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Dear Friends and Family:
I need your help…..let me explain. It's not a short story, but an important one.
As most of you know, I have Usher syndrome which is an inherited disease that causes loss of sight and hearing..…both are progressive which can lead to total blindness and deafness.
I’ve addressed the deafness by getting bilateral cochlear implants which have allowed me back into the hearing world. My vision, however, is getting worse and the disease is now attacking my only remaining vision, my central vision.
Joe and I are supporting the Foundation Fighting Blindness, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to find preventions, treatments and cures for all retinal degenerative diseases. I am confident with proper funding, FFB will find a cure.
Their research is not only important to me but to many others who are affected and their families. Retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, macular degeneration, and ALL retinal diseases benefit from FFB's work. Human clinical trials are happening now, and we're hoping for a breakthrough sooner than later.
I always thought the Foundation Fighting Blindness should have their own logo pin to promote awareness and to raise funds for research. I knew people would not wear an eyeball pin so what could it be??? My creativity finally kicked in and I thought…..why not a BEE pin for FFB? The search began for the perfect FFBee pin and it was discovered with the help of a jewelry supplier I used when I had my own jewelry wholesale business 10 years ago.
Let me explain why I feel our FFBee is perfect to create the buzz we need to raise funds. The colors are significant to me:
BLACK represents the darkness of being blind...
GOLD is the brightness of sight…
SPARKLE on the wings reminds me that the bee should not be able to fly because the undersized wings should not be able to carry the weight and size of its body. BUT, it does fly, and we will, too...
GREEN eyes will hopefully bring the "green" we need as in $$$ to fund research and find a cure.
I have been wearing my bee pin since the beginning of the year.....anywhere and everywhere from my visor to my sandal, on my sleeve, front pocket of my shorts, back pocket of jeans, purse and it's truly creating a buzz.
Now, I realize that not everyone likes bees because they do sting. Well, Usher’s has been the stinger in my life and I am ready to make this bee a "worker bee" so that she can become my "honey bee" for finding a cure and treatment for all retinal degenerative diseases. SO, here's my plea…..will you BEE my friend? I want to send anyone and everyone a pin who will send a donation to FFB.
Some ask how much is the bee? My response is the bee is "not for sale," but the donated amounts have been $25, $50, $100 and even more. It all adds up and we are thrilled that our bee friends have been building their own hives and busy creating that buzz.
We will need your mailing address and a pin will be sent to you with a tax deductible letter and our sincere thanks. We have provided an order form for your convenience. Just send a check made payable to the Foundation Fighting Blindness and mail to:
Foundation Fighting Blindness
Attn: FFBee Pin
3032 E. Commercial Blvd., 107
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308
In the memo field of your check please write the name of the person who sent you my letter.
If you request a bee pin for yourself, perhaps you can forward my letter to your email pals…..I would BEE forever grateful to you if you wear my BEE pin, told my story and together let's create the buzz to raise funds.
With your help, there's a cure in sight. BEE thankful for your sight, and I'll BEE thankful for your friendship and support.
BEE yours forever,
Judy
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