Fundraiser number one, is done!

                                      

Well, I have survived my very first fundraiser.  I have to say that I had a great time at the fundraiser and it wast hear warning to see so many of my friends and co-workers come out in support of my baby girl and Rett Syndrome.  I think that everything looked great and that we had some pretty great silent auction items and raffle items.  Our friends were fantastic and all took jobs at the fundraiser to help out.

 


We had a pretty great turnout.  I raised enough money to pay the lawyers to write up Emma's special needs trust so that my family and I will have a place that we can leave her money for her care should something happen to us.  I also made enough money to donate to research which make me feel good, like I am doing something that will help her and all the other beautiful girls just like her.

         

Emma's Biggest Fans

 

I am looking forward to doing this again and I hope that I can raise even more for research.  We are so close to finding if not a cure as least something that will improve the quality of our girls lives.

I learned a lot this year, like make the minimum bid sign bigger .... not sure how people missed that in 16 font....

Most of all I learned how many people care about my little girl and are willing to come out on a rainy Chicago night to support her.  I was so touched by everyone that came, it meant so much to me!

Fundraisers

So.... I'm hosting my very first fundraiser. I don't even know what to say after that....

I am losing my fracking mind trying to do this!! Who knew it would be so stressful! It's not like a birthday party where you have it at your house and pretty much know who's gonna show up. Nope, I am paying for a space and food hoping to God that at least our birthday party regulars come. I am not sure I am gonna break even let alone make enough to pay for the lawyers we need to set up her accounts, pay for therapy after early intervention ends or buy her equipment that she needs! 

I was also informed that you generally have raffles and whatnot at these shindigs. How do you know what the heck people will want? How do you get the stuff to raffle off? My fabulous sister-in-law donated a pair of Notre Dame vs. NAVY tickets, will people like those? Will they like any of the other stuff? Who knows! STRESS! That's the word of the day! Luckily my husband is uber helpful. He keeps telling me that I should have an open bar because no one will come if we don't have an open bar! Thanks for your help! I love ya, but please, stop talking babe!!  So, needless to say, I'm worried. I don't want this to be a flop. I'd love it to be something that grows and one day can not only help my daughter and provide some money to research but significantly help several girls and their families as well as research. I know there are other girls out there that may not have much of why they need. I'd love to be able to change that. However, right now I am hoping that I won't be doing dishes at this place for the rest of my life to pay off the bill!! 

I'd really love to be able to get enough donations to make a nice contribution to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. I plan to donate something, even if it is a small amount, but I'd like to give a nice donation. I am so excited about the research that they are funding. A paper was published recently that once again proved that the symptoms of Rett can be reversed in our girls!! Using gene therapy they were able to increase MECP2 production by 15% and reverse or significantly reduce the symptoms in fully symptomatic female mice. How exciting is that!! I am so hopeful and pray to God that the cure comes soon.