I wanted to send out a quick thank you to Diane’s Natural Market (http://www.dianesnaturalfoods.com/) on SR 312. They have generously agreed to help us collect donations for the Dannika White Fund. Diane’s has been a St. Augustine fixture for many years (winning St. Augustine Best Health Food Store 11 years in a row!). They are a true gem of the community and we are so grateful for their help.
The Dannika White Fund now has collection containers placed in Roberts Feed (Master’s Drive), Discount Groceries Scratch and Dent (on SR 16), Coffee Creations in the Cobblestone Plaza (on SR 312), and now Diane’s Natural Market. Please patronize these businesses to help us thank them for placing our containers.
Lastly, the Dannika White Fund Ebay store has two new auctions listed. Up for bidding this week is an original watercolor painting by renowned Florida artist, Leah Wiedemer, and a unique, beaded, clutch-style purse. The painting is a one-of-a-kind floral piece that is matted and framed – ready for hanging. The purse is a beautiful, intricately beaded accessory that would be a boon to any couture collection. Go to http://stores.ebay.com/Dannika-White-Fund to bid.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
$500 Raised in Two Weeks
The Dannika White Fund is so pleased to announce that with your help it has raised nearly $500 in two weeks! Coffee Creations in the Cobblestone Plaza (best coffee in the city!) http://www.myspace.com/coffeecreations, Discount Groceries Scratch and Dent (on SR 16) http://discountgroceriesandmore.com/, and Robert’s Feed (on Master’s Drive) http://tinyurl.com/285as9z have generously allowed us to place collection containers in their businesses. Please help us thank them by patronizing their businesses.
The Dannika White Fund Ebay Store has also had a successful launch. We have lovely collectables, art, clothing, and every day items that have been donated for the Ebay store. We are uploading new items on there every day, so please stop by frequently to see what’s new. http://stores.ebay.com/Dannika-White-Fund
Our Modest Needs account has reached 3% of its goal and we have high hopes that between direct donations to this account http://tinyurl.com/2afj2gg and the donations collected through the Dannika White Fund Putnam Bank account (http://www.paypal.com/ to dannikawhitefund@gmail.com), we will meet our goal. We have about 45 days to reach our goal, so time is of the essence!
And soon we will have a huge announcement about our upcoming community fundraiser. We are planning an event that will be a fun for all while raising money for Dannika’s oral surgeries. We are very excited about it and can’t wait to make the announcement. As soon as all the Ts are crossed and Is are dotted, we’ll send out the announcement through this blog and many media outlets.
Thank you all again for your unfailing support,
The Dannika White Fund
The Dannika White Fund Ebay Store has also had a successful launch. We have lovely collectables, art, clothing, and every day items that have been donated for the Ebay store. We are uploading new items on there every day, so please stop by frequently to see what’s new. http://stores.ebay.com/Dannika-White-Fund
Our Modest Needs account has reached 3% of its goal and we have high hopes that between direct donations to this account http://tinyurl.com/2afj2gg and the donations collected through the Dannika White Fund Putnam Bank account (http://www.paypal.com/ to dannikawhitefund@gmail.com), we will meet our goal. We have about 45 days to reach our goal, so time is of the essence!
And soon we will have a huge announcement about our upcoming community fundraiser. We are planning an event that will be a fun for all while raising money for Dannika’s oral surgeries. We are very excited about it and can’t wait to make the announcement. As soon as all the Ts are crossed and Is are dotted, we’ll send out the announcement through this blog and many media outlets.
Thank you all again for your unfailing support,
The Dannika White Fund
Monday, May 3, 2010
Charity Auction Going On Now
The Dannika White Fund has opened an auction to raise money toward Dannika's surgeries. The first item up on the block is a rare, French crystal Baccarat bull. The bull is a true collectors item and it is in pristine condition. Check it out here. http://tinyurl.com/2ex2zhb
And let the bidding begin!
And let the bidding begin!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Dannika White Fund
Have you ever had that nightmare where all of your teeth start crumbling and falling out of your mouth? That horror is a reality for Dannika White. Dannika was born with the genetic disorder, Amelogensis Imperfecta (AI). AI causes abnormal enamel formation, and can have varying degrees of affect on those afflicted with it. Unfortunately Dannika has a very severe form of this disorder. She has had 12 surgeries since her infancy, simply to maintain a low level of oral function. These oral surgeries and dentistry are no longer maintaining her fragile teeth. Her teeth are cracking and breaking into shards. They have incurred dangerous infections that threaten her life. She can longer chew food, and is in constant, debilitating pain.
