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KristineS
08-18-2009, 12:41 PM
I feel like I preach about this subject a little too much sometimes, but I do feel that bloggers can do a lot of good and cause a lot of change if they put their minds to it. I wanted to share just one example with you.

There's a blog called Fat Cyclist, which started out as a blog written by a guy who was a cyclist and felt he was overweight. The blog was really started as a way to chronicle his weight loss journey. As he was writing the blog, his wife was diagnosed with cancer and gradually the blog also became about that.

Fatty's wife (as his blog readers affectionately call him) died recently. In this year alone, readers of his blog have raised over $600,000 for cancer research. One simple blog and one guy who writes well and was willing to share his story has made that much of a difference.

Kind of makes you wonder what the rest of us could do if we tried.

You can find his blog here (http://www.fatcyclist.com/)

vangogh
08-18-2009, 12:59 PM
It's amazing what a lone person can do today with a blog. Go back 10 years and a single individual didn't have the mechanism for publishing and distribution they do today. Now within a few minutes you can have both by installing a blog or signing up for one of the free hosted blogs.

Sad story, but good to see something constructive is coming out of it.

Blessed
08-19-2009, 11:19 AM
It reminds me of the couple whose daughter passed away in April - Maddie had been a preemie, but was 18 months old and doing pretty good. Then she developed a respiratory infection and her weak lungs couldn't overcome it. She died just a couple of weeks before the local March of Dimes walk that her family was already involved in. Their goal was $3,000, they ended up raising over $50,000 - Primarily because of blogging friends who asked for help.

Also people donated money to help with the funeral expenses, there was enough left over that the Spohr's started a charitable organization in her honor .

Websites:
The Spohr's Are Multiplying (Mom's blog) (http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/)
Newborn Identity (Dad's blog) (http://thenewbornidentity.com/)
Friends of Maddie (http://friendsofmaddie.org/)

KristineS
08-19-2009, 03:37 PM
Blessed, I know about the Spohrs as well. It is truly amazing what people can do and how other people will respond. It's too bad that often the impetus is a tragedy, but at least some good is coming out of what is a sad situation.

Spider
08-19-2009, 04:34 PM
Cool stries - I posted this to Facebook -- Frederick @ Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/frederickpearce)

greenoak
09-30-2009, 08:54 PM
frederick...its nice to see your face on facebook...i sent you a request!!!...ann