Charity?! Sign me up!

Almost a year ago I created and posted about a situation that hit very close to home and how wonderful and unexpected Susan G. Komen was to help out my family.  I became an immediate supporter of the organization as they came to help out a young girl (my cousin) in a time of worry and then took care of EVERYTHING.
I don't usually give to charity.  I make a large detour when I hear the chiming Santa's at Christmas, I ignore transients or ask THEM for money in return (That'll come back to bite me in the ass one of these days, I'm sure haha).... and I don't donate to research or Ronald McDonald.  I don't even like helping out when kids are going door to door fundraising (for the simple fact that the companies are using the poor little kids to do their selling and offering them nothing in return). However, when I see an organization, so selflessly helping others, especially children, I change my stubborn, hard headed views.  That brings me to the Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Phoenix children's Hospital http://www.phoenixchildrens.com/?gclid=CIuR3byKvqoCFQgLbAodqlzUDA.  I don't share everything on my blog posts but today I'm going to tell you a little story.  I have 3 beautiful sisters.  I am the oldest (by far), therefore, was fortunate enough to be there through many stages of their growing up.

The oldest of the 3, at age 14, was having some issues. She would get headaches all the time, wouldn't feel well, and the doctors didn't know what was wrong.  Eventually, they found out that she had excess fluid in her skull, surrounding the brain and causing too much pressure.  My little sister had to go in for brain surgery.
Now, the way that we are in my family is to deal with things as they happen and not worry about things that can't be changed.  That being said, details were kept minimal as she was so young and fragile,.... there is no reason for any added stress.  My sister went in for her surgery and our family went to show love and support.
That brings us to September of 2003 when the surgery took place. Immediately, as we entered the hallway of the hospital, there was a giant, wall sized tower with ramps and shoots and slides, encapsulated inside of 2 Plexiglas/see through plastic, type walls.  It had a ball that would drop from the top and roll through the maze and shoots and slides until it got to the bottom and started all over again.  Like a gigantic Mouse Trap!!! I LOVED that game!

Needless to say, something so simple was able to capture my attention and bring a smile to my face.... imagine how it must help all the worried children that come through that door on a daily basis.  The inside of the building is brightly colored and there was no heavy, ominous, suffocating air.  It did not feel like any of the hospitals that I'd ever had to visit.  My sister, was also extremely calm and upbeat about the whole experience.  There was happy, brightly colored art everywhere and signs showing who donated the piece or donated money to be able to get such docorations.  Little pieces of help go such a long way in this case.

The surgery was completed in a short amount of time, time in which our family took advantage of the large soft benches in the waiting room, rather than worrying in uncomfortable, hard chairs in an equally uncomfortable tile room.  A stint, (reservoir), was placed under the skin on the top of her head to slow the eventual build up of more fluid.  She came home a groggy and sore, yet happy little ladybug.  It was a tremendously positive experience.  Everyone was very nice and at no time did I hear any uncomfortable sobs or shrieks from sick children.
That being said, I am a HUGE fan of children's hospitals now.  I believe that Phoenix MUST go above and beyond and if not, then I praise ALL of the other children's hospitals that I have yet to visit.
Now, for the point of that long story----
On September 10th, I, along with many great artists, including Zenescopes Mike DeBalfo, Raven Gregory, Tony Parker and ladies in Cosplay, will be joining together at Pop Culture Paradise in Tempe, AZ to raise money for the Phoenix Childrens Hospital.  Please join me and the company that is organizing this charity event from 1pm-5pm and get original art and photo ops with myself and the other ladies.http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=196336227094749&notif_t=event_photo_change

With our help, we can keep children happy, as they should be, and more comfortable when life throws scary, adult situations their way.  Thank you for taking the time to read my story.  My sister has since had 1 follow up surgery, in 2007, in which they were able to find the cause of the build up, because of documentation they were able to compare to when she went to Phoenix Childrens.  Unfortunately it isn't something that we can prevent at this time but she remains the beautiful, happy, goofy girl she's always been.  I love her, and all of my siblings to a degree that only siblings can understand.  <3