Take Steps, Be Heard for Crohn's and Colitis

Today's the day, so let's jump right in--

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Four decades ago, CCFA created the field of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis research. Today, the Foundation funds cutting-edge studies at major medical institutions, nurtures investigators at the early stages of their careers, and finances underdeveloped areas of research. The National Institutes of Health has commended the Foundation for "uniting the research community and strengthening IBD research."

My mother was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in the 1970s, when little was known about the disease, and even less about how to treat it. Today, she continues her daily battle with Crohn's. In her honor, my family and I are participating in the Baltimore "Take Steps, Be Heard" walk on June 9, 2012 to support the CCFA.

My personal goal is to raise $500, and that's where you generous knitters, crocheters, spinners, and dyers come in. To make it just a little easier to part with your hard earned cash, I'll be running a fundraiser for the CCFA here on Learner's Per-knit through April 30. Make a donation, and you could win a prize!

To participate, please visit my personal fundraising page here. It's also here. And here. For every $5 you donate, you'll be entered to win a prize. $5 = 1 entry, $25 = 5 entries, $50 = 10 entries. Bigger donations = more chances to win!

You can also earn an extra entry by sharing your donation with the world (or at least the Internet). After you donate, spread the word about it on Facebook, Twitter, your personal blog, or another knitting-related social networking site (being careful not to violate any group rules about advertising, of course)--make sure you share the link to my donation page!--and then send me (mediaperuana@gmail.com) the evidence (a link to your post, a screenshot of your Facebook page, etc). I'll toss your name in the hat an extra time.

And what exactly is it you could win? Any one of these amazing goodies:

(Many, many thanks to the generous crafters--Betty, Cathy, Ann, and some anonymous donors--who provided some of these prizes!!)

Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! in Oleander Nymph:

100g handspun laceweight baby alpaca from the Awana Kancha cooperative in Peru:

Sweet Georgia Merino + Silk fiber in Autumn Flame

Knitting Lingerie Style, by Joan McGowan-Michael

Custom Crocheted Sweaters, by Dora Ohrenstein

Digital downloads of my Warblers and 17th Street patterns

Digital download of any single pattern available on Ravelry

A yarn grab bag (10 balls/skeins of various mystery yarn!)

The Shetland Trader - Book 1, by Gudrun Johnston, digital copy:

And, if we reach my $500 goal, I'll add an extra special secret prize!

A few reminders:

DON'T donate anonymously--I can't give you a prize if I don't know who you are!

DON'T forget to come back on May 1 to see if you've won a prize! You've gotta claim it to win it.
DON'T hesitate to share information about this fundraiser with all your fiber-loving friends

DO or DO NOT, there is no try.