Personal Fundraising Page for Mary & Rich McLinden
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Mary & Rich McLinden are raising money for Kara's 2022 Walk'n'Run to Remember in memory of Timmy McLinden (1986-2002).

Fundraising Amount=$3,147.22 ; Goal=$2,500.00
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Please help us raise money for Kara's grief support services!

We are participating in this event in memory of our son, Timmy. After Timmy died, we came to Kara and were blessed to have been a part of  wonderful peer support groups for us and our other children.

Timmy was born on August 7, 1986, a seemingly healthy 6 lb. 4 oz. bundle of joy. As he went through infancy, we began to notice that he wasn't hitting certain "milestones" as early as his sister had. We were cautioned against comparing, being assured that every baby has its own timeline. But when he was about 6 months old, his pediatrician thought that maybe he should see a neurologist. Now.

We had no idea of the journey ahead, but as Timmy grew and gained very few physical skills and then gradually lost them, he was rarely without his engaging smile.

He lost the ability to grasp... still smiling.
He lost the ability to be upright in his special walker... still smiling.
He lost the ability to use the head controls on his electric wheelchair... still smiling. 
He lost the ability to hit the buttons on his electronic "talker"... still smiling.
He lost the ability to chew and swallow and was fed through a stomach tube... still smiling.
He lost the ability to breathe deeply enough to stay awake and had to use oxygen 24 hours a day... still smiling.
He eventually lost the ability to digest food and was fed first through a PIC line and eventually through a central line... still smiling. 

This picture was taken on Mother's Day 2002 during a family trip the weekend before he went into the hospital for the last time. He could barely keep his eyes open, but he was... still smiling.

He died on September 7, 2002... still smiling.


Thank you for supporting Kara through this fundraiser team! If you would like to participate in the event as a Walker or Runner, please be sure to REGISTER HERE

About Kara
As a nonprofit serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1976, Kara provides comprehensive bereavement support, crisis intervention and grief education to individuals and communities facing the difficult realities of death and loss. Guided by empathy and compassion, every day we offer caring support to children and adults and provide a space where those in grief find deep relief in the company of others. Through a time-tested and highly effective peer support model, over 200 volunteers compassionately serve children and adults on their journey through grief so they can move toward renewed hope and meaning. Services are designed to be accessible and fees are not charged for our peer-based support.  We are funded primarily by charitable donations and the heartfelt generosity of the community we serve.


 

Donors and Comments

Michael G Romeyn  gave $50.00 12/19/2022
Kathleen Kerns  gave $100.00 10/18/2022
Anonymous  gave $25.00 10/16/2022
Cathy Schiel  gave $50.00 10/14/2022
Aurora, Campton & Dad Salcedo-Mock  gave $125.00 10/14/2022
Elizabeth Keelan  gave $50.00 10/14/2022
Anonymous  gave $100.00 10/13/2022
Anonymous  pledged to give $100.00 10/13/2022
Janet McLinden  gave $200.00 10/13/2022
"Mary and Rich, thinking of you as you do the Kara walk, what a wonderful organization."
Caitlin Barber (Buckley)  gave  10/13/2022
"Thinking of Timmy and sending a virtual hug."
Anonymous  gave $100.00 10/13/2022
Tricia Slattery  gave $25.00 10/13/2022
"Thinking of you & your son Timmy as you do the annual Kara walk in his memory. 💙 Trish"
James Kerns  gave $100.00 10/13/2022
"Mary & Rich, Thanks for retelling Timmy’s story. Not that any of your family would ever forget him, but it’s good to hear the details again so that his memory lives on forever. Love to you both. Uncle Jim"
Anonymous  gave $25.00 10/13/2022
Anonymous  gave $400.00 10/13/2022
Socorro McGowan  gave $50.00 10/13/2022
"For Timmy and his happy smile"
Josie Lucatero  gave $50.00 10/13/2022
"God bless you and your family!"
Jessica Louise Tiedeken  gave $50.00 10/11/2022
"Thank you for sharing your story about Timmy and for the way that you shine out Christ's light every day."
Debra Uccelli  gave $100.00 10/11/2022
"Thank you for sharing your story, God Bless you and your family."
Gena Pass  gave  10/11/2022
"Thank you for sharing your story. What a beautiful smile!"
Theresa Romeyn  gave  10/11/2022
"In memory of Timmy and his smile"
Meaghan Brennan  gave $100.00 10/11/2022
"What a beautiful smile your little Timmy had."
Paula McLinden  gave $50.00 10/10/2022
Jpann Tjerese Kerna  gave  10/6/2022
"In loving memory of Timmy Mclinden"
Helen Phung  gave $50.00 10/6/2022
Monica Curtis  gave  10/6/2022
"3"
Carol Asborno  gave  10/6/2022
"You need to increase your goal - you have already passed it!"
Patricia Kerns  gave  10/6/2022
Sharon Marie Fair  gave $222.22 10/5/2022
"In memory of Timmy. It sucks that you died but I'm glad Ricky has a nice cousin in heaven and I can't wait to see you both!"