Posted by Jim Erhardt on July 13, 2007 at 12:56 PM
As you may know, NPN member and Photo Art gallery moderator Cindy Mead has been struggling with severe health issues since last year. Through all of the treatment she has had to endure, her condition has only worsened. Cindy is now suffering with imparied vision and a slew of other not-so-pleasant sysmptons that has her confined to a wheelchair indoors. She is now undergoing chemo-therapy and radiation, which has placed her in an even more uncomfortable condition.
To add insult to injury, Cindy's health insurance coverage does not cover many of the exhorbinant treatment costs, and mounting medical bills leaves her fighting for her financial life as well. Not too long ago, I had suggested to Cindy that if the burden becomes too great that I was sure the NPN community would help. At the time, her diginity prevented her from accepting the offer.
In a recent phone conversation with her, Cindy was brave enough to finally reach out to us for help. As you can imagine, this was an incredibly difficult thing to do, but something I give her a ton of credit for. My friends, it is time for us to collectively step up - time for those of us with good health and unthreatened finances to reach out and help a friend in need. Upon the return of better health, Cindy will send a print to all of those who help.
Update - How to Help
Donations to help Cindy at this time of need can be made in 3 ways;
1. Directly to her PayPal account at michiganbirder@cmsinter.net
2. If you would prefer to donate anonymously, feel free to send it to editor@naturephotographers.net and we will forward it in confidence.
3. Via check. NPN is serving as a collection point for donations by check. Make checks payable to "Cindy Mead" and send to;
Nature Photographers
Cindy Mead Fund
P.O. Box 1404
Patchogue, NY 11772
USA
Please give generously, and keep Cindy in your prayers.
Cindy and I recently had a very thoughtful telephone conversation, and I can say that she is wonderful and courageous woman. I am glad that she has reached out to all of her friends here at NPN. She truly believes that we are her brothers and sisters.
Jim: For those of us who desire to send cards along with our gift, can you provide Cindy's mailing address (with Cindy's permisssion) either here, or via e-mail. Thanks.
Cindy has been in my prayers since the day all of this began, and I will always pray for her.
Preston, after looking on her website and not seeing an address listed, I'm thinking the best bet is to contact Cindy directly at her email address above to request it.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on July 13, 2007 at 4:43 PM
Jim,
Thanks for this. Cindy and I have had a lot of conversations regarding this offer and I know how she feels about it. It wasn't easy for her to accept it, but I am so glad she did. There is only so much a person can handle, especially in her situation
I have Cindy's mailing address if anyone wants to send her snail mail.
Jim, in addition to helping individually, is there a way for all NPNer's to help collectively as well? Logistically, I don't know how this could work, but could we each donate an image or images for an auction or something, with the proceeds going to Cindy?
Posted by Jim Erhardt on July 14, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Bill, that is certainly a possibility! I am open to all ideas on how we could make it happen...
One idea would be to create a special gallery for members to display photos that are available as prints. The buyer would pay a donation and the member would fulfill the print order. We could handle the fowarding of donations through NPN.
I'd fire up my long-neglected printer for that one Jim.
Elaboration on your thought: So many non-members and general browsers visit NPN, we're talking a larger potential market than the membership. Would it be a good idea to make links to the gallery priminent when they first enter the site?
Posted by Jim Erhardt on July 14, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Hank, more thoughts...
1. We set up the special gallery here on NPN to display prints. We would include instructions on how to submit the donation.
2. Upon receipt of a donation, NPN would forward the order to the member to fulfill, and the donation would be forwarded to Cindy.
3. To reach as large of an audience as possible, I would ask that we form a committee of NPN members to help publicize the event. The committee would post announcements in other forums, contact local photography clubs, etc.
Feel free to add your thoughts and ideas!
Posted by Bill Chambers on July 14, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Jim, the gallery idea sounds great. Perhaps there could be an option where the photographer could list how many copies of any particular image they would be willing to sell (providing some protection for the photographer). I assume there would also have to be some method of posting prices and sizes. I'm lost on all that stuff, but I love your idea (and Hank's idea of making the gallery prominent upon entering the site).
Posted by Jim Erhardt on July 14, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Bill, when a member post a photo for sale, they would list the sizes offered and the minimum donation price per print. When a buyer sends payment via a PayPal link to NPN, they would have to specify which photo/print size they want.
