CHERUBS Raffle for Research

Last December we held a Facebook contest and you voted for your favorite Research Center to get a $10,000 CDH Research Grant. We were able to give away 2 grants for $10,000 each thanks to all your help selling 50/50 CDH Raffle tickets and thanks to 1 determined family who raised $10,000 in memory of their daughter! $10,000 went to The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at CHOP and $10,000 went to DHREAMS Research Study (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia).

THIS YEAR:

Our goal is to sell 1000 more 50/50 CDH Raffle tickets to raise another $10,000 and to work together to raise an additional $15,000 through fundraisers and firstgiving pages. 

Think we can do it? Want to give $25,000 in CDH Research Grants this December? We sure do!!!

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Purchase tickets at http://2014cdhresearchraffleeventbrite.com/

2. Sell paper tickets by e-mailing us your name and address to research@cdhsupport.org

3. Hold a fundraiser by talking to our Fundraising Coordinator Melissa Larrison at mlarrison@cherubs-cdh.org

4. Create a Firstgiving Page in honor/memory of your cherub at https://www.firstgiving.com/10125/cherubs-2013-cdh-research-fund-drive

It's not hard to help! We had several families sell over 50 tickets each and we have had 2 families raise over $10,000 on Firstgiving and one who raised $25,000! If all of us work together on this we can far exceed our goal and raise a lot of money for CDH Research!

For more information:
CHERUBS - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): CDH Research

We're in the home stretch of the Groupon Grassroots Totebag Fundraiser

Just in case you haven't heard, CHERUBS has partnered with Groupon Grassroots to launch a fundraiser to help support the HOPE Totebag program.  These totebags are sent to CHERUBS members who are expecting a child with CDH or with one currently in the NICU.  It includes lots of items and information to help with an extended hospital stay (which unfortunately is very common among children who have CDH).

This fundraiser launched last Thursday (5/30) and runs until Sunday, June 9.  The awesome thing about this fundraiser is that Groupon actually absorbs all fees and transactions costs, so 100% of the money raised goes directly to CHERUBS.   100%!!

Donations can be made in increments of $10 with every 5 donations covering the cost of one bag.  There aren't many easier ways to donate to such a worthwhile cause where 100% of the money raised goes to the chosen charity.

Why am I so passionate about this fundraiser?  Here's a blog post I wrote for my friends at RockScar Love called "Death, you messed with the wrong dad AGAIN"

Please consider making a donation.  Thank you very much.

Here is the link to donate:  http://www.groupon.com/deals/cherubs

President Dawn Torrence Williamson, Represents CHERUBS at International CDH Workshop in Rotterdam

This week CHERUBS President and Founder, Dawn Torrence Williamson, will be speaking to CDH surgeons and researchers at the International CDH Workshop at Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam, Holland.   An event to showcase the latest in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Research and results from the CDH Study Group, this is a wonderful opportunity for the world's largest CDH charity to share our information and services and to learn how we can better work with researchers worldwide


CHERUBS - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): President Dawn Torrence Williamson, Represents CHERUBS at International CDH Workshop in Rotterdam

S.Res. 85: A resolution designating April 2013 as “National Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month”.

On March 20, 2013 Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), along with Co-Sponsor Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced  S.Res. 85: A resolution designating April 2013 as “National Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month”.

On March 20, 2013 it was passed.

The United States Senate has officially designated April 2013 as “National Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month”.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/sres85

This is an incredible victory for our cause in the battle against CDH and today, we celebrate!  

This resolution not only asks for awareness for an entire month but for research as well.   A press release and full text will be posted soon.

Even as we celebrate, the war is not yet over.  We are now rallying the troops to introduce and pass a resolution in the United States House of Representatives as well for CDH Awareness and also for Research.  

We also continue to gather proclamations from cities and states for more local awareness. 

The Parades of Cherubs across the country will now turn into celebrations also.

