fundraising.

in honor of the memory of eric w. shaffer, who passed away last friday at just 25 from acute lymphocytic leukemia, i'm asking your support for two charities selected by his wife, amanda, who was contributing editor for health + wellness at blogher. it's impossible for me to understand what she must be going through, but this is my way of trying to help in some small way.

the first is free care friends at the children’s hospital of pittsburgh which provides care to patients and their families regardless of ability to pay. to ensure this mission is met year after year, children’s hospital established this free care fund.

the other charity is clearwater conservancy, a land trust and natural resource conservation organization formed to promote conservation and restoration of natural resources. through land conservation, water resource protection and environmental outreach to the community, this organization works to protect natural beauty and the environment in the heart of pennsylvania.

amanda has also encouraged us to write to congress and urge them to oppose the president's proposed budget cuts in funding for cancer research and programs. i agree, as i just found out that my cousin, age 33, was diagnosed on thursday with lymphoma and my another family member has brain cancer.

note: the firstgiving site works better in safari than in firefox.

photo credit: clearwater conservancy.