I received this email from a fellow Canadian who wants to get involved.

It says so much about what we are doing and gives some examples of how to become a part of our effort that I have asked permission to reprint  it verbatum in this blog.

I’d like to apologize to my Caring, generous fellow Canadian for my blunder and hope that you will dig in with both feet and give us the big shove we all want and need.

I asked to post your email because you obviously have extensive media experience and can say what needs to be said far more eloquently than I can.

Thanks for the email and please post often we would all like to hear from you.

June 14, 2008

Dear Jim,

I just had to write to wish you all well, but also to let you know that the word IS starting to spread.  Below are two emails, one I sent, and another my friend sent to her contacts when she forwarded my own.

I just received a humorous response to my email from my sister who said she is pledging $30 – or as she put it, “30 cents for 100 stingy Canadians out there”.  Cute, huh? 

I will be donating $100 on the Mac site each and every time you cross a provincial border.  I want you and the athletes to know this now in these early days when the momentum is only starting to build, and you need every scrap of encouragement and support you can get.

Jim, I am praying for the health and safety of all of you as this is an adventure not without its risks.  But then, these guys know all about risks, huh? Thank you for the blog that assures us daily that you are all in one piece.  Take care, and Godspeed.  

My friend’s email, and then my own follow:

This email was sent to me by a very dear friend. The spinal cord research discussed below looks so promising and close; its success would mean so much to so many. The website and video are really worth a look, and you may want to make a donation – large or small. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see this come to fruition in our lifetime?    

My friend’s email starts here:  

Dear Friends and Family:

http://www.wheeltowalk2008.org 

Please, please, take a look at this short video and interesting first-hand account (blog) on this website about four wheelchair athletes on their trip across Canada which has now begun in B.C.  This fun-loving and determined team is raising public awareness and funds for stem cell research at McMaster University where rats with spinal cord injuries are NOW WALKING. All that’s needed is a mere 10 million dollars — or 30 cents from each Canadian – to complete the stem cell research which WILL result in human spinal cord regeneration.

In far less time than you take to read this message, the next spinal cord injury or other neurological tragedy (e.g. Parkinson’s, MS, Alzheimer’s, ALS etc.) will have struck someone, somewhere.  That individual could be you or a person YOU deeply love. Virtually every family is affected by a serious neurological problem at some point.  It is a concern we all need to own.

Your donation is easy to make on the website. The very smallest donation is infinitely better than none.  Please take a moment to advance this important research. 

Also, would you kindly forward this email to all of your email contacts so the Wheel to Walk 2008 cross-country marathon gets the national publicity and support it deserves.  You may want to follow the blog over the next four months as this ambitious journey continues.  

Please, let’s get this news to as many Canadians as possible by forwarding this email along.  Let’s spread it like wildfire! 

Looking forward, along with you, to a world without Spinal Cord Injury; MS; Alzheimer’s; Parkinson’s; etc. etc. -  and to  an end to the overwhelming grief and suffering they create.

Thank you for listening — and even more, for giving even the very smallest amount. 

(PS: I’d be happy to forward change, cash, or cheques for anyone and ensure tax receipts are provided.) 

 

Again Thanks for this amazing email

Jim Anderson, Road Manager and Media Contact, 905 869 6125 mij@sympatico.ca