Annual Christmas Charity and more great news

Hi Everyone,
Happy Holidays! I hope that this email finds everyone Happy and Healthy. I know I missed sending out last years Annual Christmas Charity, but I hope that you'll still consider donating to any charity this year. It's been a tough year for some of us, with loss of loved ones, and friends and family falling ill. My heart goes out to those of you. I think that this year has truly reminded us of what is important in life. We've been fortunate and lucky to have each and everyone of you to be part of our lives and am grateful for all the support you've given us. Thank you.

We started this Annual Christmas Charity 5 years ago (2000) and I am proud to say that we've manage to raise close to $6000 to different charities such as the Center for Pacific Asian Family, Great Leap, Garret Miho Foundation to name a few. Thank you for making a difference. For those of you who do not remember how this Christmas Charity works, basically instead of running around trying to find gifts for each other, we pull our money together to donate to any charity and support those who are truly in need. You can donate to any charity of your choosing individually or send me a check to pool our money to give to a charity. Rule number one, no gifts for each other. The giving is the gift.

This year, I want would like to donate to MD Anderson Cancer Center in honor of Beth Dipardo and the House Ear Institute in honor of Kevin Kuida. Beth is Jen's close friend that lives in Texas. She was diagnosed with Brain Cancer late last year and was receiving treatments there. This is her 2nd time with brain cancer - she managed to beat it last time in high school, about 12 years ago. Unfortunately her outlook isn't so well. I hope that you'll keep her and her family in your thoughts to give her the strength to find peace. As most of you know, Kevin has been diagnosed with profound hearing loss in both ears. We were saddened with the news, but thanks to the House Ear Institute, we remain hopeful that the Cochlear Implant will be effective and give him some hearing. We will be scheduling his surgery sometime in January.

MD. Anderson Cancer Center (http://www.mdanderson.org/):
"At M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, our mission is simple - to eliminate cancer. Achieving that goal begins with integrated programs in cancer treatment, clinical trials, education programs and cancer prevention.

To us, people are more than just their cancer symptoms. Compassion - along with innovative cancer treatment, cutting-edge cancer research, comprehensive education and research-based prevention of both common and rare cancers - has earned the gratitude of countless adult and pediatric cancer patients and their families. M. D. Anderson: life-saving, life-changing care, since 1941."

The House Ear Institute (http://www.hei.org/)
"Hearing loss affects over 30 million Americans. One of every 10 people is affected to some degree. Despite this magnitude, hearing studies attract less than 1% of the dollars spent on medical research. The emotional pain is often devastating.

Our work is supported by gifts and grants from people who share our concern for hearing health. Contributions support almost 50% of the Institute's annual budget. This philanthropy enables us to advance our hearing science research endeavors and educational and outreach programs, which benefit millions of people around the world who have hearing loss and related disorders."

If your interested in joining in contact me. ;-)

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Also Great news, we finally able to schedule Kevin's Cochlear Implant Surgery. January 23! yahh!!