A Cross Between Mother Theresa and Joan Jett

Many of you know I am the kind of sceptical guy who never forwards chain emails.

The attached is a genuine appeal for sponsorship from someone I know personally, Denis Campbell, and whose absolute integrity I hold in very high regard.

He is running in two half-marathons to raise money for an old school friend of his who has dedicated her career to delivering medical supplies to people in developing nations and deprived areas of the US who can't afford it and now ironically she herself needs medical help and has been refused the travel costs by her (US) insurance company.

Please read Denis' story below and consider visiting the link he provides to make a donation to help this person who has helped so many others.

I particularly like Denis' description of her as "a cross between Mother Theresa and Joan Jett"!

Dave

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Denis Campbell
Date: 2009/8/24
Subject: Denis Campbell asking if you could please help me help Paula?
To: Denis Campbell

On 22 June, my high school friend, Paula Persechini-Petitti was delivering emergency diabetes health screenings across the Pine Ridge Sioux Indian Reservation. Pine Ridge was economically distressed in the ‘70s. It is now a 3^rd world nation within the USA’s borders with a land mass the size of Connecticut and a road system equivalent to Zimbabwe.

Her car was rear-ended there at 60 mph (100 kph) placing her in a coma. Friends raised $18,000 in cash for an emergency medical life-flight from Rapid City, SD to home in Boston that her health insurance would not authorise. She is awake but requires long-term, highly specialized brain injury treatment. Paula’s case is another example of the broken US healthcare system.

Ironically, she spent her life bringing life-saving medical supplies and doctors to 3^rd world ‘hospitals’ around the world through the BlackRiverProject.org. Now her insurance refuses to cover the $45,000 pre-payment required for a brain injury rehab hospital. They will park her in a nursing home. Such ‘parking’ though will not help her recover and she runs the risk of losing her home and financial ruin. So, she needs all of our help and… would never ask for it for herself.

I am running in two road races to raise funds for Paula’s care. On Sunday, 06 September, it’s the HSBC Cardiff 10K (6.2 miles) and on 18 October, the Cardiff 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles/21 kms). As many know, I had a minor stroke, 9-months ago. I’ve since lost 30 kilos (66 lbs/4.6 stone) through diet and running. My goal is to run in my 1^st every marathon in London (at age 52!) in April, 2010.

Every penny you give helps ease the family’s burdens. We would be extremely grateful if you could consider a $5, £10 or €20 contribution (more, gratefully accepted!) here at the website www.BringPaulaHome.org It only takes a two clicks after entering your credit or debit card using the secure Internet PayPal system. Please insert the words: “Denis runs” in the “add special instructions” field so they can keep track. With your help we can hopefully raise $5,000 for Paula’s care.

I wrote about Paula in several articles (1^st one is third on the page). Paula never accepted “no” for an answer and has done the impossible for so many. She is fighting back and we can’t accept “no” for her. She is a once-in-a-lifetime “force of nature,” what would happen if Mother Theresa were crossed with Joan Jett. This e-mail is going to some 4,000 people with my advance deepest thanks for your kind attention.

All the best,

Denis Campbell