Believe for Erik

I am kicking off 2012 with a month-long soapy fundraiser for a special young man.

In fact, he is a young man that I do not even know. 

You see, I have a dear friend named Cindy. We worked together years ago in a doctor's office. She married David, and those two eventually moved down to SC where Cindy is from. Through the blessing of e-mail for several years and now Facebook, we get to keep up with each other pretty well.

Cindy is special just because of the loving and hilarious person that she is, but also because both she is my cancer-surviving hero. Er, heroine. :)

So what does this have to do with a special young man, you ask? Well this young man Erik is quite special to Cindy. And well, if you are special to a dear friend of mine, there is a good chance you will become special to me.

Erik

I am going to let Cindy tell you about Erik in her own words:

Erik is 17 years old. He was diagnosed with meduloblastoma at 8 years old. He had surgery to remove that tumor, went through chemo and radiation, and kicked cancer's butt. He had 2 skin cancers removed a few years later and all was good. 

Then he had a desmoid tumor appear on his neck which they removed surgically in October 2009. The tumor was benign, but it came back in about 6 months so they surgically removed it again and he started chemo once again in April 2011. 

Thanksgiving 2011 he experienced a dull headache, so they called the hem/onc clinic and they did a CT scan where a mass was discovered. He was admitted to MUSC Hospital and had surgery December 7, 2011, to remove the tumor. It was a high grade glioma, so he will start chemo and radiation again on January 3. 

Erik is the son of Ed and Barbara Simao and they live in Summerville, SC {just outside of Charleston}. He is a senior in high school at Ashley Ridge. He wants to be a pharmacist upon graduating. 

Aside from Erik being diagnosed with cancer again, Ed was laid off from his job the week of Thanksgiving. Luckily they have good insurance as Ed retired from Cigna, but unfortunately everyday life is sooooo expensive and they still have household bills any all money raised will go 100% to household bills. 

Erik is the type of child who is rare, he always puts others before himself and wants everyone to be happy. From the first moment I met Erik, I knew instantly that he was something special as he and I have a special bond......we are both cancer survivors as is my daughter, Kendall. Erik refers to my daughters as his sisters from another mother as they absolutely adore him. Thank you in advance for all of your prayers and support. Always remember to "Believe for Erik"!

Okay, I really hope I get a chance to know this kid one day! 

When I saw on the Prayers Erik Simao Facebook page that they were looking for more fundraising ideas, I knew right away that I wanted to dive into another soapy fundraiser on his behalf.

The Lord has been so good to help me make good use of my hobby, and I am praying that this one will be just as fruitful as the one I did for the Hensons.

So if you did not participate in the last fundraiser, you may be wondering how this all works. I am happy to tell you!

First, know that 70% of my soap sales are being donated to Erik and his family.

Second, go to my Bright Star Soaps Facebook page and look for the photo album titled "Believe for Erik" to see what is available for purchase. The caption for each photo will tell you what the soap is, how much it costs, how many are available for purchase, and whether or not more can be made if it is sold out.

Third, keep in mind I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mama to four dear children, one who is about to turn 9 months old. My hands are a little bit busy. :) I will be making and adding new soaps to the album as quickly and as often as I am able. Check the album frequently! If you "like" the Bright Star Soaps Facebook page, then you will be updated as soon as new items are added.

How do you order?

You can leave a comment on the photo of what you want to order. You can also e-mail me at brightstarsoaps@gmail.com and tell me exactly what you would like to buy. 

How do you pay?

Checks and cash are fine, and you can also use Paypal to pay securely with your debit card or credit card.

How do you get your soaps?

If you live local (to me), then we can work out a delivery/drop off. If you do not live locally, then I will mail your soaps to you. Often times priority mail is used. Postage will be added into your total. If you are local and prefer to have your soaps mailed, then I am happy to do that.

Questions? Just ask!

Ways you can help:

*Buy soaps :)

*Pass on the links to this blog post and to the Bright Star Soaps Facebook page

*"Friend request" the Prayers Erik Simao Facebook page to get updates on Erik and to offer him and his family encouragement

*Pray for Erik, that God would use him and his circumstances for His glory, that he would have complete healing this side of heaven, that peace would replace anxiety

Please prayerfully consider how you might be a part of this fundraiser and even a part of this young man's life!