Imagine... - DPChallenge Forums

05/19/2005 10:57:16 PM · #1

Imagine waking up at 3:30 in the morning, then driving an hour and a half so you can spend the rest of the day walking 20 miles.

Imagine then spending the night sleeping in a bunk at an overnight camp, so you can wake up at 5:00 the next morning and walk another 20 miles the next day on already sore (and probably blistered) feet.

Imagine following that with another night at the overnight camp, another 5:00 wake-up, and another 10 miles (these on downtown city streets) the next day.

Now, imagine waking up tomorrow morning, and suddenly being unable to walk at all.

For the estimated 400,000 Americans with Multiple Sclerosis, each day brings uncertainty. Symptoms such as tingling, numbness, painful sensations, slurred speech, blurred or double vision, muscle weakness, poor balance, poor coordination, muscle tightness or spasticity, tremors, and paralysis can come and go without warning. Most are diagnosed in the prime of their life (between ages 20 and 50), but it is estimated that over 25,000 children under 18 have symptoms consistent with MS. About 200 times a week -- more than once an hour -- someone finds out for the first time that they have MS. Currently the cause of the disease is not known. There is no single test that can identify or rule out MS, and diagnosis can take months or even years. As yet, there is no cure.

On October 7-9, 2005, I will be walking 50 miles to help find a cure for MS. In conjunction with this, I have set a goal to raise $2,500 in donations. Here's how you can help:

First, consider walking in one of the 10 MS Challenge Walks nationwide. I promise this will be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of your life. The emotion and sense of accomplishment cannot even be described. It has to be experienced for yourself. If you are considering participating in one of these walks (and especially the Philadelphia walk), please contact me. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Secondly, please make a donation to support this very worthwhile cause. I'm offering free prints to anyone who donates $50 or more ($1/mile), but donations of any amount are appreciated -- donations of even $5 or $10 add up quickly, and together go a long way to help improve the quality of life for those living with MS, and ultimately to finding a cure.

If you wish to donate, but prefer not to do so online, please contact me for my mailing address.

Thanks in advance for your support,

-Terry

Message edited by author 2005-05-19 23:01:50.

Sonifo

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/19/2005 11:36:00 PM · #2

That is so awesome that you are dedicated to this cause. Way to go and the best of luck to you, Terry. I have a friend that was just recently diagnosed with MS. She has her good days and bad days. Very sad!

05/19/2005 11:44:30 PM · #3

Terry,
I think that my company matches any contribution to any valid/registered humanitarian/charity/etc. organization. I'll ask tomorrow morning what do I need to do in order to double the money I plan on giving (they match 100% up to some amount that is way bigger than what I plan on contributing.)

If you know of anything that could help me in filling out these forms (i.e. if you were asked this question before) please let me know the details. Otherwise, you'll hear from me tomorrow.

Also, this recommendation goes out to anyone willing to contribute. If you planned on doing so, please ask around if someone will match your contribution. It's worth the effort...

05/19/2005 11:48:10 PM · #4

Originally posted by srdanz:

Serge,

That's a great idea -- thanks for thinking of it!

I haven't been asked this question before, so I'm not sure what information you might need. I'll be more than happy to do any research necessary to get this information for you.

Let me know once you have the form -- I'll be happy to answer any questions you have or to give you a number to fax me a copy if you prefer.

Thanks again!

-Terry

05/20/2005 12:20:07 AM · #5

It says, "The only requirement is that the organization be a 501(c)(3) organization. "

This is an IRS designation. I'll try looking into it on the web site your link points to.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/20/2005 12:22:33 AM · #6

Furthermore, on the
https://www.nationalmssociety.org//PAE/donation/default.asp
it says:"The National MS Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law."

Cool. I'll let you know tomorrow how it went with my HR...
edit: fixed the link

Message edited by author 2005-05-20 00:23:25.

KaDi

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

05/20/2005 12:32:40 AM · #7

Originally posted by srdanz:

It says, "The only requirement is that the organization be a 501(c)(3) organization. "

This is an IRS designation. I'll try looking into it on the web site your link points to.

501(c)(3) is a federal (tax) designation for certain types of nonprofit organizations. To learn (a lot) about nonprofits, I recommend //www.guidestar.org They are well respected and have a free login....with which you can obtain IRS Form 990 (their tax return). There's plenty of other helpful information there, as well. (If you're looking at the 990 the most interesting documents are often toward the end as attachments.)

I applaud what ClubJuggle is doing (and am considering a contribution). But it means much to be an informed donor....so I'm offering a place to start.

When I was 14 I collected pledges for the March of Dime's 40 mile bicycle ride--only to find them blasted (and rightly so) in the news for only returning 10% of their collections to the cause--the rest (90%) was "administrative" costs. Fat CEO's and slim $ to their mission.

Message edited by author 2005-05-20 00:33:30.

05/20/2005 12:32:40 AM · #8

I promise, the last post from me tonight:
How to get a match from a corporation

05/20/2005 06:16:49 AM · #9

In case anyone is curious, I've posted my photos from the 2004 MS Challenge Walk.

Many of these are snapshots and are intended to be such; I've posted them as a way to share the event itself with you.

-Terry

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/20/2005 07:08:10 PM · #10

*shameless bump*

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

05/20/2005 07:31:50 PM · #11

Donated $50. Good luck Terry.

BAMartin

Apple iPhone 5

05/20/2005 08:50:47 PM · #12

I have pledged all proceeds from the sale of my prints to Terrys walk for MS. Whether you pledge directly, or purchase a print, this is a wonderful cause and helps people like me every day. Thank you so much!

Barbara

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

05/21/2005 07:08:45 AM · #13

Just a quick bump for the weekend crowd.

Barbara's post underscores an important point -- your donation really does touch a lot of people in a lot of ways. P erson with MS is more then just that -- they are someone's spouse, parent, child, coworker, or best friend -- maybe yours, and you might not even know it.

-Terry

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

05/21/2005 07:14:33 AM · #14

My mom has MS.
:-(

BAMartin

Apple iPhone 5

05/21/2005 10:58:57 AM · #15

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

My mom has MS.
:-(

I believe that most people know at least one person who has MS. In fact, you all know me :-)

I have volunteered to be part of a drug study for a promising new MS drug. As part of this study, I am given a very expensive MRI every month. The cost of these MRIs and other associated costs involved with this research are picked up through the organization Terry is walking to support. Each and every donation helps me directly, and every other person waiting for a cure to MS directly as well.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

05/21/2005 07:03:12 PM · #16

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

My mom has MS.
:-(

Sorry to hear that, and I hope she is doing well. I also help this walk helps her in some way.

-Terry

Apple iPhone

05/22/2005 10:27:02 AM · #17

I donated... come one DPCers... lets help Terry help many peopel with MS

05/22/2005 03:01:31 PM · #18

Originally posted by di53:

I donated... come one DPCers... lets help Terry help many peopel with MS

Thanks, Di!