The Washington DC Parade of Cherubs has now changed focus from the Senate to the House as we march on Capitol Hill.

We ask our members and supporters to continue to push to raise more CDH Awareness, to join in and celebrate with us on April 19th by marching in a Parade of Cherubs, joining an event or participating in the Virtual Parade of Cherubs on-line.  

http://www.cdhawarenessday.org

This achievement has been many, many years in the making but it could not have been done without the support of our members, other CDH charities, all those who signed the petitions and all those who never gave up.   Our deepest, sincerest gratitude goes out Senator Sessions and his family for without their cherub, Jim Beau, and their amazing support none of this would be possible.

CHERUBS - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): S.Res. 85: A resolution designating April 2013 as “National Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Month”.

CHERUBS - Chicago Parade of Cherubs on April 19th!

Join us for April 19th, the International Day of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness!!!!

Chicago, IL Parade

    On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/events/530087357016093/

    Register on Eventbrite - http://cdhawarenessday-2013chicago.eventbrite.com/

    Set up your own Team Member page on Firstgiving - https://www.firstgiving.com/10125/cdhawarenessday2013

    50% of money raised will be donated to Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children's Memorial) for CDH Research

    Contact Neil Rubenstein with any questions about this event at illinois@cherubs-cdh.org

CHERUBS - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): Chicago Parade of Cherubs on April 19th!

CHERUBS 2012 Milestones and Accomplishments for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

As we wrap up 2012 and welcome 2013, our charity would like to thank all of the members, donors and friends who make it possible for us to help families affected by Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

We are very proud of our accomplishments this year and look forward to many more in the upcoming year!

CHERUBS 2012 Milestones and Accomplishments (so far):

  * New Executive Board of Directors
  * New Parent Advisory Board
  * New Medical Advisory Board
  * New Vice-President, Ashley Barry
  * New Secretary, Lauren Campbell
  * New Treasurer, Kelly Green-Krist
  * Senate Bill S.3396 Introduced
  * Parade of Cherubs on April 19th in Washington DC to Capitol Hill
  * Members met with the offices of over 25 Senators
  * April 19th CDH
  * Parades of Cherubs on April 19th in Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Denver, St. Louis, Peoria
  * UK Light up The Night on April 19th
  * First ever Virtual CDH Awareness Parade on April 19th  * 2012 CDH Conference in San Francisco
  * New CHERUBS Web Site
  * New Logo
  * New Facebook Forums Application created
  * $10,000 CDH Research Grant contest started (ends December 30th)
  * $10,000 CDH Research Grant awarded to ______________ on December 30th (by votes)
  * Another $10,000 CDH Research Grant awarded to ______________ on December 30th (already chosen)
  * First ever Facebook Grant Contest held by a CDH charity
  * Over 300 care packages sent to families through our CDH HOPE Totebag project
  * CDH families represented at the American Pediatric Surgical Association conference
  * Our 2012 National Children's Memorial Day tribute honored the memories over 1000 cherubs
  * Texas Get-Together
  * Ohio Picnic
  * UK Get-Together in Scotland
  * Chicago CDH Carnival  * Pennsylvania / NJ / Delaware Picnic
  * Denver Picnic
  * Indiana Get-Together
  * Washington Zoo Trip
  * Oregon members met with Senators
  * Oregon members represent CDH families at the opening of Randall Children's Hospital
  * Over 900 raffle tickets sold for the 50/50 CDH Research Raffle raising $9000 for Research
  * Over 10,000 Facebook Fans reached
  * Over 10,000 signatures reached on CDH Research Bill petition
  * Over 18,000 people reached in one post on Facebook
  * 2012 Silver Lining Newsletter Published
  * 2012 CDH Awareness Video
  * Day of 2012 CDH Awareness Video
  * Participated in televised Raleigh Christmas Parade
  * CHERUBS members in Claremont, NC Christmas Parade
  * CHERUBS members in Snoqualmie Days Parade
  * It's a Knock-Out UK Fundraiser
  * Masquerading Angels Ball
  * UK Formal Ball
  * CDH Awareness Calendar featuring over 1300 CDH patients
  * Save the Cherubs CDH Awareness Calendar
  * First CDH Awareness Calendar in the United Kingdom
  * Won Shane Co. charity contest
  * Won the JuJuBelle Facebook contest
  * Our CDH Awareness Ribbon included in St. Louis Cardinals Game to raise money for St. Louis hospital
  * Washington Mud Run Fundraiser
  * Enter Stage Left Fundraiser  * UK Fishing Competition Fundraiser
  * Rockin' for Aidan Fundraiser
  * CHERUBS joins Google+
  * CHERUBS joins Chirpify
  * CHERUBS joins Pinterest
  * CHERUBS joins Instagram  * CDH Fundraising Kits created
  * Cooking With Cherubs cookbook project begun
  * Participated in the San Francisco Marathon
  * Participated in the Boston Marathon
  * Participated in the Baltimore Marathon
  * Participated in the Great Human Race in Durham, NC
  * Participated in the Iron Girl all women's half Marathon in the Mid-Atlantic
  * Participated in the Baltimore, MD Metric Marathon
  * Participated in the High Cloud Snapple Half Marathon in Washington, DC
  * Save The Cherubs in the Silicon Valley
  * New Holiday Facebook Covers project started
  * Dozens of free CDH Awareness graphics made
  * New yellow CDH Awareness Bracelets created
  * 47 members of the Angel Club
  * Over 100 new Save the Cherubs posters created
  * Membership reaches over 4200 families in 54 states
  * CHERUBS moves to new office
  * 5 television interviews
  * Over 2 dozen newspaper articles
  * 1 magazine article
  * Moved to new office

