By Jessica Fitzpatrick | Manager, Marketing & Outreach
Make your gift any day in December and SAP Canada will match it dollar for dollar up to $50,000!
HOLIDAY APPEAL 2012
Dear Friend,
Emily has been a part of the AboutFace family since her birth. Now that she has grown into this beautiful, confident woman we’re proud to profile her story with you during our annual holiday appeal. We also hope it will inspire others, both young and old.
As someone who has endured so much in my life, I realize now how important it is to share my story with others, so that I may give them hope for the future. It is really hard to tell someone, “everything will turn out fine”, without them seeing proof of it for themselves.
I am proof. Ten years ago, I never thought I would be where I am today. Like most teenagers, facial difference or not, I didn’t think that someone could ever love me just the way I am. That’s because I was born with the largest birthmark I have seen on anyone to this date; it covers the lower half of my face, goes down to my chest and also covers a large portion of my head. My birthmark is the result of a collection of swollen capillaries that cause a reddish-purple discolouration – more commonly known as a Port Wine Stain.
On August 25, 2012, I married the love of my life, Wyatt. He loves me for who I am, birthmark and all. He even came to a few laser treatments with me, and asked the doctor to try the laser on his arm so he could understand what it felt like and what I was going through. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is!
Let our story serve as hope! Even if you feel like no one will ever love you, like I have on numerous occasions, rest assured that people do love you no matter what you look like, because it really is what’s inside that counts! - Emily
We take great pride in getting to know our kids and being there when they need us most. Just like their parents, AboutFace is ready to make an investment over a child’s lifetime. But we cannot do this without your support!
For the most part, everything we offer is free to our clients and their families; however, in order to maintain these supportive services we require donations from individuals like you.
Your contribution has a direct impact on the lives of so many that turn to us each and every day for support.
If it were not for AboutFace giving my parents the support and tools they needed, I don’t think they would have been able to give me the well adjusted childhood I had. - Emily
You can help support parents too!
$30 provides resources like the ‘Facing it Together’ interactive DVD and workbook program to help parents address the top five challenges of raising a child with a facial difference.
$60 offers emotional support by phone or in person. Plus access to our free monthly group support calls where parents can share experiences and learn coping strategies with and from others.
I started laser treatment for my birthmark when I was in Grade 3. I remember my mother coming into my classroom afterwards and explaining to the other children what my birthmark was, and why it looked different after treatment. - Emily
You can help raise awareness.
$120 ensures one in-school presentation to help children understand facial differences and encourage acceptance.
Having a massive birthmark on your face welcomes all sorts of comments. I used to dread the days after Halloween because kids would say “Halloween is over, you can take off your makeup!” and laugh with their friends. - Emily
You can help kids with facial differences overcome taunting and bullying.
$180 provides meals for one child at Camp Trailblazers.
$250 pays for the accommodation of one child at Camp Trailblazers.
$1,000 covers the full cost of hosting one child at Camp Trailblazers in their province.
Each year, we empower our kids through Camp Trailblazers. More importantly, this life changing experience brings these kids out of isolation, connects them with other affected individuals and empowers them to reach their full potential.
AboutFace receives no government funding. We are not a United Way member agency. We rely exclusively on the support of individuals, corporations, foundations and proceeds from our special events.
We need your support now more than ever. Please give as generously as you can!
With deep appreciation,
Anna Pileggi
Executive Director
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