The logistics of the gallery, sales and fulfillment is pretty straight forward - the tough job is publicizing the event, thus my recommendation for a committee to handle that.
I just submitted a donation to help Cindy. Now it's everybody else's turn. I'll put up a 13" x 19" matted/mounted print of my Stilts with crossed bills for a donation. What's that worth? Call it $75.00 bucks + shipping. Cool? Set up the gallery and I'll be the first to submit that print. :)
Count me in! I'd be happy to donate prints. Cindy needs all the help she can get, and SOON! The effects of treatment on her are hideous, but it's the only chance she's got. And the *!*!*!*!*!*! health care system has left her WAY short when it comes to covering the ongoing costs of treatment, rehabilitation, medical supplies and home care.
Let's pitch in everyone who can! Please indicate whether you are willing to donate prints, so we know we can really make this thing happen. We need more responses.
Catherine. I've offered via Jim's email to donate prints for as many requests I get for images in my portfolio. You set the price of the donation and shipping, and I'll throw in the printing costs.
Update - a small group of NPN members has formed to put together a formal donation program, complete with a special "benevolent account" in Cindy's name to accept donations. We plan to place an article online in the next edition with information about Cindy and her plight, and ways people can donate to cover the monumental medical bills that are accumulating. Once this is done, our biggest challenge will be getting the word out and directing people to the article. This must also be done outside of the Internet, so anything our members can do to get this information in front of a large of an audience as possible will be extremely important.
Print sales/auctions will require more planning/administrative effort so they are something we will evaluate once the basic donation program is up and running. We will keep you posted!
As you may of heard, we relocated to Oregon within the past week. Our worldly possessions get here tomorrow and I should be up & running in a few days. I would be happy to donate how ever many prints it takes. Count me in!
JG
I haven't been on NPN for much too long -- just checked in today and saw the bad news about Cindy's plight. She is one great lady, and it breaks my heart to think of her suffering, and struggling to get basic care at the same time. I've sent a donation, and all my thoughts go out to Cindy.
Well you know a couple of forums that will send a link that way Jim, thats not a problem. I'm sure we can all post a link on our sites as well, on the front page. Thats also an option many of us can take. I've already done something in the way of Cindy, but if someone wants any heavy manipulated shots, its not a problem either.
Always loved her shots and art and for her just being her, so count me in on anything you can come up with.
You can currently send donations via PayPal using the email adresses listed in the original post of this thread. By the end of this month, we hope to have an official bank account for this use so donations can be made by check as well.
Just returned from a trip up the Mackenzie River to learn of Cindy's plight. I would be happy to donate a number of images.
Dave Prichard
Posted by Chuck Beatty on August 1, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Count me in, Jim.
Posted by Ken Bachofer on August 1, 2007 at 1:53 PM
Cindy is memorable to me for her helpful and encouraging responses when I was a neophyte at NPN. I will make a donation and I'll be glad to donate prints. Another possibility - I make packs of note cards for environment related donations that bring good prices - please accomodate that kind of item if you do a sale/auction.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on August 4, 2007 at 10:37 AM
Thanks again to all for your offers!
A print auction could be a good way to generate funds. As with all such endeavors, it would take the concerted effort of a group of people to adminstrate, and someone to be in-charge of the event.
If anyone would be interested in "chairing" such an auction - someone who would be willing to oversee and orchastrate the event - please feel free to contact me. I have already written a summary of what I believe would be involved in conducting a successful print auction.
Posted by Ray Dove on September 5, 2007 at 11:46 AM
I've just written a check out to Cindy and will mail to address on Jim's post.We all need to remember to keep Cindy in our prayers also. Ray Dove
Posted by Jim Erhardt on September 5, 2007 at 2:24 PM
Thanks Ray! An envelope of donations went in the mail today to Cindy.
First of all my thoughts are with you Cindy.
Jim I will gladly donate any print's I have @ would also like to donate
some money.
Please advise me as to where @ how.
AVI
My wife and I will also keep Cindy in our prayers and when you get the print auction up I will be glad to donate some prints such as I have. Keep us posted .Get well soon Cindy, J.Lee
Discussion
43 repliesTo add insult to injury, Cindy's health insurance coverage does not cover many of the exhorbinant treatment costs, and mounting medical bills leaves her fighting for her financial life as well. Not too long ago, I had suggested to Cindy that if the burden becomes too great that I was sure the NPN community would help. At the time, her diginity prevented her from accepting the offer.
