On April 19th, 2008 Kelly Turner is hosting a day of scrapping in downtown Acworth, Georgia. This event is to help her team, Mommy Power, raise funds for the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation. This is a special day of crafts for a special cause. We have invited Kelly to tell her story about what has motivated her to host the event. Part of our vision at DIY City Mag is to give a voice to those who find creative ways to give - and we call it - DIY Giving, the idea that giving can also benefit from a do-it-yourself spirit. Kelly has an incredible story that she has graciously shared with us.
My name is Kelly Turner and I am experiencing something that no daughter should have to endure. My mother, Ann Faulkenberry, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last May and given two years to live.
My mom’s story
Last May, my father called to tell me my mother had been admitted to the ER for a supposed sinus infection. The CAT scan instead showed a mass in the right rear of her skull. Suddenly, a craniotomy to remove the tumor was the minimum, cancer the maximum. Unfortunately, the discovery was GBM (glioblastoma) and the prognosis is typically fatal within two years. Since then she’s had surgery, scans and tests. She has had very strong radiation and chemotherapy to help slow the recurrence of these nasty cells. However, all this failed. She is now in a program at Duke University where she travels five hours every other Friday for an IV treatment of Avastin and a very nasty chemotherapy drug. This treatment has had severe side effects including loss of hair, losing ¼ of her vision, balance issues, and many memory and cognitive difficulties. She has lost mobility and stability and most importantly, her independence.
A daughter’s desire
Feeling helpless, I surfed the internet last spring and discovered the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation’s site and their fundraising project, the Race for Research. Finally there was something tangible I could do to help save my mother. Research is the only hope she has and money makes research happen. I immediately signed up as an individual team and pledged my $100 to get started. My goal was $500 and to walk that day in July in my mother’s name to say that I was not going to let this disease beat us down.
Due to over whelming response through emails, friends and family, my individual effort transformed into a team called Mommy Power. We were able to keep the team a secret from my parents (they live in South Carolina, about a five hour drive from me in Atlanta) and then surprise them with the team’s results on Race day. To say my mother was touched is inadequate. She was overwhelmed by the number of supporters and the amount we raised.
2007 Results
The purpose of the SBTF Race for Research is to raise much-needed funds for brain tumor research and for support for patients and their families who have been affected by brain tumors. In 2007, SBTF awarded a total of $270,000 for four innovative brain tumor research projects at leading institutions in the Southeast. I am proud to say my team contributed just over $16,000 towards these grants last year.
The plan this year
On April 19th, 2008 I am hosting a day of scrapping in downtown Acworth. This event is to help my team, Mommy Power, raise funds for the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation. I have organized representatives from TLC, Close to my Heart, Creative Memories, Classy Coordinates, Heritage Makers, and Stampin’ Up to be onsite and provide guidance, suggestions and perform demonstrations. We have gotten almost 40 door prizes and are raffling off a weekend at Camp Crop Alot. With up to 50 participants, we hope to raise $1000 for the Race for Research. The participants will pay a registration fee that covers the event, all food and beverages, as well as receive a goody bag. This fee will cover the expenses and the remainder will be donated. This event will kick start the efforts of team Mommy Power for the 2008 Race for Research.
Your role to save my mother
I’d love to have your support to help me achieve this year’s goal of raising $20,000. I want to make our team the number one fundraiser for this year’s event to show the world what love and motherhood can do. You can make that happen for us. She is a fighter, but this is something that she cannot beat. I plan to show her just how much support and love she continues to have in her life. A life well lived can certainly be repaid.
Action Step
To become a sponsor of team Mommy Power, please visit the website for the Foundation, www.sbtf.org and click on the “Race for Research” link. Once on that site, you choose “donate” and then choose Mommy Power as the team to which your donation should be credited. As an alternative, you can use this form and mail in a check to the address noted on the form.
“Mommy Power: We are doing this for your own good!”
Contact scrap4sbtf [at] comcast.net for more information, to donate, to participate, or to register! For more information about the illness.
