blogging for breathing

I've mentioned it here only once before around a month ago but in just two short weeks I will be participating in a 24-hour Blog-A-Thon. I'm getting both excited, anxious, nervous -- how in the world will I be able to stay up for 24 hours?! -- but constantly touched by the generosity of those around me.

I will be blogging once every 30 minutes for 24 hours straight to raise money for Global Links, a worldwide medical relief organization. Specifically, all donations and sponsorships I receive will go towards their nebulizer campaign. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know all about Ethan's struggle with RSV and the lingering respiratory issues that continue to hang over our heads. It took a while until I realized that in the end, I should be thankful: thankful we have the ability to have an in-home nebulizer, thankful for the medical care we were and are lucky enough to receive for Ethan, thankful that when my son wheezes it only takes a breathing treatment to clear him up. All around the world, so many aren't lucky...especially with asthma being on the rise. Far too often, babies and children are dying from asthma, RSV and other respiratory issues. Through their nebulizer campaign, Global Links will put nebulizers in the communities where they are needed so that no mother has to carry her child for miles, even days, hoping they can keep breathing long enough to make it to a shared community nebulizer -- if there even is one available. It's an honor to be blogging for Global Links and their nebulizer campaign and I am so excited to be a part of this.

What really took my breath away was how many wonderful people stepped in to help. For every $5 donation that I receive during the Blog-A-Thon, people are eligible to win a slew of great prizes. Big name companies -- Peter Rabbit Organics, Food For Life, Lollacup, Episencial -- they all stepped in to offer free prizes for these raffles. Etsy shopowners also offered their support and sent gift baskets. In the end, with two weeks to go until the Blog-A-Thon, there are sixteen amazing prizes to win. Sixteen prizes that I can't even put a value on, hundreds of dollars worth of prizes so generously donated by these wonderful people and companies...and fellow bloggers.

Alright, if you're a blogger, chances are you know Ashley of Under The Sycamore. I've loved her blog for some time now -- and what's not to love?! And chances are you've also heard of Ashley's three week online photography courses, or Snap Shops. I held out a little bit of hope that maybe Ashley would mention my Blog-A-Thon on Facebook or Twitter but she really came through beyond my wildest dreams. Ashley donated a free Snap Shop admission as a prize to be raffled off during the Blog-A-Thon! I can't even wrap my mind around her generosity but let me just put it out there: you know how you read Ashley's blog and think she's the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful person to exist? You're right. She really is.

Every dollar I raise goes directly to Global Links and their quest to provide nebulizers for those in need. Every $5 you donate puts you in the running for all of the fabulous prizes donated by some pretty awesome sponsors. Helping to spread the word is also invaluable -- which is why I put a button up for everyone to share whenever possible! For a complete list of prizes, more information, how to donate and for the code to share our button, please visit www.aisforalbuterol.com or click the button below: