Yoga Gives

**Warning - long post with multiple yoga selfies. If either one of these things annoys you, please just CLICK HERE to donate to St. Jude!! 

Last year I participated in my first Yoga Gives for St. Jude Kids event. I was so moved by the day long yoga fundraiser I knew walking away from that day I wanted to do more than just participate.

Outside the Danny Thomas Pavillion last year at Yoga Gives.

St. Jude is one of the many many things I proudly brag that Memphis has. Not only does Memphis house the best children's cancer research hospital in the country, the people of Memphis support it. St. Jude is the hope that so many of these family need in their time of crisis and despair. From the moment patients and their families arrive at St. Jude, they do not have to play for anything; no deductibles, copays, worrying about eating, lodging, anything! In some cases, they don't pay for their travel to St. Jude. Not only does St. Jude pay for all the patients expenses, it operates totally on donations and fundraising. That means the cost of running the hospital, all the labs, meds including chemo, radiation, housing and staff are paid for people LIKE YOU!

 

I know a sweet sweet girl who has gotten to know almost every wall of that hospital. Carson is the reason I did this event last year. You can read her full story on her Caring Bridge site. She has to be one of the spunkiest, sweetest, bravest gals I know. This year and every year, I will do Yoga Gives in her honor.

Last years event pushed me. I had no clue how exhausted I would be. I didn't 'train' like I would a half marathon because, it was yoga. Well, 6 hours of yoga is nothing joke about. I was pretty sore the next day, but super proud of myself. The one day of endurance and pushing myself is nothing like what Carson and her family (and all St. Jude families) must have to go through every day.

 

This is where I need your help. First, please pray for Carson, her family and her team of doctors and nurses. Second, donate in the name of Team Carson. I have until the beginning of June to raise as much money as I can. I would love your help. Every dollar counts. Can you skip your Starbucks once this week and help the kids at St. Jude? Can you and your family decide together to forgo a dinner out this month and put that money toward research for St. Jude via a donation? Like I said, every dollar counts.

 

Other ways to help:

DONATE - This is my fundraising page: http://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/YogaGives/Events?px=3067324&pg=personal&fr_id=39539
Every penny counts. If you have $1, that's wonderful. $2, $5, $10?? It ALL helps.

1. Pass along the flyer! Can you put a flyer up around town for me? Ask at your church, hair stylist, childcare facility, gym, that would be a big help. Does YOU or your husband/wife/mother/father/next door neighbor/best friend have a business that could hang the flyer? I can get you as many as you need! Just tell me how many you want and I'll get them to you.

2. Come do yoga! If you enjoy yoga, consider participating in the event. You don't have to attend the entire day, just make the times you can! Raising $250 for the hospital gets you in for the day, an awesome tank top (think of it like your Hero Marathon bib), and a St. Jude bandanna, (which I still use when practicing).

3. Share the love. Could you share this post and see if any of your Facebook friends would like to donate or participate? If you know a yogi, pass along the website and flyer! Encourage them to come! I attended last year not knowing a soul and left with gaining some friends I am still in contact with!

4. Pray for all involved; organizing, participating, fundraising. Everyone could use your positive thoughts, vibes and prayers!

If you made it this far, thank you! If you can't give, please pass the word. Someone you know might be able to make the difference in the lives of the children of St. Jude.