fundraiser4miriam

Miriam Home After Stem Cell Transplant

2009-11-30T09:05:00.001-08:00

From Miriam's Mother, Silvia Commisso:

Miriam was released from the hospital this past Saturday. She is extremely exhausted. Needs to rest a lot and get back on a regular diet as she wasn't able to eat for the past 3 weeks (only liquids). I'll let her know that you asked about her. I am sure she'll be in touch once she feels a little better. Thank you for your concern and thoughts.

If you would like to send a card--

11410 Missouri Ave #4
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Thank you--

Erin

Quick Miriam Update

2009-11-06T17:42:00.000-08:00

Hi There

Quick Update!

Miriam was unable to check into the hospital last week due to an ear infection. She is going in this Monday the 9th. She wanted me to let people know that the first week while she is undergoing chemo she will be able to accept visitors, but after the first week you may want to call the office # below before stopping by to make sure she is able to accept visitors.

Also, the zip code is 90025-------Just to update everyone on the address below.

Also she can't accept real flowers only silk ones because of her condition.

Thanks!!!!

Erin

Miriam Commisso Update

2009-11-03T12:42:00.001-08:00

Hi There Friends and Family of Miriam--

I just wanted to write a quick update. Miriam goes in for her stem cell transplant tomorrow, and is expected to be in the hospital for almost a month. She is allowed to have visitors 24/7 and can receive cards and gifts. Here is the address:

Ronald Reagan Hospital
UCLA
6th Floor East
757 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90025

(310) 825-8611 (Floor office)

Thank you for everything you all did for the party, here are some fun pictures, below!

:) Erin

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

2009-08-17T09:52:00.001-07:00

Thank you to everyone who came out for the fundraiser--and who donated and helped out. We raised about $4,000 for Miriam's medical treatment. Awesome! We are still accepting donations via the paypal button to the right. I am also pleased to announce that Laurie Synder has organized a Spin A Thon fundraiser for Miriam, information is below!

Hi all,

We are having a Spin a Thon fundraiser for Miriam on Sept 12^th from 3pm to 5pm at Equinox Santa Monica!

If you know anyone who cycles or spins, please pass this on to them! And ask them to pass on to their friends also!

Non members are welcome to participate.

We would LOVE to fill all 40 bikes which would bring in $2000!

Thanks!

Laurie (Laurie@flaphappy.com)

Important Donation Information !!!

2009-08-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Family of Miriam:

With the sudden diagnosis of Miriam's condition we did not have the time to set up a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. Now, with the generous help of the Blair Beinhaker Friendship Foundation, we are able to accept tax-deductible donations in Miriam Commisso's name. This is beneficial because:
* You will be able to take the donation off of your taxes
* Miriam will not be taxed on your gifts
* The Blair Beinhaker Friendship Foundation will pay Miriam's medical bills with 100% of your donation.

The Blair Beinhaker Friendship Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501© 3 organization based out of Morristown, New Jersey. The web site can be viewed here http://www.blairbeinhaker.org/default.php

Please send all donations to:
The Blair Beinhaker Friendship Foundation
20 South Street
Morristown, NJ 07960

Checks can be made payable to: Blair Beinhaker Friendship Foundation, Please make sure you mark on the check or note that it is for MIRIAM COMMISSO

As you will notice, the PalPal button now goes to donations in Miriam's name at the Blair Beinhaker Friendship Foundation! Don't worry, all donations via this site via paypal are automatically marked with her name.

Thank you for your care and support!

Erin

DJ Satisfaction Pony with Special Guest Stephin Merritt

2009-08-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Family of Miriam,

With the fundraiser less than a week away, I am excited to announce that we have got some fantastic DJ's for our Tea Party. DJ Satisfaction Pony, is not only a friend, but a wiseguy with an ear for getting a party going. Stephin Merritt, of The Magnetic Fields and the musical Coraline will also be Dj'ing. Cool huh? The generosity of heart and spirit just keeps on flowing!

Please feel free to send the invite or this web site to friends. We have so many cool items to auction there is something for everyone!

