SWIM For A Cure: Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation

Hello everybody!

As you may recall, every two months my SWIM For A Cure Outreach Program strives to raise money and awareness for a different illness/charity.

I just finished working with the wonderful people at the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation, and I am very excited to begin my work with the Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation, as we team up to raise awareness for Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Before I begin to go into detail as to how SWIM For A Cure became partners with the Michael P. Savoca Foundation, you should first know a little about Pulmonary Fibrosis...

Pulmonary Fibrosis is an illness that affects the lungs. Pulmonary Fibrosis is the gradual scarring of the lung's tissue, which causes irreversible damage. Once the tissue is lost to the scarring, the tissue can no longer transfer oxygen to the bloodstream.

The cause for the illness is unknown, however, researchers believe that it is either an autoimmune disease, or it is a result of the after effect's of a viral infection.

Currently, five million people worldwide suffer from Pulmonary Fibrosis. Sadly, there is no known cure for the disease. Several drugs are still in the experimental phase, though the drugs have only shown minimal success in reducing lung tissue scarring.
(Source: Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation)

Now that you know about the illness, it is time that you learn about the new beneficiary, the Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation...

About the Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation:

"Mike Savoca was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis on March 17, 2009. Prior to his diagnosis, Mike and his family had never heard of Pulmonary Fibrosis. Over the next six months, his family watched as this horrific disease consumed Mike. Mike became easily winded and often, could not catch his breath. His breathing became labored. As Mike suffered, his family felt helpless that there was nothing they could do to help Mike. There is no cure, no treatment for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Mike passed away on September 25, 2009, just six short months after his initial diagnosis. 

Although Mike passed away from Pulmonary Fibrosis, the disease did not define him. Mike’s favorite movie was It’s a Wonderful Life. In his short life, Mike truly embodied George Bailey. Mike positively impacted many people during his life. He was a man of integrity, hard work and family values. Mike had a career of nearly forty years at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He was a mentor and friend to many of his people at the CME, always willing to listen and give advice. Mike had many lifelong friends and loved to laugh. Mike’s true passion in life was his family. The roles of husband, dad and grandpa are what truly made Mike happy. 

The Michael P. Savoca Foundation was founded by Mike’s six children who serve as the Board of Directors for the Foundation. Four of his friends and his wife serve as advisors to the Board. Although Mike is no longer with us, it is our sincere hope that we can keep Mike’s spirit alive through this foundation and the positive work we hope to accomplish catching a breath of hope for Pulmonary Fibrosis. " (Source: Michael P. Savoca Foundation)
Last year alone, the Michael P. Savoca Foundation has raised over $35,000 for Pulmonary Fibrosis research.

Now, in keeping with the tradition of SWIM For A Cure, I always explain how/why I came about choosing the particular charity or cause. I went to high school (and one of my high school's Turnabouts) with one of Michael Savoca's daughters.

I first heard of Mr. Savoca's passing when I was in the hospital awaiting my heart and kidney transplant. Since then, both the foundation and the family's story have been in the back of my mind. Now that I am back in my hometown for the summer, (along with my former Tunrabout date), I thought their was no better time than now to finally get around to working with the foundation.

Like always, keep an eye out for more e-mails regarding this new outreach program.

Thanks again to everyone who has supported the past two outreach programs for Neuroblastoma and Crohn's/Colitis.

A few SWIM For A Cure book signings are in the works. (I may even do one in Cleveland, OH... we shall see...). Keep an eye out for another blog about the official dates.

Check out the links posted at the bottom...

Have a wonderful night and week!

-Bill

Michael P. Savoca Memorial Foundation's Website
More Info About Pulmonary Fibrosis
SWIM For A Cure Page

I'M SO PATRIOTIC!

If you can't tell, I am feeling PRETTY PATRIOTIC today.

I'm feeling very red, white and blue because I AM GIVING AWAY 2 FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPIES OF SWIM ON THE 4TH OF JULY!

The giveaway is happening on Facebook from 6/23/11 - 7/4/11!

Now, you may be saying to yourself, Why would i want TWO copies of SWIM?

Great question. Yah see, if you win, your FRIEND gets a copy, too.

Here's how to enter in 6 simple steps!

STEP 1: Go to my Facebook Page

STEP 2: Click "Giveaway" on the left hand side.

STEP 3: Upon seeing THIS page...

