Fundraising
I've made the decision to do my fundraising with the assistance of the NTAF Catastrophic Injury Program, which is one organization within the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF). The reason for this decision is primarily because my affiliation with NTAF will allow contributors to make tax deductible donations, which is not possible via a trust account with a bank. NTAF collects a small percentage of all transactions, but it is well worth it to me. They help set financial goals, write appeal letters, design flyers, prepare media kits, and provide guidance on preparing for fundraising campaigns. NTAF is a national 501(c)(3) organization that collects funds in honor of patients. It is the only organization of its kind that works with people to raise money for uninsured medically-related expenses associated with traumatic spinal cord injury. (Check the links page for an NTAF link if you want more information about this organization.) Please note that NTAF provides accountability! They will provide funds from the account for my medically-related and uninsured expenses only! ALL FUNDS IN EXCESS OF WHAT I NEED WILL BE REDISTRIBUTED AT MY DIRECTION TO OTHER PATIENTS WITH CATASTROPHIC INJURIES!!
To make a tax-deductible contribution via check, here's what you do:
1. Write a check payable to: NTAF Southeast Spinal Cord Injury Fund
2. (VERY IMPORTANT) Print in the memo section of the check: In Honor of Don Worley
3. Mail the check to: NTAF, 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120, Radnor, PA 19087
If you intend to mail your contribution, you should download this form Gift Form.pdf and mail it in with your check. However, the form is not mandatory as long as you've annotated the check correctly (in the memo section).
For a credit card contribution, call 800-642-8399 or go to http://www.catastrophicfund.org/ , search on "Worley" (the search box is on the left-hand side of the page) to get to my fundraising area on the NTAF website, and follow the instructions for making a donation. Note that for credit card transactions, NTAF requires a minimum donation of $25.00.
Funds are needed because there are so many things not covered by insurance, including alternative treatment options (such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and potentially - some day - stem cell treatment) and ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation. It will also allow me to purchase a number of items that I need to keep myself in good physical condition and avoid some of the more common problems that occur for paraplegics. Among the items I need are a wheelchair lift for the back of my truck and a special lift that will allow me to get in and out of a pool for water therapy.
If you'd like to raise money on my behalf, you can download a flyer with my story here: Dons Story.doc . It tells my story and also contains all the pertinent information about where to send donations.
WRISTBANDS!!
Make a donation and we'll send you a wristband. Available colors are solid red, solid blue, solid yellow, camouflage, and red/white/blue marble. Please send an email via the Contact Me page letting us know what color you'd like. We chose the wording "MY 2ND CHANCE" for the bands instead of the more specific "DON'S 2ND CHANCE" because we wanted the bands to apply to anyone who might need a second chance . . . at life, love, health, or whatever the situation may be. (Everyone needs a second chance at some time or another, right?)
