A few weeks ago, I mentioned that fellow blogger Susan of The Great Balancing Act was diagnosed with lymphoma.  

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Despite being hospitalized for treatment, she has managed to write some pretty incredible posts about everything she’s been going through:

 

 

Susan is a former-journalist turned personal trainer, and her recent diagnosis leaves her in a bit of a financial lurch.  Treatment, while partially covered by Canada’s health care system, is still very, very expensive – approximately several thousand dollars a month.  Chemo is expensive, but as I’ve seen time and time again, our blog community is very powerful.  And loyal.  And willing to help out those in need.

Susan Banner 550x169

Janetha of Meals and Moves has organized a TREMENDOUS Live Auction & Bake Sale (see this post: HOW the auction will work!) for tomorrow, July 25, 2011.  The live auction and bake sale will begin at 8:00 AM (EST).  All funds raised through the auction will directly benefit Susan’s treatment.

 

There will be over ONE HUNDRED items to bid on, which is by far the largest and most extensive online auction I’ve ever seen.  Check out this list of blogger baked goods that will be up for sale. In addition, the companies below donated AMAZING gift baskets to the auction. 

 

  • Annie’s
  • Attune Foods
  • Aurorae Yoga
  • Bob’s Red Mill
  • Bondi Band
  • Chobani
  • Great Harvest
  • Handful Bra
  • Larabar
  • LeSportsac
  • Love Grown Foods
  • Marx Foods
  • Nasoya
  • Nourish Tea
  • NuNaturals
  • Peanut Butter & Co
  • Physique57
  • ReNew Life Probiotics
  • Stonyfield Organic
  • The Simply Bar

 

Beyond baked goods, items up for auction include a professional blog makeover, a lifetime recipe hosting service, autographed books and cookbooks from published bloggers, kitchen gadgets and dishes, clothing, accessories, and much more.  Awesome.

 

All bids will start at $10.  Again, all proceeds from the auction will go directly to Susan. 

 

Please check out Meals and Moves for information about how the auction will work, and get ready to bid, bid, bid at 8:00 AM tomorrow.  Online bake sales are really fun to participate in!  I will definitely be hitting up the bake sale.  I have my eye on the Chocolate Espresso Bites, as well as other goodies on the auction list!

{ 22 comments }

 

  • Justine July 24, 2011, 2:58 pm

    Best of luck to her! I’ll be sure to check out the items!

  • Katherine July 24, 2011, 4:16 pm

    I hope we can all raise a lot!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 24, 2011, 4:36 pm

    I’m so excited to see the success of this auction tomorrow, I know people are going to go all out for such a great cause.

  • Irene July 24, 2011, 4:40 pm

    I am curious about what her extra treatment costs are? I am canadian and know that all cancer treatment is covered by our universal health care system.I do wish her all the best..

    • Susan July 24, 2011, 6:02 pm

      Hi Irene! Thankfully my particular chemo treatments are covered by medicare, but those aren’t the only drugs I have to take. With no private health insurance, the drugs I need to literally keep me alive through chemotherapy (neupogen, innohep, etc) cost $5000 a month. It’s different across Canada, I’m in NB, here’s a good background on why coverage in my province just plain sucks: http://www.cancer.ca/new%20brunswick/how%20you%20can%20help/nb-take%20action/catastrophic%20drug%20coverage.aspx?sc_lang=en

      • Irene July 24, 2011, 6:35 pm

        Thanks for the education.I thought all provinces would have the financial drug coverage for extreme situations(i’m in Ontario).I’m sorry that you have to deal with a financial burden while you are fighting a major health challenge..All the best to you..

      • Jen July 26, 2011, 12:46 pm

        Wow Susan, I had no idea that NB doesn’t provide the same coverage as we get here in Ontario! That’s just wrong. I wish we could swap places so you could come to Ontario & I’d go live in NB so you could take advantage of the OHIP coverage that I’ll hopefully never need. Stay strong!!

  • The Healthy Engineer July 24, 2011, 5:17 pm

    I can’t even believe someone so young has to deal with this…it’s really great that people are coming together in a unique way.

  • 'Dee July 24, 2011, 5:19 pm

    I really love how the blog community comes together to help. Blogging is such a unique way to share a bit of one’s life and I’m amazed at Susan’s combination of bravery and eloquence as she deals with (and writes about) this very tough time in her life.

    Once again – thanks Caitlin for opening our eyes by bringing this message to your readers. You are a good-hearted soul.

  • Khushboo July 24, 2011, 5:38 pm

    Wow I admire Janetha for organising such a noble auction! I hope it is successful!

  • Susan July 24, 2011, 6:05 pm

    Thank you Caitlin!!!!!!!

  • Jenn's Adventures July 24, 2011, 6:11 pm

    Great post Caitlin–I don’t have time to write one, so I’m sending everyone to this post and look forward to hearing about the huge success!

  • Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo) July 24, 2011, 7:39 pm

    This is a great promo for a great cause- thank you Caitlin!

    And I can tell you there is nearer 200 items- I just went through each and every one and they range from great to spectacular! Now I need to get out my scheduler and make sure that I don’t miss any prizes that I want to bid on. This will hopefully help Susan a lot- she’s a girl who deserves it.

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) July 24, 2011, 8:04 pm

    I hope to score some blogger baked goods! I donated a book… not as exciting, but I hope someone bids on it!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife July 24, 2011, 8:10 pm

    okay COOL> I hope to get some good stuff!!

  • Jackie @ That Deep Breath July 24, 2011, 8:29 pm

    It’s amazing to see how much the community’s pulled together to create this amazing auction. I’m so proud to be a part of this!

  • Reenie July 25, 2011, 12:05 am

    I’ve been following her since you posted the first time <3

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] July 25, 2011, 12:13 am

    I think you’d love my espresso bites 🙂

    Thanks for promoting. I’m excited for TGFA!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) July 25, 2011, 1:37 am

    I am so excited for the auction tomorrow! I have an item up for bid, and will be bidding on a bunch of things myself.

  • Fundraising Event Ideas January 27, 2012, 2:04 am

    We find ourself coming to your blog more and more often to the point where our visits are almost daily now!

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