A stark contrast

What a BEAUTIFUL morning on my mountain! The breeze is crisp, and the air is cool. (No, that's not my mountain. Read on!)

It makes me want to bottle it up so George can take it with him. I am sure he would love to open a bottle and have a sweet, cool breeze caress his face after running in THAT all day! --->

Did you know there were going to be about 150 others competing in the Sahara race? It is one of the legs of 4Deserts Series, which includes the Atacama Crossing (Chili), Gobi March (China) and the Last Desert (Antarctica).

George is going to have to carry his clothes, gear and his ration of water. As if 140 degrees, the blazing sun and sand were not enough, you read that right: ration of water. Participants are given equal portions of water to keep the race fair.

The race will feature a cyber tent so the participants can email and blog and send their results to friends and family around the world eagerly anticipating word of their progress.

If you have not already done it, you need to learn more about George, Luci and why he is willing to take on this grueling race. Amazing what one will do for the love of a child.

Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request. All proceeds from Virginia's Dream through December 31, 2009 will be donated to the Autism Research Foundation.

What would you do to save a child?

The time has come to turn a new page and begin a new adventure.

As most of you know, I spend an inordinate amount of time promoting non-profit organizations in their various endeavors to make our planet a better place. Now, I am making a commitment of a larger proportion.

I shared with you my personal story of choosing human growth hormone for our son. Now, I would like to share with you another, more touching, more courageous story.

George Chmiel is going to run (not walk) 155 miles across the Sahara desert. Let that monumental undertaking sink in for a moment. Why would anyone do that? You ask.

Luci Horvath. She is 3 years old. She has panhypopituitarism. All of the hormones produced by her pituitary gland are decreased, and the condition will last her whole life.

George is a family friend who saw the daily struggles of this family first hand. He wants the world to understand this rare disorder which affects Luci. To do just that, he is going to run across the Sahara Desert.

All of the money he is raising is going to the MAGIC Foundation*. MAGIC is the premiere authority on growth disorders affecting children.

So, I have to ask you...What would you do to save a child?

Charitably yours,
Ann Marie

*MAGIC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity. All donations to MAGIC Foundation are tax deductible.


Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request. All proceeds from purchases through December 31, 2009 from Virginia's Dream are being donated to the Autism Research Foundation.