Acts of Kindess #40-43: Valentine Cards, Derby Ducks & Lupus Walk

Act of Kindness #40 - I had completely forgot about doing this one and I have my friend Aimee to thank for it. She had tagged me in a link on Facebook in early February. It wound up being for Children's Healthcare in Texas and you could sign up to create a Valentine's Day card for kids in the hospital. I hated the thought of any child being in the hospital, for any holiday, so I thought this was a great idea to let them know they are being thought of. I emailed the link out to my company and a few of them replied back to let me know that they had their kids also send some cards. They actually have a Link that you can go to at any time and send a card just because...go check it out!!

Act of Kindness #41 - I usually get emails all the time from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). Some have articles about their child of the month, some bring awareness to a particular disease and others have information about different fund raisers they have. I scrolled through one I received the other day and they had a "Wish List" of items that they needed, most on a daily basis. I went through to see what kind of things were on there and decided to donate to purchase Meal Bag Items. Basically it's meal bags that are given to parents who are not able to travel or leave the hospital to purchase food. Jeff and I know all to well how this is, since there were plenty of days/nights we couldn't just leave and grab something to eat when Taylor was in the hospital for weeks at a time. Thankfully CHOA had kitchens set up with pots/pans, utensils and a stove, so there were plenty of times I packed up food to cook there. That was about the only way we could get Taylor to eat. Her requests were usually my spaghetti, fried venison and my green beans haha. We were fortunate to live as close to the hospital as we did. There are plenty of parents that live hours and states away. I hope the meal bags help those families out!

Act of Kindness #42 - If you've been keeping up with some of my other posts, you know I am all about helping out when it comes to the Special Olympics. I've repelled down a 20-story building, donated to my friends fundraisers when her son was participating in walks, etc., or bought t-shirts to help raise funds. I received an email the other day to Adopt a Duck for Atlanta's 9th Annual Duck Derby. Basically you purchase these rubber ducks that they send around the Little Hooch at White Water and if your duck is one of the first 6 across the finish line, you get whatever type of prize they have lined up. I purchased my Quack Pack, which hatched me 7 adopted ducks and they mailed me a souvenir junior duck. Isn't he cute?!

Act of Kindness #43 - One of my co-workers lost his wife almost 8 years ago to complication from Lupus. Since that time, he and his family have been participating in the Annual Walk for Lupus in Atlanta. Jeff and I have joined them on the walk and it is truly an amazing experience. There are THOUSANDS of people that show up for the event, it is wonderful! We received an email from Adam the other day with the information about the walk for this year (see below). Jeff and I donated to his team and will hopefully join them on the walk again this year. Feel free to visit his team page to get more information or to make a donation, there is no amount too small!!! And a HUGE high five to my company, ARCO Design/Build, for their generous donation again this year!

"Friends & Family, 

It is that time of year again....spring is in the air, and that means one thing - The 8th Annual Walk for Lupus Now in Piedmont Park on April 26th at 3:00pm!

As most of you know, my first wife, Rachel, passed away from complications from Lupus. Yvonne’s Aunt Jackie sadly passed away 3 weeks before the 2011 Walk from complications from Lupus.  Lupus has struck again by affecting Rachel’s step-mother, Cathy.  We are honoring all of these strong women and their past and current struggles.

Following are summaries of each of these women’s struggles:

Rachel had chronic medical issues starting in her teens and was ultimately diagnosed with Lupus at age 27. She was a loving, vibrant young wife and the mother of 17-month-old Lilly, when at a moment’s notice she became terribly ill. After a 12-hour roller coaster day at the hospital, she tragically passed away at the age of 32 on May 12, 2006.

Yvonne's 45 year old aunt Jackie battled Lupus for several years. She struggled with seizures and other complications with little to no responsiveness to medications. She tragically passed away on April 19, 2010 and is survived by her husband, son and six brothers and sisters. 

Cathy was diagnosed in 2010.  She has been struggling with the ups and downs that come with a Lupus diagnosis to get her symptoms under control.  Her strength is inspiring.

Since we can't bring Rachel or Jackie back and as we try and support Cathy as much as possible, we are hoping we can bring awareness to the public about this devastating disease. Hopefully this will honor Rachel & Jackie’s memory, honor Cathy’s struggle and hopefully keep this story from repeating itself. 

Thanks to Mark and Rick, ARCO has agreed to be a sponsor for a STUNNING 8th time for this event and support Team ARCO – Building for a Cure.  Just so you know, ARCO is a TOP SPONSOR again this year with a super-generous donation of $5,000!!

My goal this year is to have at least 20 people walk with Team ARCO – Building for a Cure.  If you plan on attending, please let me know so I can get an accurate head count and keep you updated. 

In addition, if you are interested in donating (not required by any means), please visit the team website at http://www.lupuswalkatlanta.com/teamarco

 Thanks again for ARCO’s support and for everyone who has participated and/or donated over the years! 

Please join Team ARCO – Building for a Cure!! 

THANKS! 

Adam & Yvonne Goldberg"