Dannika needs oral surgery immediately. She needs to have all of her teeth removed, her infections treated, her bones seeded to prevent collapse, and dentures implanted. Because amelogenesis imperfecta is such a rare genetic disorder, very few oral surgeons have experience in treating it. Dannika has found an experienced oral surgeon, Dr. Gregory Oxford, in St. Augustine, who has developed a treatment plan for her. Though Dr. Oxford has generously discounted his work, the first phase of the treatment has a cost of nearly $7,000.
Dannika is a high school student. She does not qualify for health insurance, Medicaid is not accepted by the Oxford Dental Group, and she has been turned down for lines of credit. She is in desperate need of these surgeries, but has no way to pay for it. Family and friends have organized the Dannika White Fund to help her raise the money she needs to get started. Donations to the fund are gratefully accepted at all Putnam State Bank locations, the Paypal Donate button to the right of this post, as well as through the http://www.modestneeds.org/ application ID #150838. The Fund is also raising money through its auctions at its Ebay Store, http://tinyurl.com/2ex2zhb .
Dannika needs oral surgery immediately. She needs to have all of her teeth removed, her infections treated, her bones seeded to prevent collapse, and dentures implanted. Because amelogenesis imperfecta is such a rare genetic disorder, very few oral surgeons have experience in treating it. Dannika has found an experienced oral surgeon, Dr. Gregory Oxford, in St. Augustine, who has developed a treatment plan for her. Though Dr. Oxford has generously discounted his work, the first phase of the treatment has a cost of nearly $7,000.
Dannika is a high school student. She does not qualify for health insurance, Medicaid is not accepted by the Oxford Dental Group, and she has been turned down for lines of credit. She is in desperate need of these surgeries, but has no way to pay for it. Family and friends have organized the Dannika White Fund to help her raise the money she needs to get started. Donations to the fund are gratefully accepted at all Putnam State Bank locations, the Paypal Donate button to the right of this post, as well as through the http://www.modestneeds.org/ application ID #150838. The Fund is also raising money through its auctions at its Ebay Store, http://tinyurl.com/2ex2zhb .
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
URGENT REQUEST -- HELP NEEDED
Hello All,
I am writing on behalf of my dear friend, Kaurie, because she is in desperate need of your generosity. Her daughter has Amelio Genesis Imperfecta. This is a genetic disorder that caused her teeth to form without enamel. Her teeth are crumbling which has triggered a life-threatening and incredibly painful infection. She needs immediate oral surgery to remove all but six of her teeth, the bone prepped for preservation, and eventually dentures. This will cost $7,000, which is far more than Kaurie has been able to save. Kaurie has applied for and been denied for credit to pay for this operation, so her last resort is a grant from ModestNeeds.org.
Modest Needs is a non-profit organization that takes in donations and uses the funds to provide grants for people in need. Kaurie’s grant request has been accepted by Modest Needs, but it still requires funding from people like us. When you make a tax-refundable donation to Modest Needs, your account is credited with points (1 point per dollar donated) and you can apply those points to any grant request in their network. Kaurie needs 6,598 points to receive her grant for her daughter’s surgery.
Any contribution is gratefully received. Kaurie’s daughter needs this surgery as soon as possible. If you can make a small donation to this cause, please review Kaurie’s request here Application 150838. After registering with Modest Needs you can make a tax-deductable donation to the organization and the corresponding points will be allocated to your Modest Needs account. Please then apply these points to application #150838.
Kaurie, her daughter, and I thank you in advance for your generosity. Your donations will go directly to saving a young woman’s life and giving her an opportunity to live her first pain-free days in nearly a decade.
Thank you again,
Erin
PS: Please forward this request to as many people as possible. The more who can help, the faster Kaurie's daughter can get her opperations.
I am writing on behalf of my dear friend, Kaurie, because she is in desperate need of your generosity. Her daughter has Amelio Genesis Imperfecta. This is a genetic disorder that caused her teeth to form without enamel. Her teeth are crumbling which has triggered a life-threatening and incredibly painful infection. She needs immediate oral surgery to remove all but six of her teeth, the bone prepped for preservation, and eventually dentures. This will cost $7,000, which is far more than Kaurie has been able to save. Kaurie has applied for and been denied for credit to pay for this operation, so her last resort is a grant from ModestNeeds.org.
