CCFA – Disney Creativity and Innovation Keynote Speaker

This is something most people will never know

(photo: The company above was founded to be the first ‘for-profit, non-profit’.. rather than ask for donations…)

The original goal was to raise $3,000 to donate to CCFA. In a matter of a few minutes, because of workplace ethics and creativity, the goal was upped to $1,000,000.

And on November 15, 2008, put that insane goal in writing here.

Since that time, the goal has been reframed to reflect the DNA of the goal setter.

The new goal is simply this:

Help raise money until a cure is found.

No amount, only an end goal.

A cure.

Switch to the Mind Blog

No One Really Cares (Reality)

Recently had a conversation with a business person about how personal life issues are really of no concern to most employers.

We sort of reminisced about a time, before the recession, when it at least felt like it (even though back then it was the same truth).

Our 11-year old yellow Lab is very sick. Again.

This may be the end.

And then to try and balance that with our son’s incurable disease, aging parents, other Family member’s health issues, and even our own health issues.

Knowing when to talk about things – while it doesn’t solve the world’s “problems”, it does provide moments of solace.

When To Talk About Crohn’s: Click here (only if interested) to read the article fro Everyday Health.

FYI Only

We all have a cause(s) we support, right?

If you’ve followed any of my five blogs, you’re probably already aware that one of the five remaining big goals I have before dying is to help raise money to give to those who can find a cure for IBD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

You also know, no matter how long you’ve been reading, that I’ve never asked for anything, except that you do something great.

I’m not asking you to make a donation. I have formed a for-profit corporation to make money in various ways, to give away. Sort of like a non-profit but radically different.

Non-profits ask for money. While the future cannot be predicted, and I may ultimately need to ask for donations, the vision is clear – do not ask for money, make money.

Then give it to smart, dedicated people who’ll work tirelessly to find the cure.

Once IBD is cured, we’ll move on the the next big cause.

Anyway, here’s a link from an email yesterday, if you want to give.

Childhood Diseases Stink

Childhood diseases stick. Adult diseases stink. And there are so many of both.

What is a caring person to do? We all know, “You can’t do it all”. So perhaps the best approach is simply to become an advocate and supporter of the disease that hits closest to home.

Last night my son (9) and I had dinner at Epcot, at The Walt Disney World Resort. We were celebrating “Wednesday”. Since our Catechism class was cancelled, it was a free night, and we spontaneously chose Epcot. We live very close by.

During the long walk to our car and then on the short drive home, my son couldn’t hold his need to go to the bathroom. He begged me to pull over even though we were four minutes from home. So I did.

There’s really no way to adequately describe what happened.

And last night, after finally arriving home, a faithful follower of these blogs wrote a note that couldn’t have been more timely. While I usually keep my spiritual side reserved for jeffnoel.org, I’d just like to say thank you for your prayers.

All of us have some sort of Hell we are going through. These jeff noel blogs (5 total) are the seeds of “therapy” for us to learn to help each other – more often.

Crohn’s Disease and Children

Our nine-year old son first developed unusual symptoms just before he turned four. Between his 4th and 5th birthday, he had:

Three colonoscopies
Barium x-ray
Full-Body CT Scan (45 minute x-ray)
Leukemia Test
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis test
Multiple other x-rays
Multiple other blood tests

Here’s an excerpt from an email I received yesterday as a member of CCFA, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America:

Through the eyes of a 21-year-old Crohn’s Disease sufferer:

Have you ever felt my pain?

Have you ever felt this hurt?

Have you ever wiped away my tears?

Have you ever measured the pains worth?

Have you ever sat in front of your food and prayed for it not to hurt?

Have you looked past the pupils to the thoughts array?

Have you ever tasted the smell of your favorite foods, for it to be taken away?

Have you ever just wanted the pain to go away?

Have you ever wished you could go back, to when there was no pain?

Have you ever hated the comments some have made?

Have you ever been afraid to eat, and ask yourself why?

Have you ever heard the saying you’ll be just fine?

Have you ever had pain just to sneeze?

Have you ever met anyone with Crohn’s Disease?

From the creator of the event: By having events like this, we are trying to raise as much money as possible to help cure Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis.

Thank you for reading this and following jeffnoel.com – Make it a great day. Enjoy your health.