I would love your help

Around the same time as this year’s National Kidney Foundation of Michigan Walk, May 6 in Lansing, Michigan I will turn 42. I was 36 when I lost the use of my kidneys and what do you know - I’m still here. Yahoo! Please join me in celebrating life at this year’s Kidney Walk.

Because of a new hemodialysis system called Nx Stage System One, I am feeling better than I have in years. Each day I’m getting a bit stronger and finding aspects of my life which I thought were gone forever. Two years ago a friend pushed me in a wheelchair at the walk since I was recovering from my second failed kidney transplant. This year I’m training in order to run the walk.

Please help me celebrate my forty-second birthday and the additional six years that I’ve had by joining me at the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan’s Mid-Michigan Walk. I have set a fund raising goal of $7,000.00 and will need your help again to meet it. If we meet this goal we will have raised $37,000.00 in six years!

I’m hoping each team member will raise at least $100.00, but of course any donation will be gratefully accepted. If you are planning to attend my celebration let me know and I will take care of the registration for you.

If you can’t make it, I sure would be honored if you would support The Riverdudes by making a donation at my http://www.firstgiving.com/riverdudes07 or by mailing a check made out to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan to me. If you want to send me a check, just let me know and I’ll email you my address.

I once again thank you with all my heart for your generous support. Erich

I’m in Erich. I hope you exceed your goal.

Thank you, Bill.

Your D.C. trip thread has inspired me to thank Congressman Camp and get on the horn to Congressman Rogers and Senators Levin and Stabenow. Thank you for your kindness and all the good work you do on behalf of our community. Erich

Erich:
I think this is great! I coordinate a walk team for our local NKF Kidney Walk and hope to raise a mere $500 myself.

Good luck to you and your ‘riverdude’ mates.

-renal1
In the renal industry for 12 years

Thank you everyone for your terrific response to my request for help with the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan fundraising team, The Riverdudes. You are now officially Riverdudes. Pretty cool, he he?

Also, thanks to Gus I now have a Paypal account. Watchout Ebay, here I come.

If you didn’t get a chance to make a donation and you still want to, please visit http://www.firstgiving.com/riverdudes07. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

Once again, thank you for your kindness and generosity. Peace, Erich

[FONT=arial black][FONT=comic sans ms]“Dialyze for the Prize”
http://360.yahoo.com/the_riverdude[/FONT][/FONT]

Erich:
I had an ‘issue’ with my credit card, so am hoping this donation goes through. I also had a chance to read the note from your son. Last year, my 5-year-old son and I walked together in our local NKF walk. It was so special, so I can definitely relate to your pride and love.

Good luck,
renal1

[quote=Unregistered;12952]Erich:
I had an ‘issue’ with my credit card, so am hoping this donation goes through. I also had a chance to read the note from your son. Last year, my 5-year-old son and I walked together in our local NKF walk. It was so special, so I can definitely relate to your pride and love.

Good luck,
renal1[/quote]

It did go through. Thank you very much. I hope you and your son get to the walk this year. Thanks again. I do appreciate your kindness and generosity. Erich

When I went to dialyze the other day I found the following note on the table by my dialysis chair. It was written by my seven year old son, Jacob.

Dera Dad,
I wish you did not do dialesis.
You are a good dad.
I hop you have a good time with theis.
From Jacob

(next to the letter was a Hostess Ding Dong, and button from the East Lansing Children’s Film Festival that we attended together)

The letter continues. . .

I love you more than anebody in the holl wrld and av kors Mom and Nia.

That is why I dialyze when I don’t want to.

[SIZE=4][COLOR=red]Thanks to everyone’s generosity we’ve raised $1,500 so far. [/COLOR][/SIZE]

If you haven’t given yet and would like to please visit: http://www.firstgiving.com/riverdudes07
and help us reach our [COLOR=magenta]$7,000 goal.[/COLOR]

Thank you. Erich

Why to go Riverdudes Team! We are up to $3,025.00 for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan! Almost half way there.

