Searching for Tao

Every year in November, a group gets together to raise money for the fight against prostate cancer -- and they do this by getting everyone to grow ridiculous moustaches. The more embarassing the "mo", the more money usually raised... or so that's the theory.

My "mospace" page is here, complete with pictures of the progress to date. I'll be shaving it off as of December 1st, so if you're curious as to the "progress" so far, you'll have to look there ;-)

My friend Audrey in Toronto is going through a bit of a crisis. Gizelle, her 8 month old cat needs a very expensive operation to save her life and Audrey can't afford it all on her own. She's created a Facebook group to garner support and started up a donations page in the hopes that someone will help her out. I've donated a little, and now I'm posting this here in the hopes that you will too. I know I'd be a mess if my kitty needed an operation and I couldn't afford it.

Here's her letter in full:

After consultation with a few vets, it is confirmed that Gizelle has a level 5 out of 6 heart murmur. At such a young age and with such a severe condition, she will need an ultrasound and examination done to determine which drugs to use during her operation because most drugs are designed to slow the heart rate, but if the incorrect drug is used, it could stop her heart altogether and kill her. Yes, I was heart broken at the news and cried...

The 'estimate' for her ultrasound, operation, and IV is going to cost $864.15. It's the same person that does ultrasounds and examinations for many vet clinics in Toronto so it's going to cost about the same thing everywhere apparently.

In the next little while, I'm going to be selling some of my possessions, hopefully run a few bake sales if I can get permission to use an appropriate space, and pool together donations. Please feel free to contact me if you're interested in helping in any way.

Thank you very much for your support... without you guys, we wouldn't have the strength and courage to get through this.

Sincerely,
Gizelle + Audrey

Donations page:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=8457424

All this month, I've been growing out my facial hair (I'm beginning to look like a Mountain Man and it's damned itchy). "Why would you do this?" you might ask. Well, a short time ago the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada decided to do a Movember fund raising effort for men's health, specifically targeting prostate cancer. The idea being, I grow hair like crazy and you all give them money to support my pain ;-)

To donate to my Mo you can either:

1. Donate online using your credit card or PayPal account
2. Or write a cheque payable to the ‘Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada', referencing my Registration Number 2194621 and mailing it to:

     Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada
     Attn: Movember
     145 Front Street East
     Suite 306
     Toronto Ontario M5A 1E3
   

Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

The money raised by Movember is donated directly to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada who will use the funds to create awareness and fund research across the country into prevention, detection and treatment, with a goal to ending the threat of prostate cancer.

Did you know:

• Every year around 24,700 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 4,300 die of the disease, making it the number one cancer threat to Canadian men.
• 1 in 7 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime.
• All men over the age of 40 are potentially at risk and should talk to their doctor about the disease and early detection. Prostate cancer is 95% curable if detected and treated early.
• The results of last year's fund raising are available online.

Thanks for your support.

More information is available at movember.com.

Update: Proof!

Angela requested photographic evidence, so here it is... in all its hairy glory... ew.

For those of you interested in the success/failure surrounding the One Laptop Per Child programme, I thought that I'd pass on the following links from a linux feed I follow:

• OLPC in Ethiopia Week One
• Flickr Photo Stream
• OLPC in Ethiopia Week Two

As one of her last deeds in Toronto before her exodus, Melanie will be participating in a walk to raise money for the fight ovarian cancer. If you'd like to help her out with the pledging, please visit her pledge page and donate whatever you can. Yes, donations are tax-deductable ;-)

Here's a copy of the official email:

You have been invited to pledge Melanie Cassidy in the Winners Walk of Hope. Join thousands of people across Canada supporting the Winners Walk of Hope, a remarkable event designed to create a sense of community for women living with ovarian cancer and their family and friends. All funds raised through this event support Ovarian Cancer Canada's mission to: support women and their families touched by ovarian cancer, educate well women and healthcare professionals and to fund ovarian cancer research. It's a day filled with hope and support, creating a greater awareness around ovarian cancer. To date, the Winners Walk of Hope has raised over $3million. For more information on Ovarian Cancer Canada's many programs, please visit www.ovariancanada.org.

Secure online donations can be made with your credit card and an official charitable tax receipt will be sent to you by email within five minutes! You can make an online donation now:

http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=1888690

For more information about the Winners Walk of Hope, or to join us on Sunday September 7, 2008 at 9am, please visit www.winnerswalkofhope.ca

Thank you for your generous support!

My brother is participating in the BCSPCA's Paws for a Cause Walk. It's the annual fundraiser for the SPCA, which does some good work with wildlife and other animals in BC.

He's aiming for $200, and he's got $90 so far so he's not doing to poorly, but if you've got the extra money and you want to support some Good people, this would be a nice place to start. Here's the contents of his email:

Hey Guys

As you probably know I love dogs more than people so I'm trying to raise money to save a few pups at the annual Paws for a cause walk.

Anything will help. I'm trying to reach a goal of $200.00

Thanks for your consideration everyone...

You have been invited to pledge Matt Quinn in the 2008 "Paws for a Cause...Walk for the Animals" - the largest campaign in support of animals in BC!

Online pledging is secure and easy. Secure online donations can be made with your credit card, and you'll receive an instant electronic tax receipt by e-mail.

To sponsor Matt Quinn click here.

Thank you in advance for your support from all the feet, hooves and paws behind our cause!

At the BC SPCA, we assist, care for and speak for companion, farm and wild animals province-wide. Last year, we rescued 41,884 animals; found new families for 20,067 homeless animals; reunited 5,911 lost animals with their families; and conducted 4,647 cruelty investigations. We are a part of local communities and classrooms through our humane education programs, and a voice for all animals through our advocacy efforts.

Together, we can make a difference!

If you have any questions about the campaign or how to use the online system, please e-mail us at paws_online@spca.bc.ca or visit http://www.spca.bc.ca/walk.

I heard on the CBC this morning that the mother of the guy who was tazered and killed by the police at Vancouver International Airport can't afford to take the cops to court over the death of her son. The BC government has refused to pay her legal fees and so we're all vividly reminded that justice is for the rich alone.

We can help though. A trust has been setup in her name to help her afford the legal fees required. If you're interested, here are the details:

Send a cheque to:

205-174 St. Paul's Street
Kamploops, BC
V2C 2H9

Or for more information you can email walterk@te-law.com.