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GiveForward has raised $91,362,283 for medical and other causes

<img height="1" width="1" border="0" alt="" src="http://googleads.g.doubleclick .net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/1038084553/?frame=0&random=1395470974559&cv=7& fst=1395470974559&num=1&fmt=1&label=x0HrCKnqrQQQydP_7gM&guid=ON&u_h=655&u_w=1164 &u_ah=630&u_aw=1164&u_cd=24&u_his=24&u_tz=-300&u_java=true&u_nplug=2&u_nmime=4&f rm=0&url=http%3A//www.giveforward.com/p/fundraisers-for-individuals/personal-don ation-website&ref=http%3A//www.google.com/url%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3 Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D3%26ved%3D0CE0QFjAC%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.give forward.com%252Fp%252Ffundraisers-for-individuals%252Fpersonal-donation-website% 26ei%3DmC4tU_n0GIK6yQHwj4EY%26usg%3DAFQjCNG7zvHSGRV7a06s2IriIR5qVtwo0w" /> Personal Donation Website

Why I started my own personal donation website Many people may feel uncomfortable asking for money from friends or family or st arting a personal donation website for themselves. However, when an unexpected illness brings in mounting medical bills, starting a personal fundraiser can be way to share your story, your updates, and your milestones. A personal donation website can also allow friends and family to show support, and help them answer the question, how can I help? Karen Spies started a personal donation websiteKaren Spies, an entrepreneur and mother of two explains why she started an online personal donation website and h ow it worked for her. When I went to the doctor and heard that I had to have an emergency hysterectomy in 4 weeks, I was beyond panicked. I had been self-employed single mom scraping by for years- without health insurance for myself. To think that I had to submi t to major surgery and be incapacitated for at least a month was terrifying. I t alked with my boyfriend and he suggested working longer hours. Yet, I had alrea dy thrown my back out two times and hurting myself again would delay the surgery I went home and called a friend to help me calm down. My friends wife got on the phone and said to me Karen, this is no big deal. How much money do you need? $10, 000? Just get 100 people to donate $100 each and you ll be fine . That statement was a turning point for me. I realized that I was not in combat against a huge adve

rsary but that I really could go to my community and be cared for. I went to the hospital to talk with the financial counselor. When he told me th e deposit that I had to put down to schedule the surgery, I felt pretty capable, but when he told me the total amount that it was going to cost, I felt like I w as falling down a well. I walked out in a daze and sat in my car for 10 minutes. I couldn t believe that I had to let someone cut me open, that it was urgent and that I had to pay SO much for this horrible experience. When I told my mother I planned to start a personal donation website, she was of fended. You are going to beg your friends for money? she asked. It s not begging! etorted. I was asking people that I knew and loved, people that I had been ther e for, if they would step up and help me. Yes, I was embarrassed. Yes, it was painful. Yes and way to get this done. I felt as if it was the only I r

We had a successful fundraiser and raised more than enough to cover the cost of surgery. The most amazing thing about my personal donation website were the comments and encouragement that I received both on the GiveForward site and in person. In co ntrast to my mother s opinion, I had people that I didn t even know telling me about their similar experiences and people who had not been present in my life for ov er 20 years stepping up to help. People were thanking me for my vulnerability, a nd people told me that they were grateful that I had given them the opportunity to help. Truly it wasn t about the money. In fact, I think that the comments that people put on the site when they made their donations were the most healing part of my whole surgery experience. To know how many people love you is an invaluab le gift. In this virtual age, sometimes we think that humanity is cold and binary. We hea r the propaganda that technology is destroying community. Those naysayers don t un derstand that the power of human connection is so strong that it is fostered by any communication, regardless of distance or media. They don t understand how a Mi dwestern girl in Boulder Colorado had people all over the world reaching out to connect to her and support her. The ability of personal donation websites like G iveForward to mobilize community is truly a way in which we can be there for eac h other. If you have a medical need, I would strongly suggest that you step forward and l et people who care know what s going on with you. Don t let shame stop you from feel ing the love that people in your life have for you. No one can feel good about h elping if there isn t anyone asking for help. Start a Personal Donation Website CREATE a fundraiser or Learn more More Information about Fundraisers for Individuals Resources CREATE a fundraiser

Top Fundraisers

Help for Patrick and Jess

88% Raised: $882,584 Goal: $1,000,000

Sean and Becca Lewis Fund

100% Raised: $132,967 Goal: $120,000

Team Jake

94% Raised: $94,340 Goal: $100,000

Alonso Strong

100% Raised: $92,400

Goal: $1,000

Shehee Family Fund

100% Raised: $91,614 Goal: $70,000

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