Sincerely,

Erin & the FUNdraiser Team :)

Tea Party for Miriam only one week away!

2009-08-07T15:38:00.001-07:00

Hello there friends and family of Miriam,

Here at the FUNdraising team, things have been extremely busy as we collect, connect, and communicate with all of the fantastic people out there who have sent well-wishes, donations, and responded with such care and comfort. I believe we will make a significant amount of money to defray Miriam's medical costs. I have been touched by Miriam's friends, and the friends of friends, and those with huge hearts who have never even met her who have been so generous. In the pain and sorrow of a cancer diagnosis can rise a wave of kindness, beauty, and love that is truly amazing to witness.

Since the party is just around the corner, please invite your friends to the fundraiser. There are going to be amazing gifts and donations that will make great special treats for yourself, gifts for friends, or family. Also, the party is the the week before Miriam starts chemotherapy, so it is a great opportunity for support, give her a hug, and celebrate life.

Sincerely,

Erin and The FUNdraiser Team

A FUNDRAISER Tea Party with Silent Auction and RAFFLE!
Check the blog at http://fundraiser4miriam.blogspot.com/
for amazing items!
4- 7 pm
Saturday August 15th
The Snyder Home
726 10th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(1st House North of Montana)
Garden Attire

Greetings from the FUNdraiser Team!

2009-08-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Family of Miriam,

I am pleased to report that Miriam has successfully gone through her fertility process and has arrived back home from the hospital after having her eggs harvested and frozen for posterity. She has been incredibly brave throughout the entire procedure, which involved injecting herself with a combo of up to three fertility drugs each night. She did it with a sense of humor and hope--as anyone who knows Mir can imagine!

We are gearing up for the fundraiser and I would like to thank everyone for their generosity and support. We are starting a "wall of cards" made out of all of the greetings we have received by mail. After it is filled up I will post a picture! Otherwise, I am sad to say the hard part has not even yet begun, with chemo and the stem cell transplant in her future, Miriam can use all the support she can get. We receive word every day about amazing donations via PayPal, fantastic gifts (thank you to Jack Johnson and Brushfire Records, and a special shout out to Stephanie for putting together an amazing package to La Jolla, among other things!) Please help spread the word about our upcoming Tea Party Silent Auction for Miriam!

We continue to receive the blessings of people with big hearts from around the globe. Remember you are free to post your thoughts, anecdotes and prayers here by clicking the "Comments" button below this post. As I write this, I am a bit teary eyed about the amount of support and love Miriam has received.

With Love and Light,

Erin (One of the FUNdraiser Team)

Putting the FUN in FUNdraiser

2009-07-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Family of Miriam:
I wanted to thank all of the individuals and business who have donated items and money for our fundraiser August 15 (information below). It will be a fantastic Tea Party with delicious Zhena's Gypsy Teas ( http://www.gypsytea.com/) Music by nationally renowned DJ Satisfaction Pony, Liquor donation by Cuca Fresca, a Brazilian Rum (http://www.cucafrescaspirit.com/), tea sandwiches and wine (we are still looking for a wine sponsor, so if you'd like to donate some white, give us a holler). We are getting some great items for the silent auction
jewelry, gift certificates, spa services, photographic prints, clothing, t-shirts, getaways to San Diego, therapy sessions, and the list keeps growing! Check back here for more information, as new items are added.
Thank you to everyone for their help, energy, love and generosity!

ALSO, Designs by Bari jewelry has offered to donate $10 for every necklace sold, and $5 for every ring. Go to www.designsbybari.com and pick out something special for yourself or someone in your life! Use the code MIRIAM to get 10% off and she will donate to our cause.
To see some of the GORGEOUS items, look at the sponsorship slideshow to the right---the pictures of rings and necklaces are items available on her site. Thanks, Bari!

Gearing up for the Fundraiser August 15!

2009-07-27T22:52:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and family of Miriam:

Hopefully you have heard about our upcoming fundraiser! You should be getting an invite via Facebook, Email or Evite soon. But just in case, here it is:

We are continuing to raise money through our palpal button to the right. Thank you to everyone who has donated. Please sign up for this site, and I will be updating everyone on the awesome items that will be raffled/auctioned off at the party below.