Click "Enter Giveaway"

STEP 4: Allow Permissions

STEP 5: Post your entry on your wall. (This allows your friends to get the prize & it double enters you). Consider saying something to entice your friends/family...

STEP 6: "Like" me on Facebook if you haven't already.

AND THAT'S IT!

Just go back to your profile, smile, and know that you just entered a contest.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS! SPREAD THE WORD! Tweet

I hope you are all having a great day!

Someone You Should Know: Amy Tippins - RockScarLove.com

So as some of you may know, I tweet like a fiend (1,197 tweets... I started rethinking my my life choices around tweet 800).

Anyway, while I was getting my tweet on one day, I came across the Twitter account of Amy Tippins (@RockScarLove). Amy is the owner of RockScarLove––A clothing company that develops apparel with catchy sayings related to post surgery scars.

A transplant recipient herself, Amy set out to develop a company (and shirts) that "focus on helping transplant patients embrace their new, incredibly wonderful journey of a life."

Long story short, I am posting this blog for a handful of reasons:

1. It's a wonderful idea.
2. I think she has something that everyone would like.
3. She's someone you should know.

Amy Tippin's RockScar Love Website

MYSTIC CELT 6.24.11

What did you do tonight? Or last night? (For all of you social butterflies reading this Saturday morning...)

 Hopefully you remember.

Regardless, I have a GREAT event for all of you Chicago/Indiana/Wisconsin blog readers to check out next Friday night!

The Mystic Celt (located at 3443 N. Southport, Chicago, IL) will be hosting Danny's Song-Chicago; A benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The benefit is being held in memory of Dan Sprehe, a kind young man who passed away on September 28, 2010, from Type 1 Diabetes complications.

The cover for the event is only $40.00 per person, and it covers mixed drinks, beer, wine, and appetizers.

Doors open at 8:00 PM, and they will stay open, for benefit purposes, until 11:00 PM.

NOTE: All cover charges must be paid in cash. (Mystic Celt staff will be collecting at the door).

ANOTHER NOTE: I've been to this bar, and it was a hella-good time... no joke. I'll leave it at that.

For more information, CHECK OUT THE EVENT'S FACEBOOK PAGE!

SWIM FOR A CURE: CNCF/Cure For Kubica

Why hello everybody! I hope all is going well in everyone's day/week.

I am in  the midst of putting the final touches on the next round of SWIM For A Cure. In doing so, I realized that I never officially announced the next beneficiary of SWIM For A Cure. I bolded, underlined, and italicized "officially" because, technically, I announced it by dropping not-so-subtle clues. Some of you may have seen some statuses on my Facebook page, or you may have seen the big-assed banner on my homepage promoting an upcoming event, (which I will detail later in this blog post).

Nonetheless, I would like to officially announce that this second round of SWIM For A Cure will feature not only 1 beneficiary, but 2. Both beneficiaries were formed as a result of Neuroblastoma.

What is Neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from nerve cells found in several areas of the body. Neuroblastoma most commonly arises in and around the adrenal glands, which have similar origins to nerve cells and sit atop the kidneys. However, neuroblastoma can also develop in other areas of the abdomen and in the chest, neck and pelvis, where groups of nerve cells exist.

Neuroblastoma most commonly affects children age 5 or younger, though it may rarely occur in older children. (Source: Mayo Clinic).

The first beneficiary is THE CHILDREN'S NEUROBLASTOMA CANCER FOUNDATION

The Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation (CNCF) is dedicated to raising Neuroblastoma awareness and to raising money towards a cure for the disease. To date, the CNCF has funded over 1.5 million dollars in Neuroblastoma research.

I had the pleasure of joining the CNCF President, Pat Tallungan, and the rest of the CNCF staff earlier this month at their 7th Annual "Allie & Friends Golf Classic" in Lake in the Hills, IL. The event was spectacular, and it featured current Indianapolis Colts players, Ryan Diem, Jeff Saturday, Dallas Clark, Gary Brackett, and several others. A handful of ex-Chicago Bears and current Green Bay Packers players also donated their time to the event and cause.

After attending the event I was blown away by the passion and organization of every staff member. Needless to say, I went home thrilled to begin working with the CNCF.

*The CNCF will receive 20% of book proceeds through the SWIM For A Cure eStore along with 50% of online donations between 6.1.11 - 7.31.11.