Be sure to check out the main CHERUBS blog for more great pictures of our 2012 accomplishments.

There's still time to vote: CHERUBS sponsors $10,000 Facebook Contest to Benefit CDH Research

Something very exciting is going on at +CHERUBS and we want YOU to be a part of it! Thanks to all of you wonderful members and fans for buying and selling raffle tickets we are ready to award a $10,000 CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA RESEARCH GRANT!!!! We could choose a hospital ourselves but we thought it would be more fun, and raise more awareness, to get your help! So the hospital with the most votes by December 30th will win $10,000 for CDH Research!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vote at https://www.facebook.com/questions/10151158907097006 

In the running are the following CDH labs and clinics: 

• Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Genetic Research Study
• DHREAMS Research Study (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia) Lab 
• St. Louis Fetal Care Institute 
• Baylor College of Medicine CDH Genetic Lab 
• The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at CHOP 
• UCSF Fetal Treatment Center 
• Shands at the University of Florida CDH Clinic 
• Boston Children's Hospital CDH Clinic 

For more information:

CHERUBS - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): CHERUBS sponsors $10,000 Facebook Contest to Benefit CDH Research

CALL TO ACTION: Ask Your Senators to Support Senate Bill S.3396 for CDH Research

Sen. Sessions joined with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) to introduce legislation this summer to raise public awareness of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) and place a greater emphasis on medical research to diagnose and treat the disease. Sessions’... grandson, Jim Beau, is a CDH survivor:

"I am honored to introduce this bill today, and am grateful for Senator Cardin’s support. This is a critical issue and early detection and awareness make a dramatic impact in the survival rate. However, more research is needed and this legislation asks the National Institutes of Health to determine whether a greater emphasis can be placed on CDH research within its existing budget."

CHERUBS is so proud to be a part of this historic event, the first step to real help to save the lives of babies born with CDH. 

CHERUBS - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): CALL TO ACTION: Ask Your Senators to Support Senate Bill S.3396 for CDH Research

Just the facts....about the CHERUBS Kids Carnival

Hopefully this will answer any and all questions you may have regarding the CHERUBS Kids Carnival this Sunday.

