Want to be a part of a Christmas miracle?

Many of you may already know this story but many of you may not. My step-sister's little girl has been fighting a rare genetic disease called primary hyperoxaluria and has been waiting for her turn to come for a kidney and liver transplant. Her Christmas miracle came this week and she received her transplants!!! She still has a long way to go and her brother will eventually need the transplants too (he has the same disease). With the hard work of many volunteers they have managed to raise almost $73,000 but they still need to reach their goal of $100,000. So close yet so far away. I will never be able to help you understand their story the way their blog does. I ask that you please take the time to look at their blog: http://www.givehopetobensonandclaire.blogspot.com/

They have started a new campaign that a few people have emailed to me. I thought I'd share it with you:

What could you do with a dollar? Well you could buy a...

Junior Bacon Cheese Burger,

A Pack Of Gum

King Size Candy Bar

1/3 Gallon Of Gas

Cold Soda

It doesn't seem like you can do very much…most of the time…

I say "most of the time" because I would like to share a true story about some dear friends of mine. Claire and Benson, brother and sister, were born with a very rare genetic disorder, Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1, and both will require kidney and liver transplants. Claire, the most critical, is on the Mayo Clinic transplant list, and will hopefully receive transplants soon. She was three months old when she became dependent on dialysis, and is on dialysis 3 hours a day, just to live another day. Her brother, Benson, will receive his transplants at a later date.

Claire and Benson are in need of a miracle!

Would you consider helping to make a miracle for two sick children by making a one dollar donation today? If your answer is "yes," keep reading. If your answer is "no," please at least forward this appeal to the people in your address book, and allow them the opportunity to help make a miracle.

It is estimated that the family will face expenses, before-and after-transplants, greater than $100,000 after insurance. We have teamed up with Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) -a premier national charity, to raise funds. 100% of every dollar contributed is used for the kid's transplant-related expenses.

We have already found that people do have kind and giving hearts, but we are still far from having raised the funds needed. Many fund-raising activities are being organized by our primary source of volunteers with the entire community. Now we need your help. All we are asking is that you go to http://www.COTAforBensonandClaireS.com/ to learn more about Benson and Claire, and to make a one dollar donation. You see, if this email reached 10,000 people and each person donated just one dollar, that would be $10,000 raised for these beautiful children that are in need of help.

So what could you do with a one dollar? With just one dollar you have the power to bring a miracle into the lives of Claire and Benson. I invite you to click on the "Donate Now" button at http://www.COTAforBensonandClaireS.com/ and follow the progress of this miracle to which you have contributed.

I also ask that whether you are able to participate or not, please forward this opportunity to your circle of Internet influence and invite your family, friends and co-workers to learn more.

I hope this story has touched your heart, because it is so close to mine. Thank you for helping us spread the word and for giving hope to Benson and Claire.

Warmly,

Cortney Heintz