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Silversea’s Ellen Bettridge Charity Request – No Free Cruise, But You’ll Feel Good!

I met with Ellen Bettridge, Silversea’s President of the Americas at Cruise Shipping Miami last month. I really enjoyed getting to know her and really love her enthusiasm, warmth and incredibly high energy. You just have to feel good after spending time with her (and I think it may spell some good things for Silversea).

But this article is not about Silversea, but the woman behind it.

The other day Ellen called me and let me know that she is a candidate for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Man & Woman of the Year and asked for my support in her efforts to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s efforts to find a cure for blood cancers and to assist patients and families as they battle this disease.

The top-rated (I checked!) Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary (nonprofit) health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $814 million in research specifically targeting blood cancers.

Ellen is very transparent that her candidacy is about caring…and money. Every dollar Ellen raises is a vote for her. She has until June 8, 2013 to reach her goal of $100,000. You can make a 100% tax-deductible donation to Ellen online on her fundraising page.

Quoting Ellen:

“I know how blessed my family is that our children, Grace and Abby, are healthy and have never had to battle anything more serious than a nasty flu bug. Thank goodness! To be honest I was reluctant to participate because I didn’t think I had time.

I then met two survivors Nour Aboussali and Amanda Lawson, I knew I had to participate. Nour, is a feisty funny little boy who was diagnosed when he was only five-and-a-half-years-old and spent his sixth birthday in the hospital receiving chemo. But, through it all, he has remained strong and vibrant. He is now in remission and very thankful to be alive. Amanda, is a Lymphoma survivor. After two years of aggressive IV chemo, several spinal injections of chemo, injections to her legs, losing her long brown hair, hospital admissions, transfusions, and three surgeries, she is now six years cancer free.

I was further inspired to support these efforts by the amazing story of the cure found by utilizing the AIDS virus saving the life of six year old Emma. If you have minute take a look at this amazing story.”

You know a few years ago I was a bit put off by Silversea’s opt-out charity efforts, but this is different. It is purely an opt-in charity request…and not really associated with Silversea, but Ellen’s personal commitment. A little difference, but an important one.

Your donation will not get you a free Silversea cruise or even an upgrade. But you will be helping not only with the fight against cancer, but some pretty amazing children.

That just might get you to feel good.

Thanks Ellen!