Modest Needs is a non-profit organization that takes in donations and uses the funds to provide grants for people in need. Kaurie’s grant request has been accepted by Modest Needs, but it still requires funding from people like us. When you make a tax-refundable donation to Modest Needs, your account is credited with points (1 point per dollar donated) and you can apply those points to any grant request in their network. Kaurie needs 6,598 points to receive her grant for her daughter’s surgery.
Any contribution is gratefully received. Kaurie’s daughter needs this surgery as soon as possible. If you can make a small donation to this cause, please review Kaurie’s request here Application 150838. After registering with Modest Needs you can make a tax-deductable donation to the organization and the corresponding points will be allocated to your Modest Needs account. Please then apply these points to application #150838.
Kaurie, her daughter, and I thank you in advance for your generosity. Your donations will go directly to saving a young woman’s life and giving her an opportunity to live her first pain-free days in nearly a decade.
Thank you again,
Erin
PS: Please forward this request to as many people as possible. The more who can help, the faster Kaurie's daughter can get her opperations.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Free Speech Needs Your Help
There is a movement to reform England's draconian Libel Laws, but they need your help. The Libel Reform Campaign is collecting signatures for a petition to parliament. Currently the laws require the writer or speaker to carry the burden of proof of malicious intent instead of the accuser. This means that anyone who posts their work in England OR ON THE INTERNET can be sued for libel in England's courts and will have to pay thousands, sometimes millions of pounds to defend themselves.* This creates an atmosphere of fear. Reporters, bloggers, even essayist must consider the fact that they could be sued into poverty at any moment if they anger the wrong person or group with their work. Please take a moment to sign this petition and protect Free Speech http://www.libelreform.org/*This has happened to Investigative Science Reporter, Simon Singh. To learn more about his story go to: http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/340 & http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/333/ &
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Phantoms in the Brain
I just picked up, Phantoms in the Brain, by V.S. Ramachandran. Dr. Ramachandran is Director of the Center for Brain and Cognition and Professor with the Psychology Department and Neurosciences Program at the University of California, San Diego, and Adjunct Professor of Biology at the Salk Institute. He is best known for his study of visual perception and behavioral neurology. Phantoms in the Brain delves into both of these areas as Ramachandran explores the mysteries of the mind.
What I have found most amazing about this book so far is the fact that the adult brain is so malleable. Damage may be reversed, or at least compensated for by other areas. Neural pathways are not set in stone. Scientists are just beginning to understand how our brains perceive ourselves and our environment, and this understanding will open doors only previously imagined. With further understanding, doctors may one day be able to treat stroke patients by building new neural pathways that will allow sectors of the brain to take up the cues and commands of the damaged portions.
Furthermore, Dr. Ramachandran has discovered that visual cues play a significant role in our perceptions. Sight can dictate our perceptions ourselves as well as the outside world. He found that amputees' experiences of phantom limbs had a direct correlation to their sight-induced body image. If the limbs were paralyzed before amputation, he found that many of the patients experienced paralyzed phantoms, and that this was caused and (in about 50% of cases) could be cured by visual cues.
As a reader with little scientific training, I found this book both fascinating and easy to understand. Dr. Ramachandran writes for a lay audience as opposed to neurologists. The book also contains numerous images and diagrams to aid in understanding, as well as very detailed end-notes and bibliography. Science may be generations away from explaining the inner workings of the mind and perception, but Phantoms in the Brain is an important stop along that road.
What I have found most amazing about this book so far is the fact that the adult brain is so malleable. Damage may be reversed, or at least compensated for by other areas. Neural pathways are not set in stone. Scientists are just beginning to understand how our brains perceive ourselves and our environment, and this understanding will open doors only previously imagined. With further understanding, doctors may one day be able to treat stroke patients by building new neural pathways that will allow sectors of the brain to take up the cues and commands of the damaged portions.
Furthermore, Dr. Ramachandran has discovered that visual cues play a significant role in our perceptions. Sight can dictate our perceptions ourselves as well as the outside world. He found that amputees' experiences of phantom limbs had a direct correlation to their sight-induced body image. If the limbs were paralyzed before amputation, he found that many of the patients experienced paralyzed phantoms, and that this was caused and (in about 50% of cases) could be cured by visual cues.
As a reader with little scientific training, I found this book both fascinating and easy to understand. Dr. Ramachandran writes for a lay audience as opposed to neurologists. The book also contains numerous images and diagrams to aid in understanding, as well as very detailed end-notes and bibliography. Science may be generations away from explaining the inner workings of the mind and perception, but Phantoms in the Brain is an important stop along that road.
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