Hope this is okay to post here, seemed the most appropriate off topic thread to do so.
For those who don't know, I was away from the boards and collecting in general for a few years because I was diagnosed with AIDS. Something I'm very open about and don't mind sharing as it's been a journey, but one in which I've been able to help other people by being open and honest. Five years ago, I got very sick and was given only 6 months to live in which I went through some hard times and had to sell everything. Since then I've overcame many hurdles and my health has improved and I'm still here today. Several of you were aware of all this, but many might not know that I also host a big HIV/AIDS fundraiser in my community of Salem, Oregon for the past eight years. We've given away nearly $100,000 to area charities from summer camps to kids living with HIV, hospices, prevention programs and assistance groups in rural areas in Oregon.
This weekend I will be producing my 8th and final HIV/AIDS fundraiser for the community in which I hope to bring in $30,000 for our benefiting charities (Oregon AIDS Memorial and HIV Alliance). We are already at nearly $25,000 raised and was just given a matching donation of up to $500 if raised in the next few days through our online donation site. I know I don't know a lot of you yet because of my absence, but some of you go back to when I began collecting over 10 years ago. If you have some cash to spare..even $10 or $20, your donation will go to the building of the Memorial for the 5,000+ people who have passed away in Oregon, and will serve 500+ Oregonians living with HIV/AIDS. If you'd like to donate, please visit the link here:
http://www.tinyurl.com/redribbon2015. Many thanks in advance!