In a recent phone conversation with her, Cindy was brave enough to finally reach out to us for help. As you can imagine, this was an incredibly difficult thing to do, but something I give her a ton of credit for. My friends, it is time for us to collectively step up - time for those of us with good health and unthreatened finances to reach out and help a friend in need. Upon the return of better health, Cindy will send a print to all of those who help.
Update - How to Help
Donations to help Cindy at this time of need can be made in 3 ways;
1. Directly to her PayPal account at michiganbirder@cmsinter.net
2. If you would prefer to donate anonymously, feel free to send it to editor@naturephotographers.net and we will forward it in confidence.
3. Via check. NPN is serving as a collection point for donations by check. Make checks payable to "Cindy Mead" and send to;
Nature Photographers
Cindy Mead Fund
P.O. Box 1404
Patchogue, NY 11772
USA
Please give generously, and keep Cindy in your prayers.
Cindy and I recently had a very thoughtful telephone conversation, and I can say that she is wonderful and courageous woman. I am glad that she has reached out to all of her friends here at NPN. She truly believes that we are her brothers and sisters.
Jim: For those of us who desire to send cards along with our gift, can you provide Cindy's mailing address (with Cindy's permisssion) either here, or via e-mail. Thanks.
Cindy has been in my prayers since the day all of this began, and I will always pray for her.
Kind regards,
-PB
Thanks for this. Cindy and I have had a lot of conversations regarding this offer and I know how she feels about it. It wasn't easy for her to accept it, but I am so glad she did. There is only so much a person can handle, especially in her situation
I have Cindy's mailing address if anyone wants to send her snail mail.
Hey you, get back soon
Danny.
One idea would be to create a special gallery for members to display photos that are available as prints. The buyer would pay a donation and the member would fulfill the print order. We could handle the fowarding of donations through NPN.
Elaboration on your thought: So many non-members and general browsers visit NPN, we're talking a larger potential market than the membership. Would it be a good idea to make links to the gallery priminent when they first enter the site?
1. We set up the special gallery here on NPN to display prints. We would include instructions on how to submit the donation.
2. Upon receipt of a donation, NPN would forward the order to the member to fulfill, and the donation would be forwarded to Cindy.
3. To reach as large of an audience as possible, I would ask that we form a committee of NPN members to help publicize the event. The committee would post announcements in other forums, contact local photography clubs, etc.
Feel free to add your thoughts and ideas!
The logistics of the gallery, sales and fulfillment is pretty straight forward - the tough job is publicizing the event, thus my recommendation for a committee to handle that.
I have tried the link michiganbirder@cmsinter.net and it doesn't work. At least my browser says can't find it. Can you post the correct link?
Thanks,
Ed
Thanks!
Let's pitch in everyone who can! Please indicate whether you are willing to donate prints, so we know we can really make this thing happen. We need more responses.
Print sales/auctions will require more planning/administrative effort so they are something we will evaluate once the basic donation program is up and running. We will keep you posted!
As you may of heard, we relocated to Oregon within the past week. Our worldly possessions get here tomorrow and I should be up & running in a few days. I would be happy to donate how ever many prints it takes. Count me in!
JG
I haven't been on NPN for much too long -- just checked in today and saw the bad news about Cindy's plight. She is one great lady, and it breaks my heart to think of her suffering, and struggling to get basic care at the same time. I've sent a donation, and all my thoughts go out to Cindy.
Best, Tom
Always loved her shots and art and for her just being her, so count me in on anything you can come up with.
Danny.
You can currently send donations via PayPal using the email adresses listed in the original post of this thread. By the end of this month, we hope to have an official bank account for this use so donations can be made by check as well.
Thanks to all for your help with this!
meint
Dave Prichard
A print auction could be a good way to generate funds. As with all such endeavors, it would take the concerted effort of a group of people to adminstrate, and someone to be in-charge of the event.
If anyone would be interested in "chairing" such an auction - someone who would be willing to oversee and orchastrate the event - please feel free to contact me. I have already written a summary of what I believe would be involved in conducting a successful print auction.
Jim I will gladly donate any print's I have @ would also like to donate
some money.
Please advise me as to where @ how.
AVI