “A Deed A Day” challenge came to be. I have always been a strong believer in the big impact of small actions.
- The same way a dirty look or a disrespectful gesture can spoil our day and contribute to our bitterness;
- The same way a smile or a helping hand can make a world of a difference and help us get closer to one another.
I didn’t know how far I would go with this, but I must admit that giving is quite addictive.
The more you give, the more you seem to receive and so on…
Everyone should try it. Who knows, someday there may be more good deeds than bad ones on the evening news.
- Top 10 list of Good Deeds
- Day 3: Collected used batteries from my neighbours for proper recycling. Got to know them better and helped the environment. Double bonus!
- Day16: Now save energy by lowering the thermostat & unpluging evil phantom loads before I go out or go to sleep.
- Day38: Volunteered to teach in friend’s high school. Spoke about opportunities in the solar industry. Great group of kids!
- Day49: Sent nice greeting card to a stranger I randomly picked out of the phone book. #RandomActsOfKindess
- Day126: Performed at concert organized by the Harold Napper School to raise funds for Japanese disaster victims.
- Day155: Traded our Toyota for the pleasures of a nice BMW (Bus, Metro, Walk). It’s the beginning of a new, greener lifestyle.
- Day175: Prevented teenager from hurting his girlfriend. We can all help stop violence in teen couples…It starts with education.
- Day283: Bought coffee for the people behind me at the drive through. The look on their faces was priceless.
- Day287: Had long chat with a homeless man and bought him lunch. Poor guy lived from pay-check to pay-check. Lost it all when he lost his job.
- Day301: Raised $440 in 36 hours for children without a voice, as part of Free the Children’s Vow of Silence campaign.
What Are you Saying?