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AniaR
07-15-2015, 01:40 AM
Question for mermaids. I know gofundme and asking for money is a very touchy subject. I hope that my reputation in the community has set me as someone who has very good discretion in terms of when to ask for money and when not to. In all the times I've asked for support for someone you've all rallied to help. Whether it be supporting my sick merling in the hospital, helping with the girl's empowerment workshop that happened, or even over a year ago when I got quite sick and couldn't afford my meds/treatments and some of you sent me a few donations (and I put you as sponsors on our website hehe!)


I am considering starting up a gofundme for a mermaid I know. For the time being to save any embarrassment or hurt feelings I will keep them anon. This particular mermaid is one who has helped others and the community since the start. I've never seen them ask for a thing, and they always do loads for others, support others, send gifts, share pages, teach others, and has been a catalyst for the community. I sincerely believe without this person we would not have a community as they were one of the founding people over a decade ago to bring mermaids together.


This particular mermaid... has an overwhelming amount of health issues. We share some of the same issues. One of our shared illnesses is ranked higher on the pain scale than end stage cancer. This mermaid- despite her pain and illness- is always helping the community. She had helped people in the community even when she is dealing with her own emergencies. She's also currently dealing with a lot of interpersonal stuff with people in her life which is making things seem very bleak. We all know that on top of intense illness, depression can be a killer. We all get sad from time to time, we all deal with the bad stuff... but when you wake up every day sick, dealing with difficult things, and being responsible for others... well that depression can take a toll


I would like to bring this mermaid here to Canada to spend some time with the Halifax Mermaids. We'd like to do with her very much what with did with my mer brother Chris, but with an extra special focus on building her up, helping her cope, and giving back to a person who has done so much for all of us.


The only cost associated with a trip like this would be the airline and associated baggage fees of sending a mermaid tail up. At last check the cost ranged between 1000-1200 CANADIAN which is 20% less for Americans when converted (so like 800-1000). Everything else, I would provide. (lodging, food, transportation, etc.)


Yes, I selfishly would like to see my friend. But our illnesses are a bit rare. IN fact, I've only ever met one other person IN person I could talk to about it. Having the validating of spending time with someone who also suffers with what you do... it's immeasurable. I want to send this mermaid home refreshed, validated, and I really want to demonstrate the community's love for her. This is a person who has done so much for so long. Sending her here would be a wonderful way to say thank you, and an amazing way to lift her spirits and show her we value her as a community leader.


I know money is tight all around. You're already doing awesome stuff to help others, and to help me with the merling. So please tell me honestly - because we don't want to set this up and just piss people off- if we did this, told you who it was, shared some of their story... would you consider donating a few bucks??? There are many deserving causes out there, many deserving mermaids too. I happen to think this cause is deserving... but I know it is hard to choose when presented with so many issues in the world!

(please don't name the mermaid)

Princess Kae-Leah
07-15-2015, 01:45 AM
I have a few guesses as to who it might be, and if it's one of the people I suspect, yes, I will consider donating or least plugging the cause on my mer-page. More than anyone I know what it's like to have health issues, and without naming names, one of my suspects lives in my state and is someone I have met in person once before, so yeah, I'd support it

Mermaid Freyja
07-15-2015, 03:10 AM
That sounds like a fantastic idea, and I'm definitely willing to help!
XOXO

AniaR
07-15-2015, 04:01 AM
I got an overwhelming response on Facebook, so I decided to launch the campaign:

http://www.gofundme.com/IonaMermaid

Princess Kae-Leah
07-15-2015, 04:12 AM
Shared on FB!

Mermaid Galene
07-15-2015, 07:09 AM
I will certainly help. I also struggle with a host of chronic health problems that have become more intense, convoluted, and dangerous lately. So I know exactly how hard it is to keep going, and I know how vitally important it is to have the support of people who care and understand. Every merson in this community owes Iona a debt of gratitude. I'm happy to have the opportunity to help make her world a little brighter.

Elodea the Mermaid
07-15-2015, 10:12 AM
I don't know either of you, but I'll definitely kick in a few bucks today. Health issues or not, I'd donate even if y'all were just planning a regular vacation. With the sheer volume of information you've made available to us free of charge it's only right. Good luck to both of you! :-)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

AniaR
07-15-2015, 10:33 AM
We just passed 1/3 rd mark!! She's gonna cry when she sees it!! Thank you everyone!!!

AniaR
07-15-2015, 11:57 AM
wooo 1/2 way point omg!!

Mermaid Freyja
07-15-2015, 12:13 PM
Yaaay!!!! :cheerleader:

MermaidAine
07-15-2015, 12:57 PM
Shared and donated. It's not much but every little bit helps, right? I know what it is to deal with chronic pain and the depression that can come along with it. Besides that, you two do so much for our community, just a small token of thanks to you both.

Seraphina Suds
07-15-2015, 12:59 PM
Donated and shared everywhere! This is a very noble cause and I'm so excited how quickly the donations are coming in!

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AniaR
07-15-2015, 02:06 PM
59% woo!!! http://www.gofundme.com/IonaMermaid

THANK YOU EVERYONE YOU ALL KICK MER BUTT

Lotus the Mermaid
07-15-2015, 02:18 PM
I'm so broke, but I'll do what I can! I'm SO happy you guys hit the 59% mark in less than 12 hours!! That's amazing!!! Prayers going up, too! Go, Raina, go! :D :cheerleader:

Winged Mermaid
07-15-2015, 04:36 PM
So filled up with all the love right now, I'm so grateful for every single donation, comment, and share <3 Thank you, thank you all so much!

Princess Kae-Leah
07-15-2015, 04:39 PM
We're more than halfway there! Pack your bags, Iona :)

MerEmma
07-15-2015, 07:36 PM
Wow, that is so awesome of you, Raina. What success, too, so quickly! <3

AniaR
07-15-2015, 09:06 PM
78% funded! we're almost there!!!

https://media3.giphy.com/media/HhWAB6k2AMdlS/200_s.gif

AniaR
07-15-2015, 11:16 PM
LAST UPDATE FOR TODAY
We are 20$ from our goal folks! Hard to believe we made this happen in less than 24 hours! Just a quick update: we did realize that gofundme takes a percentage AFTER the goal is met off the top. It'll be a little over 100$ fee. If anyone feels so inclined as to chipping in a little extra to cover the fee after we meet out goal... it would mean Iona would have the full 900$ at her disposal for plane tickets and plane fees (as opposed to only 800 or 780i...sh) . Thanks so much.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS DONATED AND SHARED SO FAR. What an awesome example of what our community can do.
Big fish kisses! - Raina

http://www.gofundme.com/IonaMermaid

CheshireKat
07-16-2015, 09:45 AM
I will happily donate, as I have a little extra saved up that I can sacrifice to help someone who's hurting. :) it just gives me more time to really nail down the specs of my tail! :)

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AniaR
07-16-2015, 10:28 AM
Thank you! We reached our goal but had to extend it slightly to cover the gofundme fees. Can't believe we reached it in less than a day!

Celaeno
07-16-2015, 06:18 PM
Can't believe we reached it in less than a day!

Clearly a testament to the community Iona has helped build here. <3