Sometimes you don’t even know how much you have changed the world.
Every year, I take part in an event called, Light The Night Walk. It’s for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. I take part in this walk for a very personal reason. My best friend’s daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was just five years old. No previous family history. No previous medical issues with her. Just “boom.” She was suddenly very sick and the prognosis and recovery is always very touch and go. A living nightmare. Leah made it out alive. She is in remission… back at school… back with her loving family… back playing with friends. Others, are not so lucky. I know a handful of other children – just like Leah – who are no longer with us. They died way too young and leave massive holes in their families and friends’ lives. It’s a kind of gunk that sticks in your belly and festers. Walking and trying to raise money for this worthy cause seemed like the least that I could do. But, I didn’t want to do it alone.
This is where you came in.
On September 17th, 2014, I pleaded my case (again) to all of you in a blog post titled, This Ain’t No Ice Bucket Challenge. I ask you – my very dear readers, friends and members of the Six Pixels of Separation community – to help me out and raise some funds. As I am constantly stating, I do not like asking for help (especially) when it comes to asking for money, and I was well-aware that I need to make this ask hot on the heels of the popularity of the the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I set a goal to raise $5000 for this event… and you crushed it for me. Thank you! Together, we raised over $14,000. Awesome. Our team, Leah’s Helpers, raised close to $65,000, and we wound up being the #3 team in the country. Yes, all because of you. Thank you (again).
My side of the deal.
As part of the experience, I also offered up some prizes for those who wanted to participate. I’m really thrilled to announce those today:
- Prize #1 – The one-hour get together with me (via Skype, Google Hangouts or in-person) is Harvey McKinnon. Harvey will also get a signed copy of my two business books, Six Pixels of Separation and CTRL ALT Delete.
- Prize #2 – The business book bundle including: Six Pixels of Separation, CTRL ALT Delete, Unselling by Scott Stratten and Alison Kramer, How The World Sees You by Sally Hogshead and The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau goes to Derek Coburn.
- Prize #3 – A pair of special tickets to The Art Of… event of your choice (excluding travel, etc…) goes to: Stephane Lagrange, Kim Blake, Gillian Steinberg Sinclair, Helen Egan and Kate Henderson.
Congrats and thank you everyone!