The second and final beneficiary is CURE FOR KUBICA

Alec Kubica, a recent graduate of Lake Park High School, is the sole reason why I initially became interested in Neuroblastoma. I initially heard about Alec and his story from a close family friend last March. 

Last summer, Alec was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. Within weeks of of his diagnosis, Alec began his first of six rounds of chemotherapy at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Since being diagnosed, Alec has undergone a multitude of procedures, including a tumor removal from his skull and a stem cell transplant.

Much like SWIM readers relate to my story in their own way, I relateed to Alec's current battle. Though the illnesses are completely different, I can fully appreciate the daily battles of being ill and the emotions involved with every procedure. I can also fully understand the financial toll an illness takes on a family. It is because of this understanding that I have included Cure For Kubica as a secondary beneficiary to this round of SWIM For A Cure.

*Alec's family will receive 20% of book proceeds through the SWIM For A Cure eStore and 50% of all online donations between 6.1.11 - 7.31.11. The money will go towards the cost of medical/parking/lodging expenses.

Now that you know the stories and you are updated on the upcoming cause, you should know about an upcoming event...

Egg Harbor Cafe in Wheaton, IL is opening their doors to SWIM For A Cure, and they will be donating 10% of your bill to the Children's Neuroblastoma Caner Foundation. The only catch is that you need to BRING IN THE FLYER when you come to the event and present the flyer to your waiter/waitress. The hours of the event are 6AM - 2PM.

I will also be at this event signing copies of SWIM. 20% of the book proceeds (on 6.11.11) will go to the CNCF and 10% of the book proceeds will go to Cure For Kubica. I, however, will only be signing copies from 9AM - 2PM. (You wouldn't want to see me at 6AM... trust me).

Check out the official page for the event and make sure you forward this blog post to all your friends.

I hope to see a lot of you at the event!

Take care and enjoy your night.

SWIM FOR A CURE INFO PAGE

Someone You Should Know: Nick Murway - NickPhoto.net

Last month I had the pleasure of working with a great guy named Nick Murway. Nick is a recent Photography graduate of Columbia College Chicago.

I was in desperate need of some photos due to certain bloggers/e-zines requesting "never before used" photos. After browsing Columbia's online student portfolio, I narrowed my selection down to Nick.

Long story short, I am posting this blog for a handful of reasons:

1. I'm happy with the finished product.

2. I had a great experience at the shoot.

3. Nick's a really nice guy.

4. He's fresh out of college, and anyone fresh out of college needs help promoting themselves.

5. He's someone you should know.

If you happen to need a photographer this summer, check this guy out.

Nick Murway's Website: www.nickphoto.net/

See the photo I used on my website (bottom right): www.billcoonbooks.com

We couldn't resist taking a pic of the book with this sign...

What Are You Doing This Saturday?

Three weeks ago I attended a living kidney donation informational seminar in Chicago. The event was sponsored by the Living Kidney Donor Network (LKDN.org) and those in attendance were individuals who are in need of a kidney transplant, and individuals who were recently notified by there doctor that they should begin preparing for the possibility of a kidney transplant within the coming year. I was in attendance after being asked by LKDN's President to serve as mentor/veteran of transplant.

While I was at the event, I struck up a conversation with Jorge Mariscal. Jorge is a 21 year-old college student who was diagnosed with renal failure in 2005 during his junior year of high school. Since being diagnosed, Jorge has been undergoing dialysis treatments with the hopes of someday receiving a kidney transplant. However, there is a major roadblock standing in the way of Jorge's future––money.

Jorge's insurance only covers the cost of dialysis. Unfortunately, it does not cover the cost of transplant. 

Jorge is being managed at Loyola University Medical Center, who has set the price of a kidney transplant at $100,000. Thus far, the Mariscals have managed to save $15,000.

This Saturday, the Mariscals will be hosting a benefit for the Jorge A. Mariscal Kidney Transplant Fund.

The event will be held in Melrose Park, IL. Below I have posted an image of the informational flyer, which details the festivities and event times. Definitely check it out if you are in the area. 

I realize that a good portion of this blog's readers either live across the country or across an ocean, so for all of you, I guess I ask that you take away the simple thought of how disgustingly greedy our world/humanity has become that there is now, undoubtedly, a price tag on life.

Jorge A. Mariscal Kidney Transplant Fund Facebook Page