The official request

Okay, I finished my flyer. I've sent it out to every single person on my email list [which makes me nervous for some reason, don't ask me why]. I plan on printing a few hard copies and posting them at my hospital, and possibly handing them out to businesses, too. Next will come Facebook and Myspace. No such things as overkill, right? :)

Please email me if you would like a hard copy and I will give you one [jules5.27.07 at gmail]. I think that the more people who hear Keri's story and become aware of HOW they can help, the better results we'll get. I hope and pray donations will pay for her massive medical expenses.

Other bloggers---link to this post if you'd like. Or make your own. But let's all dig out our checkbooks and make a difference, shall we?

Here is what the flyer looks like:

Keri's story:

Sometimes life is so unfair. Keri is one of those people everyone loves to be around. Her charisma is undeniable and her positive attitude is contagious. Keri has always been a fighter, a leader, and a pillar of strength for those in her life.

She is a down-to-earth, true Mid-western girl who has called Kansas, Missouri, and Indiana home. As a Physical Therapist, she makes her living by caring for others, and now is the time for us to return the favor.

On March 14, 2008 Keri’s life changed forever. At the age of 26 she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. On April 2, 2008 she underwent a bilateral mastectomy and began her fight with a disease that knows no limits.

Her bright future is clouded with the cold hard facts: 8 rounds of chemotherapy, 6 weeks of daily radiation, multiple reconstructive surgeries, hormonal replacement therapy, and infertility treatments. When you attack cancer with chemotherapy and other estrogen suppressing drugs before you’ve had children, your dream of becoming a mother is jeopardized. Keri’s doctors have said her treatments will most definitely stop ovulation for the rest of her life, throwing her young body into menopause. So Keri will freeze her eggs to give her hope of having a baby—a procedure that comes with a $10,000 price tag but not covered by insurance.

Helen Keller once said, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.” If everyone who reads Keri’s story contributes to her fund the financial burden of cancer could be lifted from her shoulders. Any amount would be greatly appreciated and every dollar counts. Why not make a difference in someone’s life? And what better time than right now?

Please make your donation check to:

Keri Wilkie Breast Cancer Medical Fund
P.O. Box 833
Emporia, KS 66801

If you’d like to follow Keri’s online journal please go to:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/keri