As most of you know (I hope) I am organizing and running a Lyme retreat in Massachusetts in November, right before Thanksgiving. This retreat will be an opportunity for Lyme disease patients and their families (if they choose to come) to meet each other, rest, get and give support, and have some fun. The weekend has been made affordable by searching around for an inexpensive place to hold the retreat. However, I have just been made aware of the added expense of needing liability insurance for the weekend which will cost somewhere around $350.

Instead of raising the cost for each participant (many of whom are, like most Lyme patients, already struggling to pay medical expenses) I am asking for donations from people who will not be able to attend.

So, here's the deal. If you can make a donation of any amount - $5, $10, $25, $50, whatever you can afford - it would help to make this weekend more affordable for the participatns and also help to ensure that more of these retreats will happen in the future.

For your donation, whatever amount you choose to donate, you will receive a handmade lyme green bracelet as a thank you.

If you would like to make a donation, please e-mail me at [email protected] to get the address that the donations should be sent to (I prefer not to post it on here).

Thank you for your generosity to make this weekend a healing and restful opportunity for Lyme disease patients from across the country.

Peace and healing,
Annie

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

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Click here to see my Lyme journal.

[This message has been edited by arg82 (edited 27 September 2004).]

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

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I think what you're doing is a wonderful thing...I would love to be one of the lucky ones to be going...

and i certainly would help you out financially if I could . Being out of work all summer though with a flareup, I'm afraid that I am even unable to pay this months mortgage as of yet...I'm scrambling, and here it is the 27th already !(also not answering hte phone..don't you hate it when those mortgage people call so often, and you feel sooooo guilty!!) Lets all pray for a miracle together...I sure could use one too!!

we're all doing the best we can..but sometimes I wonder why it's just not good enough..you know..?

I applaud you for doing such a wonderful thing for so many people...you are a saint...And maybe next year i'll be able to help out....that's what i'm shooting for

until then..thank you for all your hard work

I've had two offers for donations so that's a start. Anything you can give would be helpful!

--Annie

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

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Annie Giddings
61 Cross Road
Rochester, MA 02770

Please write "Lyme Retreat" in the memo part of the check to make sure it goes where it's supposed to go.

THANK YOU!

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

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However for me it would be a very depressing time. Would simple stir too much emotions for me and probabbly make me feel more pathetic that i didnt try a little harder then someone who is in a wheelchair from this illness.

So everyone knows, my goal for this to cover as many costs as possible is to raise approximately $400. This will cover the cost of the liability insurance as well as some other costs like arts and crafts supplies for everyone.

I'll be keeping you all updated on how much has been raised. Here's what's been raised so far:

Thanks! Please don't feel obligated to donate a lot. If you can manage to donate $5 or $10, please don't feel that it wouldn't be enough to be worth it. Every penny counts!

Thanks so much.

Peace and healing,
Annie

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

Click to join Lyme_Camp

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

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I love your pie chart idea and am looking forward to seeing further progress in your fund raising campaign for the Lyme Retreat. I have mailed my contribution today since I am not able to attend. Wishing you all the best in your endeavor.

Getting there but still a long way to go!

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

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Click here to see my Lyme journal.

Quite a way to go still.

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

Click to join Lyme_Camp

Click here to see my Lyme journal.

I think this is great and wish I could attend. Maybe next year we can attend.

Haven't received anything in the past few days so there's no change to the amount raised so far.

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

Click to join Lyme_Camp

Click here to see my Lyme journal.

Here's a quick update. As of this morning:

Keep those donations coming. I'll be sending out the thank you bracelets within the next few weeks.

Peace and healing,
Annie

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

Click to join Lyme_Camp

Click here to see my Lyme journal.

As of today, here's how the donations are:

Just over a quarter of the way there! I can't get to the goal without more contributions. And thanks so so much for those of you who have already donated so generously to help make this weekend the best it can be!

Peace and healing,
Annie

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``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

Click to join Lyme_Camp

Click here to see my Lyme journal.

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