When we experienced our house fire earlier this year, we were completely overwhelmed by the amount of support we received from the online community. Specifically the hippie/crafty mama community,and the Art glass community. Both my husband and i have been involved with these online communities for many years, and have come to think of them as family. The outpouring of love and support we received has forever changed us and made us realize the importance of giving back.
We knew that once we were back on our feet, we would begin to pay it forward any chance that we could.
On Saturday, June 15th, 14 year old Orion Strong was diagnosed with AML , a rare type of leukemia, with long treatments and many expenses. Orion is the son of Kharma Strong, one of my online friends and a member of the online crafting community.
According to the fundraiser page, Orion has been an amazing light in his community and always the first to raise a helping hand when needed. He is always the first to volunteer and has helped in supporting many events and activities including the Steelhead Association dinner, Ballet Folkloriko, Guereneville Gator basketball and volleyball games and wherever there is need. Orion received the Lincoln Stewart award for this recognition by the Russian River Firefighters for this honor during his recent 8th grade graduation from Guerenville School a couple of weeks ago. Despite the surprising developments, Orion is feeling very grateful that he will again be able to help people through his disease, by allowing the doctors to use his results to help others in the future. He has consented to participate in many of the new studies and research being done on leukemia advancement.
The family has put together an online fundraiser to help. 100% of this fundraiser is going into an account directly for ORION. The support from all of you is a constant reminder to him of the support team he has behind him. Orion is getting his second of four rounds of chemo, called induction 2. In the best case scenario we will be at the hospital, mostly in-patient (due to him being neutropenic and unable to fight off infection) for the next six-eight months. He is receiving frequent blood transfusions and is isolated to his room.
If you would like to donate directly to Orion's Leukemia fund you can make your donations here.
If you would like to send cards, gifts and words of support you can mail them to this address.
UCSF- 7 LONG
505 Parnassus Ave., box 0208
Patient Orion Strong, Rm. 759San Francisco, CA 94131
In an effort to help raise funds for Orion and his family, Kenan is auctioning of this gorgeous glass pendant. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Orion leukemia Fund. The auction is being held on the Tiemeyer Glass FB page, and ends on Sunday 8/18. This link should take you directly to the auction, but it is pinned to the top of the page if it doesn't. We will be hosting another glass auction to benefit Orion in the next few weeks, and i'm planning to auction another bendy doll as well.
Orion's birthday is next month, he will be turning 15, and i think it would be wonderful if he received b-day cards and well wishes from all over! A simple act of kindness that could make a difference to a young boy fighting a difficult battle.
Please take a moment to visit the YouCaring page and read his story. You can donate directly to the fund, and/or leave words of support and encouragement in the comments.
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