Thank you!

A FUNDRAISER Tea Party with Silent Auction and RAFFLE!
Check the blog at http://fundraiser4miriam.blogspot.com/
for amazing items!
4- 7 pm
Saturday August 15th
The Snyder Home
726 10th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(1st House North of Montana)
Garden Attire

MIRIAM COMMISSO FUNDRAISER FAQ :)

2009-07-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

MIRIAM COMMISSO FUNDRAISER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you have arrived at this site to donate, please check out our nifty new PalPal button to the right. It allows you to donate money via PayPal, MasterCard, Amex, and Discover.

Thank you!!!

What is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in lymphocytes of the immune system. They often originate in lymph nodes, presenting as an enlargement of the node (a tumor). Lymphomas are closely related to lymphoid leukemias, which also originate in lymphocytes but typically involve only circulating blood and the bone marrow (where blood cells are generated in a process termed haematopoesis). Find out more at the Leukemia and lymphoma Society website:
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls

What does Miriam have?

Miriam was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma four years ago and was in remission. On July 15, 2009 Miriam learned that her lymphoma had returned. Soon, she will be heading back to the hospital for chemotherapy and a stem cell procedure. She is being treated by Lymphoma Oncology specialists at UCLA.

What can I do?

* Donate money
* Donate items for the fundraiser
* Donate time
* Pray, send a card, be positive

How do I donate money?

You can donate money to the Miriam Commisso Foundation either via mailed check or online via Paypal, MC, Amex or Discover. Via pay pal button here on the site (Upper Right Hand Side!)

Or via checks made out to the Miriam Commisso Foundation:
11410 Missouri Ave #4
Los Angeles, CA 90025

What will the money go to?

First we will pay off her treatment at Fertile Hope (www.fertilehope.org) where her eggs are being frozen to ensure her fertility. Secondly the money will go off to pay for hospital and medical bills.

Is this tax deductible?

No, sorry. If you would like a tax-deductible donation please contact me at erinjourdan@gmail.com and we can try to figure something out.

How do I donate time?
Well Miriam is not going to be feeling well, so contacting her directly is probably not the best option. She is going to need fun, warmth, light, companionship, rides to the hospital, movies, help picking up prescriptions, flowers, and people to hang out with. Please join these sites to find out how you can sign up to help

http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/616251/

Can I donate items to the fundraiser?

Absolutely! Do you have anything such as:
Do you work someplace cool? Offer a tour!
Are you a talented artist? You know what to do!
Are you sexy as all hell? Maybe a "dinner date" would be fun.
Do you work in food/music/spirits/clothing/music/publishing? Please donate if you can.
Do you have an extra cool thing, a life experience that will uplift
and give joy (free tickets to a comedy show? A vacation share?
A famous friend? Something tantalizing?)

If so contact erinjourdan@gmail.com,
I will need items delivered to this address by Friday August 7th.
Miriam Commisso Foundation
11410 Missouri Ave #4
Los Angeles, CA 90025

When and where is the fundraiser?
Join as at

A FUNDRAISER Tea Party with Silent Auction and RAFFLE!
Check the blog at http://fundraiser4miriam.blogspot.com/
for amazing items!
4- 7 pm
Saturday August 15th
The Snyder Home
726 10th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(1st House North of Montana)
Garden Attire

FUNDRAISER4MIRIAM

2009-07-21T23:40:00.000-07:00

In olden times, people used to band together to help those in need. These days, it can be hard to get people together, to connect, or to find time to lend a helping hand. Miriam Commisso, who was studying for her MFT in marriage and family counseling at Pacifica found out recently that her lymphoma has returned. While studying, Miriam's dream was to work with cancer patients and those who are facing terminal illness. She was tireless in her quest to get the knowledge and training she needed to be able to best help others. Today, I am asking for those who have been recipients of her love and sunlight to help put on the best fundraiser California has ever seen.

Please contact me, Erin Jourdan at 323-393-ERIN or erinjourdan@gmail.com to talk about possible donations, gifts, and support.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Erin