Date: October 14
Time:  11 am - 2 pm
Location: Recreation Center of Highland Park located at 1207 Park Ave. W, Highland Park, Illinois
Admission: FREE - there is no entrance fee but tickets will be sold to play the games, etc.
Additional Venue information:    Plenty of parking is available onsite.  This is an indoor event that will take place in one of the basketball courts with food and redemption in a separate room.

What kinds of activities will you have at the carnival?  We will have 20+ carnival games, balloon twisting by Aunt Nora, face painting, KidSnips will be doing hair, TAT4u will be offering airbrush tattoos, a bounce house, trivia games by Loren of Fun, Fun, Fun DJ's, and music & dancing games with Mindy from the Rock & Roll Arts Academy.  

Are discount tickets available?  Until Friday, tickets are being sold on the CHERUBS Illinois blog at a discount when you use coupon code = CHERUBS.  Just click the drop down menu on the right hand side of this blog to purchase your discounted tickets.  For a very limited time, you can purchase 15 tickets for $10 (with coupon code).  Normal price the day-of the carnival will be $10 for 12 tickets.

Any other way to get more Free tickets?  Yes, check into the CHERUBS Kids Carnival on foursquare and get 2 more FREE tickets (when you spend at least $10 on tickets).  Just show your check-in at the ticket booth to claim your 2 FREE tickets.  Only 2 FREE tickets per family.

Is there an unlimited game pass available? Absolutely.  For $25, you can purchase an unlimited 2 hour game pass.  The pass is valid for 2 hours from time of purchase (or until 1:30 p.m whichever is earlier).  The pass is valid for all carnival games and the bounce house.  Pass is not valid for face painting, tattoos, food, raffle, etc.

How much does everything "cost"?  

• All carnival games will cost 1 ticket
• Bounce house will cost 2 tickets
• Small face paint (arm, cheek, etc.) will cost 1 ticket and a full face paint will cost 3 tickets
• Airbrush tattoo will cost 1 ticket and so will a balloon animal
• KidSnips makeovers will cost 
• 1 ticket for temporary hair color and/or faux mohawk
• 2 tickets for an awesome braid
• 4 tickets for a braided hair wrap with colored string
• Trivia games are FREE (and we have some great pizes to give away)
• Highland Pop popcorn will cost 2 tickets
• Cotton candy will cost 2 tickets
• Vienna hot dog lunch (including soda/water, chips and a pickle) will cost 4 tickets
• Sugar Beez cookies will be 1 ticket and Spunky Dunkers donuts will cost 2 tickets
• Carnival tickets will also be used to participate in the silent raffle for amazing prizes

What kinds of prizes are available in the silent raffle? Too many to list right now...but great stuff from the Chicago Sky, Bulls, Boomers, Wolves, Lynfred Winery, Wildfire, Creative Celebrations, Rock & Roll Academy, Embraced, Fab Band, Sprinkle with Love, The Hungry Monkey, Panera Bread, Noodles & Co., Sports Clips, The Best Salon, Make-a-Messterpiece, and lots more!!  

Anything else? We will also be selling 50/50 Raffle for Research tickets for $20 per ticket.  50% of the sales go towards CDH research and the other 50% of ticket sales go to the winner.  The goal is to sell 1,000 tickets so $10,000 can be donated towards research and the winner will receive the remaining $10,000.  

What forms of payment will be accepted at the carnival?  You can pay for carnival tickets with cash, check (made out to CHERUBS), or credit card.  Please note that 50/50 Raffle for Research tickets can only be purchased with cash or check.  

Will donations be accepted?  Of course!  You can make additional donation checks out to CHERUBS or just tell us to "keep the change" to make an additional donation.  You can also make a donation to CHERUBS or to the Carnival Fund right here on the CHERUBS Illinois blog using your credit card.

See you on Sunday!!