To pledge go to: http://www.firstgiving.com/riverdudes07

Mission of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]The mission of the National Kidney Foundation of [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Michigan is to prevent kidney disease and improve the quality of life for those living with it.[/FONT][B]Guiding Principles

[/B]Striving to prevent chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its leading causes; diabetes and hypertension.
Pursuing funding in support of our mission
Advocating for people living with and at risk of CKD
Promoting quality of care for people with CKD, diabetes and hypertension
Educating the public about CKD, diabetes, hypertension and obesity
Promoting organ and tissue donation
Support research of CKD [SIZE=3]Vision Statement
[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]“Making Lives Better” [/SIZE][/FONT]

In my exuberance I launched the previous message with the word Why instead of Way. I know we are rightly concerned with good grammer so please excuse my goof. It appears I don’t have editing priviledges.

Way to go Riverdude National Kidney Foundation of Michigan Team!

[FONT=comic sans ms][SIZE=3][FONT=comic sans ms][SIZE=4]http://www.firstgiving.com/riverdudes07[/SIZE][/FONT]

With 13 days until the 2007 National Kidney Foundation of Michigan Potter Park Zoo Walk, the Riverdudes Team has raised $6,125.00! That is 88% of their 2007 goal!

"It has really been a team effort this year, stated Erich Ditschman, team captain. “Many of our members have used a Firstgiving Web page (http://www.firstgiving.com/process/teamarea/default.asp?did=85&teamid=17349) to really boost their fundraising.”

“I am very grateful to all my friends and family members who have given so generously this year and in years past,” Ditschman said, “I’m truly blessed to have such a support network.”

Ditschman went on to say, “If we can keep this pace in the final two weeks we will meet our goal which will mean that the Riverdudes and our supporters will have raised over $39,000 for the NKFM since 2001!.”

“Please visit [FONT=comic sans ms][SIZE=4]http://www.firstgiving.com/riverdudes07 if you haven’t had a chance to help us meet this year’s goal,” the Captain was quick to mention, “your help is needed and genuinely appreciated. We can also still use more walkers to join in the festivities.”[/SIZE][/FONT]

Finally, Erich was happy to note that he was highlighted in the first issue of the DaVita @ Home Newsletter. Visit [SIZE=1]http://davitaathome.createsend.com/viewEmail.aspx?cID=058528041814D75D&sID=946C446827A95CBA&dID=5CB9CB5A1CE688CE[/SIZE]
and scroll midway down.

Thank you and have a great day!

Erich
http://www.firstgiving.com/riverdudes07
[/SIZE][/FONT]

Congratulations, National Kidney Foundation of Michigan Riverdude Team we’ve exceeded our goal by $1,000. This year, together, we have raised $8,000!

Over the last 6 years we have raised over $40,000 to help prevent kidney disease and assist those who have the disease lead better more fulfilling lives.

Thank you all who have helped so very much. Erich

www.firstgiving.com/riverdudes07

[quote=TheRiverdude;13461]Congratulations, National Kidney Foundation of Michigan Riverdude Team we’ve exceeded our goal by $1,000. This year, together, we have raised $8,000!

We had twenty-seven [COLOR=darkgreen]Riverdude Team members join us on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for a stroll through the zoo.[/COLOR]

By the end of the Walk we had raised [COLOR=black]$8,500![/COLOR]

Thanks again to all who helped make this possible. Erich

[quote=TheRiverdude;13513][quote=TheRiverdude;13461]
By the end of the Walk we had raised $8,500![/quote]

You raised $500 during the walk?? I guess the kangaroos must have deep pockets.

Great job Erich, congratulations.

[quote=Bill Peckham;13517][quote=TheRiverdude;13513]

You raised $500 during the walk?? I guess the kangaroos must have deep pockets.

Great job Erich, congratulations.[/quote]

Yeah, I shook them done for all they were worth. But it was the penguins who really had a stash. It was a bit chilly retreiving it though. Erich