Give thanks and hope this Thanksgiving

Although a distinctly American holiday, Thanksgiving is a holiday that deserves to be adopted the world over because it celebrates among the most important human emotions – gratefulness – with one of the most enjoyable necessities – food!

Under olive trees in America today, we gather with family and friends to count our blessings around tables heavy with food, love and gratitude. Yet with the holidays approaching, it is important that turn our thankfulness into actions to help others who are somehow resilient in their thankfulness despite the need to overcome painful obstacles.

Please take a few moments to learn about a few ways you can make the difference of a lifetime with a few clicks of the mouse and a few warm fluttering of your heart.

FSU grad Lee Theodossiades awaiting bone marrow match in Phoenix

About a month ago, 22 year old Lee (Leandros) Theodossiades was admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix to wage a battle against a very aggressive form of leukemia. A bone marrow match from a donor is his only hope to live. His motto is “faith not fear,” and now we have a chance to show he is right. If you are 18-50, please visit www.bethematch.org BEFORE Monday, NOVEMBER 30th, enter Lee as the promo code, fill out the consent form so that you can receive a swab kit via mail that you can use to help the doctors determine if you are a match to save Lee’s life. The process of bone marrow donation has benefited from medical innovations and is not as invasive as it once was; please consider giving the gift of life this year.

Please call Aubrie Vargas (602-277-1390) with any questions. Donations can also be made via the website or by sending checks to Aubrie Vargas, 2601 N. 3rd St. Ste. 201A Phoenix, AZ 85004

Join Macys’s to give brave little girl an incentive to fight Leukemia

Despite having undergone chemotherapy, two bone marrow transplants, radiation and isolation from her beloved brother and sister in the two years since her diagnosis, six year old Michaella is a wonderfully optimistic, kind little girl who LOVES Christmas more than any other time of year. By voting for her in Macy’s Believe program, you can give her another reason to continue her fight against AML leukemia – a chance to be a part of the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which kicks off the holiday season.

To vote, visit www.macys.com, click on the Believe banner at the bottom of the screen, then the “Tell Us Why You Believe” button on the top right. When you enter Katina22@optonline.net in the search box, Michaella’s story will come up below the search box. With a few clicks you can read more about her and vote for her, as well.

In the spirit of the holiday, thank you for sharing a few moments under the olive tree and for taking a few moments to make a difference. Happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving to you!