Team Karavite
Let's Save Some Lives!
Wish Granting ~ U.S.
~ Our Favorite Resources ~
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On May 9, 1980, Ron Dobson, his wife Janet, and their two children, Tim and Jennifer, were traveling on Ron’s private airplane to a wedding in Canada when tragedy struck. Ron’s oil pump froze up, and the plane crashed. Tragically, Ron and the children were killed and Janet was critically injured.
In August of 1980 L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive, and other dear friends held a memorial Golf Outing to raise scholarship funds in the children’s names, raising around $2300 that first year. From that humble beginning has evolved what is now today The Rainbow Connection, a Michigan based 501 © (3) charity dedicated to making dreams come true for Michigan children who are literally fighting for their lives. Janet Dobson, wife of Ron and mother of Tim and Jennifer sits on the community based Board of Directors.
Since 1985 over 3200 of Michigan children with life threatening illnesses have experienced their most special dream come true.
Today the Rainbow Connection’s annual budget is 2.3
million dollars.
Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish®vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. In the United States and its territories, on average, a wish is granted every 34 minutes. They believe a wish experience can be a game-changer. This one belief guides them and inspires them to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids they serve.
Education, Support Services and Caring Communities Await You!
Wish Granting ~ Michigan:
Blood Donation:
Aplastic Anemia & MDS:
Nothing helped Nick more in the hospital than dreaming up items for his mancave!
Give Blood!
Transfusions are Life to Someone Awaiting a Transplant!
Help Hope Live brings communities together in tax-exempt fundraising efforts to help patients and families pay medical bills and access treatments. Thousands of patients each year face severe financial challenges because they need a transplant. For many, there is a network of support in their community that is eager to help. Contact them to start a campaign for a loved one in need!
When Nick became ill, we just dove into what needed to be done to get him well. People came out of the woodwork willing to do anything necessary to help; however, the truth is, you don't have any idea what you need. Some dear friends of ours set up a campaign through HelpHopeLive and it was a Godsend! We didn't realize how much we needed this gift, and it gave people an opportunity to help us. Check out the link to our interview for more about how our friends and family, through HelpHopeLive, helped us.
Help Hope Live:
For many years, I had been biking to raise money for Make-A-Wish. My breath left my body when Nick's doctor told us he "qualifies for a wish"... It never occurred to me that we would be on the receiving end (and not a place you ever want to be). This photo was taken at the finish line the day before we checked Nick into U of M for his chemo and transplant. Typically, the medal is given by a wish child, this year it was given by my own son. The most emotional twist of fate one can imagine!